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Purpose of the Laboratory

As life expectancy continues to increase and society enters the era of 100-year lifespans, people are seeking not only longevity but also healthier and more beautiful lifestyles. At the same time, in response to SDGs-related challenges, European and American countries are shifting toward cosmetic ingredients that satisfy six important requirements, and this trend is spreading worldwide.

This laboratory was established to contribute to society through the development of novel anti-aging cosmetics based on advanced science and technology while addressing these six key elements. Our goal is to establish a new academic field known as “Innovative Cosmetology.” By taking advantage of Kobe’s unique regional strengths and industry connections, we also aim to advance “Integrative Cosmetology,” an interdisciplinary approach that combines science, business, and management. Through these activities, we promote collaboration between academia and industry to create new social and industrial value.

6 Elements

1 Effectiveness(Can users feel the effects?)
2 Naturally Derived(Are the ingredients naturally derived?)
3 Biodegradable(Is it environmentally friendly?)
4 Sustainability(Is it sustainable?)
5 Animal origin-free(Does it avoid animal-derived ingredients?)
6 Cost-effectiveness(Is it cost-effective?)

Introduction to Our Laboratory

We conduct research on next-generation hair coloring technologies based on advanced green chemical technologies, as well as skincare technologies aimed at improving wrinkles and sagging skin.

In addition, we work on value creation that incorporates business perspectives, including container development, sales strategies, branding, and entrepreneurship, with the goal of developing new markets through innovative technologies.

News

Our laboratory’s activities were featured on LIPS ( Article Page

The Innovative Cosmetology Lab at Kobe University has relocated from the Rokkodai Campus to the Fukae Campus in April 2026.

Under this new research environment, we will continue to advance research and education in cosmetology, hair science, and green chemical technologies.

Please see the following documents for details.

Announcement of Laboratory Relocation
Notice of New Laboratory Office Opening
Celebration Party for Undergraduate and Master's Thesis Completion(Photo
Conference Presentation(Photo

Project Professor Tsujino, Professor Hotta, Mr. Okuma, and Mr. Katayama participated in the “3rd Annual Conference of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan”
Collaborative research with Associate Professor Izumi received the “Excellent Poster Presentation Award”
Products containing TOSTEA(R) were featured in the beauty magazine “美St January 2026 Issue” (美Stオンライン
Ms. Kaho Maeda (M2) received the “Student Poster Award” at IC&FIA2025
Conference Website
Project Professor Tsujino received the Kobe University President’s Award (Financial Contribution Category) for FY2025 (4th consecutive year)
Award Page
The kickoff meeting for the second phase of the laboratory was held (Photo
One doctoral student completed the doctoral program (Photo
Osaka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., our collaborative research partner, exhibited equipment at INTERPHEX WEEK Tokyo 2025
Photo
Project Professor Tsujino gave a lecture at the “82nd Textile Application Technology Research Meeting” (Photo
Visiting Professor Tomonobu Ezure appeared on NHK’s “Torisetsu Show”
Program Page
Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Matsumoto gave an oral presentation at the “50th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Cosmetic Science”
Project Professor Tsujino delivered a special lecture at the “Beauty Business Education Symposium” (Photo
The 2025 laboratory members page has been updated
Maya Yoshii (high school student) gave a poster presentation at CSJ 2025
The FY2024 Degree Conferment Ceremony was held (Photo
Project Professor Tsujino appeared on Radio Kansai’s “Reiwa Mito Komon Radio Manyuki”
Program Page
Project Professor Tsujino presented a poster at the JSBBA 2025 Sapporo Meeting
Research results on the vinegar-derived ingredient “Freglide-1” were published in FCT ( Article Page
Sotaro Sato’s paper was published in International Journal of Cosmetic Science ( IJCS Page
Kenji Matsumoto gave an oral presentation at the “15th Hair Science Research Presentation Meeting”
A paper by Professor Tsujino and colleagues was published in Journal of Functional Foods ( Article Page
The “6th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Cosmetic Medicine” was held at Kobe University Centennial Hall (Photo
Kotaro Katayama’s paper was published in Molecules ( Article Page

