[Winner of The Cosmetic Victories in France!] New Approach to 'Prevention of Inflammation Recurrence' by Inhibiting Primary Cilia Formation
A research group from Osaka University and Mandom has discovered that inhibiting primary cilia on skin cells can prevent the recurrence of chronic inflammation. This breakthrough won the Academic Prize at The Cosmetic Victories 2026 in France.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 00:02 (1h 2m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 02:25 (2h 23m after Collected)
## Points
- Proposal of a new approach aiming for "prevention of inflammation recurrence," going beyond conventional temporary soothing care for chronic skin inflammation and sensitivity.
- It was shown that "primary cilia" are formed in keratinocytes by inflammatory stimuli, potentially serving as an indicator of cells with inflammatory memory. Furthermore, "ERK signaling" was found to be crucial for primary cilia formation, leading to the discovery of promising cosmetic ingredient candidates (Cucurbitacin IIA, Silymarin) that suppress this formation.
- Won the Academic Prize at The Cosmetic Victories 2026, a prestigious competition organized by Cosmetic Valley (France) for cutting-edge cosmetic technology.
- Expected application in products that prevent recurring skin troubles and contribute to enhancing skin stability and resilience.
## Overview
A research group including Specially Appointed Associate Professor Manami Toriyama of the Mandom Advanced Cosmetic Science Joint Research Institute at Osaka University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Ken Ishii of the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo, Professor Akimichi Morita of Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and Lecturer Daisuke Motooka of the Research Institute for Microbial Diseases at Osaka University, has proposed a new approach for chronic skin inflammation and sensitivity that aims to prevent the recurrence of inflammation.
In this study, the group demonstrated that inflammatory cytokine stimulation induces the formation of primary cilia in epidermal keratinocytes, suggesting that their presence could be an indicator of cells possessing inflammatory memory. Through unique discovery methods integrating omics analysis and compound screening, they identified promising cosmetic ingredient candidates that suppress primary cilia formation. Evaluation of subjects with atopic dermatitis-like symptoms confirmed that plant extracts could contribute to skin improvement.
This technology is expected to be a next-generation skincare solution that enhances skin stability and resilience from the perspective of preventing recurrence, moving beyond temporary soothing.
The research results were awarded the top Academic Prize at The Cosmetic Victories 2026, held in France on Monday, April 13, 2026. This international contest, hosted by Cosmetic Valley, recognizes innovative projects in the cosmetics field.
## Comment from Specially Appointed Associate Professor Manami Toriyama
"Many points regarding the functions of tiny organelles called 'primary cilia' remain unexplained. When we discovered their potential involvement in 'inflammatory memory' in the skin, I was deeply moved by the clever mechanism supporting the foundations of life maintenance. I sincerely hope these results contribute to a society where everyone can feel confident in their skin."
## Research Background
For chronic inflammation and sensitivity, conventional skincare has been limited to "temporary soothing care" for existing inflammation. It was difficult to directly approach the "inflammatory memory" etched in cells to prevent the recurrence of inflammation itself.
## Research Details
Stimulation by inflammatory cytokines was shown to form primary cilia in keratinocytes, serving as a potential marker for inflammatory memory. Focusing on ERK signaling, the researchers found candidates like Cucurbitacin IIA and Silymarin that suppress cilia formation. Evaluation of subjects with atopic-like symptoms confirmed that plant extracts containing silymarin showed improvement effects.
## Social Impact
This research is expected to contribute to next-generation skincare that improves skin stability and resilience through the new perspective of preventing inflammation recurrence.
## Special Notes
- Results presented at The Cosmetic Victories 2026 on April 13, 2026.
- The contest received 73 entries from 17 countries in the Industrial category and 21 entries from 13 countries in the Academic category. This research won the top prize in the Academic category.
- Title: “From Biology to Beauty: Primary Cilia–Controlled Cosmetics for Immune Memory Regulation and Sustainable Innovation”
- Proposal of a new approach aiming for "prevention of inflammation recurrence," going beyond conventional temporary soothing care for chronic skin inflammation and sensitivity.
- It was shown that "primary cilia" are formed in keratinocytes by inflammatory stimuli, potentially serving as an indicator of cells with inflammatory memory. Furthermore, "ERK signaling" was found to be crucial for primary cilia formation, leading to the discovery of promising cosmetic ingredient candidates (Cucurbitacin IIA, Silymarin) that suppress this formation.
- Won the Academic Prize at The Cosmetic Victories 2026, a prestigious competition organized by Cosmetic Valley (France) for cutting-edge cosmetic technology.
- Expected application in products that prevent recurring skin troubles and contribute to enhancing skin stability and resilience.
## Overview
A research group including Specially Appointed Associate Professor Manami Toriyama of the Mandom Advanced Cosmetic Science Joint Research Institute at Osaka University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Ken Ishii of the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo, Professor Akimichi Morita of Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and Lecturer Daisuke Motooka of the Research Institute for Microbial Diseases at Osaka University, has proposed a new approach for chronic skin inflammation and sensitivity that aims to prevent the recurrence of inflammation.
In this study, the group demonstrated that inflammatory cytokine stimulation induces the formation of primary cilia in epidermal keratinocytes, suggesting that their presence could be an indicator of cells possessing inflammatory memory. Through unique discovery methods integrating omics analysis and compound screening, they identified promising cosmetic ingredient candidates that suppress primary cilia formation. Evaluation of subjects with atopic dermatitis-like symptoms confirmed that plant extracts could contribute to skin improvement.
This technology is expected to be a next-generation skincare solution that enhances skin stability and resilience from the perspective of preventing recurrence, moving beyond temporary soothing.
The research results were awarded the top Academic Prize at The Cosmetic Victories 2026, held in France on Monday, April 13, 2026. This international contest, hosted by Cosmetic Valley, recognizes innovative projects in the cosmetics field.
## Comment from Specially Appointed Associate Professor Manami Toriyama
"Many points regarding the functions of tiny organelles called 'primary cilia' remain unexplained. When we discovered their potential involvement in 'inflammatory memory' in the skin, I was deeply moved by the clever mechanism supporting the foundations of life maintenance. I sincerely hope these results contribute to a society where everyone can feel confident in their skin."
## Research Background
For chronic inflammation and sensitivity, conventional skincare has been limited to "temporary soothing care" for existing inflammation. It was difficult to directly approach the "inflammatory memory" etched in cells to prevent the recurrence of inflammation itself.
## Research Details
Stimulation by inflammatory cytokines was shown to form primary cilia in keratinocytes, serving as a potential marker for inflammatory memory. Focusing on ERK signaling, the researchers found candidates like Cucurbitacin IIA and Silymarin that suppress cilia formation. Evaluation of subjects with atopic-like symptoms confirmed that plant extracts containing silymarin showed improvement effects.
## Social Impact
This research is expected to contribute to next-generation skincare that improves skin stability and resilience through the new perspective of preventing inflammation recurrence.
## Special Notes
- Results presented at The Cosmetic Victories 2026 on April 13, 2026.
- The contest received 73 entries from 17 countries in the Industrial category and 21 entries from 13 countries in the Academic category. This research won the top prize in the Academic category.
- Title: “From Biology to Beauty: Primary Cilia–Controlled Cosmetics for Immune Memory Regulation and Sustainable Innovation”