Shiseido has been awarded the First Prize among 138 entries at the 2026 China Cosmetic Science and Technology Conference, organized by the China Association of Fragrance Flavour and Cosmetic Industries (CAFFCI) in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, from May 20 to 22. The company also received a Second Prize at the 2026 China Fragrance and Flavour Science and Technology Conference in Ji'an, Jiangxi Province, from April 21 to 23. All six papers submitted by Shiseido across both events were recognized, highlighting the company's contributions to technological advancement in China's cosmetics industry.
Award significance
This marks Shiseido's 10th First Prize win in the conference's history. Two of the awarded papers, including the First Prize winner, were fully led and developed by Shiseido's local research center in China, demonstrating the strength of its global R&D network. The company plans to apply these cutting-edge findings to the development of global brands such as SHISEIDO and ELIXIR.
First Prize research focus
The winning paper, titled "Discovery of a Novel Factor Controlling Skin Aging: Dynamic Mechanism of Telocyte-Mediated WNT Signaling Pathway Regulation for Dermal-Epidermal Homeostasis," was presented by Dr. She Chen, a researcher at Shiseido China Innovation Center. The study focuses on skin aging, which is known to progress due to disrupted intercellular communication. Telocytes (TCs) have recently been identified as key players in cell-to-cell communication across various organs, but their role in skin aging was unclear.
Key findings
By comparing young and aged skin samples, the researchers discovered that TCs significantly decrease with age. Further analysis of gene expression in TCs and epidermal cells revealed that young TCs communicate with epidermal cells to enhance genes related to skin turnover and UV protection. These findings suggest that TCs play a crucial role in maintaining youthful skin, opening new avenues for anti-aging solutions through "activation of intercellular communication."
Regulatory and channel signals
CAFFCI is a non-profit organization comprising companies, institutions, and individuals in the essence, fragrance, cosmetics, raw materials, equipment, packaging, R&D, design, and education sectors. The China Cosmetic Science and Technology Conference, now held annually since 2025, is a major platform for cosmetic research presentations and academic discussions. The fragrance segment has been held separately as the China Fragrance and Flavour Science and Technology Conference since 2025. These awards signal Shiseido's continued investment in China-specific R&D, which may influence product innovation for the local market.
Source: Read the original report | Published: June 08, 2026