About the Webinar

The skin is a fundamental organ of the human body, reflecting the diversity and uniqueness of each individual. Melanin is a natural pigment that contributes to the coloring of hair, eyes and skin. All skin types follow the same complex melanin production process, called melanogenesis. Each skin tone is a unique blend of eumelanin (dark, brown pigments) and pheomelanin (yellow, orange pigments), in varying quantities, which are responsible for the vast spectrum of human skin colors. Studies have shown that there are certain qualitative and quantitative specificities in the distribution of melanin in the skin, depending on populations of different origins. Many biological as well as external factors influence the physiological production of melanin. People who do not protect themselves from the sun are more prone to pigmentation disorders. The same applies to people suffering from hormonal imbalances or severe inflammation, as pigmentation disorders are more frequent in these people than in those who do not. Left untreated, these phenomena can lead to skin pigmentation problems such as age spots, brown macules and post-inflammatory marks. These pigmentation issues affect a major part of world’s population whatever their natural skin tone. As research delves deeper into the understanding of pigmentation in all its diversity, a holistic approach seems essential to targeting pigmentary disorders. In this presentation, we will decipher the various biological mechanisms that need to be addressed when taking a cosmetic approach to the specific problems of melanin over-production or accumulation, responsible for dark marks and skin tone heterogenicity.​​​​​​​

About the Presenter 

Isabelle CASTIEL- HIGOUNENC graduates as a pharmacist Doctor from the University of Paris XI. She gathers 33 years of experience in the Dermo-cosmetic Industry. After a 3 years’ Ph. D in collaboration with Leiden University (Holland) and Galderma, focused on Skin Barrier function and skin lipids, she led for 4 years the skin pharmacokinetic Department of Pierre Fabre Cosmetic.
Since 1997, she took several positions at L’Oréal R&I in France: Successively as Manager of a Skin Care Research Laboratory (ceramides, stem cells), head of the collaboration program on menopause with Laval University (Quebec), head of Oral Cosmetic Research for L’Oréal (Innéov portfolio, Nestlé/L’Oréal joint Venture), and head of all collaborations with Galderma (Nestlé/L’Oréal Joint Venture). These years in Research teams drove to the release of 28 scientific publications.
 
Since 2014, Isabelle joined the R&I Communications & Engagement Department, in charge of the group scientific experts’ communication strategy. She focuses mainly on skin health related topics such as Photoprotection, Pigmentation, Microbiome and Aging. In 2022, she has been appointed as IFSCC Praesidium committee member on behalf of SFC (Société Française de Cosmétologie). She organizes the 2025 IFSCC congress in Cannes as Chair of Science.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-castiel-higounenc-08b141b/​​​​​​​