Research at the Chair of Cosmetology focuses on searching for innovative, multifunctional and safe active ingredients for cosmetics. The main focus of the research are plant extracts or natural compounds protecting the skin from the harmful impact of various environmental factors. The conducted research involves also studies on new phytochemicals with potential application in skin cancer prevention and treatment.
The research is conducted in collaboration with several international partners, including the National Medical University in Almaty (Kazakhstan), the National and Kapodistrian University in Athens (Greece), the University in Innsbruck (Austria), and Tbilisi State Medical University (Georgia). The Chair is also involved in long-term collaboration with the Pharmacognosy Department of the Medical University in Lublin.
Contact: Katarzyna Gaweł-Bęben, PhD, DSc., Assoc. Prof. kagawel@wsiz.edu.pl
Scientific and research projects financed from external sources:
GreenCosmIn – Green chemistry and biotechnology approaches for the development of nature-based cosmetics.
The project, coordinated by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, will be carried out by an international consortium of academic centers and commercial institutions from EU countries including Poland, France, Germany, Greece, Austria and partner countries such as Mongolia and Tunisia. The UITM team implementing the Project includes Prof. Kazimierz Głowniak, Prof. Katarzyna Gaweł-Bęben and Dr Beata Antosiewicz-Klimczak from the Department of Cosmetology and Dr Magdalena Biesiadecka from the UITM Center for Biomedical Research and Services.
The aim of the project is to establish a close, multi-sectoral network of cooperation between academia and commercial entities to implement environmentally friendly approaches of natural resource exploitation for the extraction of natural resources for cosmetics. In particular, the project will develop methods of so-called green extraction and the use of biotechnological methods to enrich natural cosmetic ingredients. The project will also aim to transfer knowledge between commercial and academic units, as well as less scientifically developed countries such as Mongolia, Tunisia and French Polynesia. In practice, the project involves mobility between consortium partners, as well as joint research and educational activities (organization of joint workshops and seminars, participation in scientific conferences).
The UITM team is responsible for studying the biological activity of the natural cosmetic raw materials developed under the project and optimizing their use in the formulation of various types of cosmetics.
Project updates may be followed on the website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greencosmin/
Project Leader: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
Partners (Universities):
University of Remis (France)
University of Orléans (France)
Technical University of Munich (Germany)
Medical University of Lublin (PL)
UITM (PL)
University of Sfax (Tunisia)
University of French Polynesia (Tahiti)
National Mongolian University of Medical Sciences (Mongolia)
Partners (companies):
NatExplore (France)
LeStudium (France)
Austrian Drug Screening Institute (Austria)
PharmaGnose (Greece)
Phytowelt (Germany)
Implementation period: 2024-2028
Financing: Horizon Europe, Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) – Staff Exchange program
Extracts from Alcea rosea var. nigra with AHA acids as innovative ingredients of chemical peels.
Project Manager: Katarzyna Gaweł-Bęben, PhD, DSc., Assoc. Prof. kagawel@wsiz.edu.pl
The aim of the project is to develop an innovative cosmetic raw material made from black mallow flowers (Alcea rosea var.nigra), rich in natural active ingredients with antioxidant, soothing and brightening properties for the skin and using it in the formulation of a prototype cosmetic – chemical peeling with anti-hyperpigmentation properties, designed for all skin types. The unique technology of producing the cosmetic raw material will ensure the stability of its active substances. Both the raw material and the cosmetic prototype will undergo in vitro, apparatus and application tests confirming the safety and effectiveness of their use.
Implementation period: 02.2021 – 10.2021
Financing: Podkarpackie Centrum Innowacji (PCI)
Cosmetic Valley – International Scientific and Implementation Cooperation at the Cosmetology Department
Project Manager: Prof. Kazimierz Głowniak, Ph.D. kglowniak@wsiz.edu.pl
The aim of the project is to establish international cooperation and joint implementation of a research project in the field of natural cosmetology. The research includes, among others, the possibility of using plant species growing in Kazakhstan as raw materials in cosmetic preparations, the use of state-of-the-art methods in analysis of biological activity and the safety of using the raw materials, as well as preparation of prototype cosmetic preparations. An important part of the project is also the preparation of innovative teaching materials, introducing students from partner universities to the secrets of natural cosmetology.
Project partners are: the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens [Greece]; the Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan [Kazakhstan]; the University of Innsbruck, Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry [Austria]. Implementation period: 2018–2021
Financing: Program of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA)
Research financed from the means of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education:
Plant extracts as multifunctional ingredients in skin lightening preparations
Project Manager: Katarzyna Gaweł-Bęben, PhD, DSc., Assoc. Prof. kagawel@wsiz.edu.pl
The contemporary cosmetic market seeks effective and safe-to-use hyperpigmentation reducing substances. A particularly interesting source of such substances are plant extracts, which due to the complex composition and synergism of the action of individual components can provide additional effects of the cosmetic preparation beside just lightening. The aim of the research planned in the project is to analyze plant extracts in terms of their possible use as multifunctional components of cosmetics against hyperpigmentation. The research is carried out in cooperation with employees of the Department of Pharmacognosy with Laboratory of Medicinal Plants at the Medical University of Lublin (Virginia Kukuła-Koch, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof.; Krystyna Skalicka-Woźniak, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof.).
Implementation period: 2019–2024
Search for new natural preparations with antimicrobial activity
Project Manager: Anna Głowniak-Lipa, Ph.D.aglowniak@wsiz.edu.pl
The aim of the project is to investigate antibacterial and antifungal activity against a broad spectrum of pathogenic microbial species and human microbiota for many plant extracts isolated from herbs from Poland and other geographical zones in order to select species with the highest biological potential.
Implementation period: 2019-2020