A paper by Professor Tsujino and Professor Hotta was published in "Cosmetic Science, December 2024 Issue"
A discussion article featuring Dr. Ezure and Dr. Imaoka was published on the official Shiseido website
Project Professor Tsujino gave a poster presentation at the "37th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Alternatives to Animal Experiments"
The development story behind TOSTEA(R) was featured in the beauty magazine "MAQUIA January Issue"
Ms. Kanno (D2) and Ms. Kitagawa (M2) gave poster presentations at the "70th Polarography Conference" (Ms. Kanno received the Student Poster Award)
Ms. Maeda (M1) and Ms. Taniarashi (D2) gave poster presentations at the "60th Flow Injection Analysis Conference" Project Professor Tsujino received the Kobe University President’s Award (Financial Contribution Category) for FY2024
Project Professor Tsujino, Mr. Mochizuki (D3), and Mr. Sato (D3) participated in "IFSCC Congress 2024 Brazil"
Mr. Mochizuki (D3) was selected among the Top 5 in the Fundamental Research Oral Presentation Division
Professor Hotta, Ms. Kanno (D2), and Ms. Kitagawa (M2) gave poster presentations at the international conference "PRiM 2024"
A birthday celebration for Project Professor Tsujino and Professor Hotta was organized by students
Project Professor Tsujino gave a lecture at the "2024 Japan-China International Cosmetic Exchange Event"
Project Professor Tsujino contributed an article to "SHINBIYO October 2024 Issue"
Project Professor Tsujino contributed an article on hair damage and advanced care ingredients to "SHINBIYO September 2024 Issue"
Project Professor Tsujino visited Houde Food Co., Ltd. in China and gave a lecture on vinegar-derived cosmetics
A paper by Research Fellow Fukushi, Professor Okamura, Professor Hotta, and colleagues received "the Best Paper Award" from the Japan Society on Sea Water Science
Project Professor Tsujino appeared on MBS "Yonchan TV"
Project Professor Tsujino appeared on TBS "THE TIME,"
A collaborative research achievement by Project Professor Tsujino, Professor Hotta, and Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. was released as a press release
The FY2023 Degree Conferment Ceremony was held (Photo)
Laboratory members held a graduation celebration party(Photo

Kotaro Katayama (D2) received the Best Poster Award at the "Young Frontier Research Meeting 2023" (Award List / Photo

Sotaro Sato's research was featured in the booklet "Perspectives and Topics" of the 70th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry (Booklet / Related Product
We hosted a special lecture organized by our laboratory (Lecture by Dr. Tomonobu Ezure on "Mechanisms of Facial Aging")
Lecture Details

Members of the Hotta Laboratory held a mid-term social gathering (Photo

Hiroe Kanno (D2) received the Student Presentation Award at the 69th Polarography Conference (Conference Website
Project Professor Tsujino received the Kobe University President's Award for Financial Contribution for FY2023 ( Award Ceremony
Project Professor Tsujino participated in the "IFSCC Congress 2023 Barcelona" (Photo
Project Professor Tsujino appeared on Radio Kansai's program "Reiwa Mito Komon Radio Manyuki" and explained the impact of treated water issues on the cosmetics industry ( Program Page
Sotaro Sato (D2) received the Student Poster Award at the 70th Anniversary Ceremony of the Kansai Branch of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry ( Certificate Photo

Meiki Yoshimasa (M1) received the Excellent Poster Award at the 58th Flow Injection Analysis Conference ( Graduate School of Maritime Sciences Website
The microbubble shower system "BUBLISS," jointly developed by Project Professor Tsujino and Professor Hotta, was officially launched ( Product Page / Kobe University News

A celebration was held for Project Professor Tsujino's 60th birthday ( Photo

The opening ceremony of the "Innovative Cosmetology Collaborative Research Course" was featured in Kobe Shimbun NEXT and the Kobe Shimbun morning edition.

Kobe Shimbun NEXT / Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University
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