Interest in natural cosmetics is on the rise year after year, prompting natural cosmetics producers to employ increasingly advanced methods in obtaining the right cosmetic raw materials. Evaluating the safety of these raw materials and scientifically verifying the effectiveness of new formulations is also a key priority. As a result, close collaboration with scientists is essential. These vital discussions surrounding natural cosmetics took place during the second edition of the international scientific conference known as the “Natural Cosmetics International Meeting,” held from September 20 to 22 at the UITM campus in Kielnarowa.

The primary aim of the conference is to establish a connection between cosmetic and cosmetic raw material producers and the scientific community, promoting a deeper mutual understanding of their respective needs and circumstances – says Dr. Hab. Katarzyna Gaweł-Bęben, prof. UITM and the Director of the Cell and Tissue Culture Laboratory at the Medical College of UITM. She highlights the recent surge in the popularity of raw materials like bioferments, obtained through bacterial fermentation. Prof. Gaweł-Bęben added that there is an intriguing shift towards utilizing previously overlooked food production waste, such as fruit or vegetable peels, now acknowledged as a substantial source of natural raw materials.

The conference drew an impressive crowd, boasting over 120 attendees. These participants represented a diverse spectrum, hailing from various Polish universities  from cities such as Kraków, Warsaw, Lublin, Wrocław, Toruń, Łódź, Kielce, Białystok, Szczecin, Siedlce, Gdańsk, Zabrze, along with the international guests from countries including Austria, Greece, India, Turkey, Mongolia, Germany, Australia, Croatia, and Ukraine. The inaugural lecture was delivered by Prof. Günther K. Bonn, who represented the University of Innsbruck and the Austrian Institute for Drug Research. His insightful speech delved into the collaborative dynamics between industry and research entities in the Austrian market. The conference’s commencement was graced by Prof. Agata Jurkowska-Gomułka, Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation at UITM, underscoring the university’s steadfast commitment to merging the realms of science and industry over the years.

The conference agenda comprised five panel sessions and 68 posters. In addition, participants had the privilege of engaging in three distinctive workshops, focusing on topics ranging from working with 3D models of human tissues to substances supporting the skin microbiome, and the principles governing the preparation of plant extracts for cosmetics.

Distinguished individuals were recognized for their contributions, with the scientific committee bestowing awards for outstanding posters. Among the recipients were P. Cisło, M. Chmura, P. Lechwar, M. Lasota, K. Gaweł-Bęben, P. Machała, A. Magiera, A. Kicel, MA Olszewska, H Żbikowska, J. Popiół, M. Kabat, K. Sułkowska-Ziaja, A. Szczepkowski, B. Muszyńska, E. Pękala, and A. Gunia-Krzyżak. Notably, Magdalena Lasota (UITM) received the PSE award for the best poster, while Weronika Skowrońska (WUM) was lauded for delivering the best presentation.

The conference also played host to representatives from companies specializing in the acquisition, analysis, and production of natural cosmetic raw materials and finished products, including Mattek, Merck, Biomedica, Janssen Cosmetics, Balia spa, Orcideo, and Urtica Technologies.

The organiser of the Natural Cosmetics International Meeting conference is the University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszów. This conference came to fruition through the unwavering efforts of scientists employed at the Department of Cosmetology at UITM, led by the Head of the Department, Prof. Ph.D. Kazimierz Głowniak, Dr. Katarzyna Gaweł-Bęben, a professor at UITM, and Dr. Beata Antosiewicz-Klimczak.

The conference was  co-financed by the state budget under the program of the Minister of Education and Science called “Excellent Science” (project no. DNK/SN/549082/2022, co-financing amount PLN 112,200.00).

More information about the conference can be found HERE.