Selected as one of the Top 10 oral presentations at the 36th International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) World Congress:
"Keeping Skin Soft" suggests a new possibility for guiding aging cells back to a youthful state.
October 2, 2026
ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka, President: Hidetoshi Segi) presented its research findings on a new anti-aging care study that shows how skin "softness" controls the state of aging cells at the 36th International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) World Congress, held in Perth, Australia from September 28 to October 1, 2026. This presentation was selected as one of the Top 10 presentations in the Basic Research category of oral presentations.
Presentation Title
The Softer the Better: "A Soft Environment Surrounding Sensescent Cells can Reversibly Rejuvenate Dermal Fibroblasts"
The soft environment surrounding aging cells reversibly rejuvenates dermal fibroblasts.
Presenter
Masatoshi Haga1, Hiroaki Takeuchi1, Michiru Kuroki1, Jun Sakuma2, Mariko Okada3, Noriko Suenobu Suenobu1
1: ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
2: Kyoto Institute of Technology, Department of Textile Science
3: Osaka University Protein Research Institute
*Presenter on the day: Masatoshi Haga
Result summary
As we age, our skin hardens and its structure changes. Furthermore, it has become clear that senescent cells accumulate in the skin, affecting its overall health. However, much of the research has focused on senescent cells themselves, and the impact of their surrounding environment on their condition has not been fully understood. In this study, we discovered that the condition of senescent cells in the skin changes depending on their environment. In particular, we confirmed that placing senescent cells in a soft environment reduces their biological age and improves aging-related cellular conditions. We also identified a combination of Houttuynia cordata extract and algae-derived phytoexosomes as a cosmetic ingredient that mimics the signals of this "soft environment." Based on these findings, we propose a new approach to anti-aging care that focuses not simply on removing senescent cells, but on improving the environment surrounding them to guide them toward a healthier state.
About IFSCC
The IFSCC (The International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists) is an international organization established in 1959 with the aim of promoting the development of cosmetic science and technology and fostering international exchange. Currently, it comprises cosmetic chemists' societies from around the world and is comprised of many cosmetic researchers and chemists.
The IFSCC Congress is a forum where cosmetics researchers and technicians from around the world gather to present and discuss the latest research findings. It is positioned as one of the world's largest international academic conferences, bringing together cutting-edge research results from around the globe and driving the advancement of cosmetics science.