Awarded the prestigious C&T Allē Awards 2026 in New York and already attracting international attention, Dermalsync® is a patent-pending technology developed by Etichub, an academic spin-off of the Department of Drug Sciences at the University of Pavia, specializing in consulting, testing, and product and ingredient development for the cosmetics industry.
Dermalsync® is more than a new technology: it is a formulation platform that brands can integrate into their innovation and product development strategies. Its distinctive value lies in the ability to guide the selection and combination of ingredients according to specific physiological needs, enabling a more targeted and personalized approach to cosmetic formulation.
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
To develop the platform, Etichub studied the skin variations of more than 200 women monitored over time, collecting objective data that enabled the creation of a proprietary model capable of correlating skin changes with different physiological conditions. The goal is to bring a more precise approach to skincare, based on data rather than standard models, in line with an increasingly data-driven landscape where understanding the biological mechanisms of the skin guides more informed formulation choices. A European patent application has already been filed for the technology.
The revolutionary nature of this innovation has attracted significant attention from the cosmetics world and has already earned important recognition overseas, becoming one of the winners of the C&T Allē Awards 2026 in New York, one of the most prestigious awards in the global beauty industry, in the Prototype Product / Chassis – Anti-aging; Skin Care category. The award also recognizes Etichub’s distinctive approach and vision of cosmetic innovation as the “result of integrating research, cosmetic testing, and product development.”
Ahead of Dermalsync®’s presentation at the Skin Summer School, an event organized by the University of Pavia and dedicated to the scientific community, we asked Dr. Mariella Bleve, CEO and co-founder of Etichub, a few questions to better understand the origins—and especially the potential applications—of this innovative technology.
What is Dermalsync®?
Dermalsync® is a proprietary technology developed by Etichub to create a new generation of cosmetic products and treatment programs: more personalized, more effective, and more distinctive.
It stems from a simple biological observation: the skin does not always have the same needs. Throughout life, and even within natural physiological cycles, hormonal variations can influence key parameters such as hydration, sebum production, elasticity, and skin texture quality.
This is where Dermalsync® creates value: identifying the right ingredient blend and formulation architecture to support the skin under different physiological conditions. The goal is not to counteract natural changes but to accompany and balance them, helping the skin maintain its optimal functions.
When the skin can sustain a more stable physiological balance, it can preserve its wellness, quality, and functionality for longer. This is the essence of longevity according to Dermalsync®: creating ideal conditions for the skin to express its full potential and respond more effectively to specific targets such as aging, radiance, skin tone uniformity, sensitivity, or imperfections.
How does it work?
Dermalsync® is based on clinical research developed by Etichub involving 200 women monitored across different hormonal phases. The study enabled the collection of objective data on variations in key skin parameters, highlighting how the skin changes over time in response to natural physiological fluctuations.
Using these data, Etichub developed a physiological skin tracker: a proprietary model describing the evolution of skin characteristics and identifying the predominant needs associated with different biological conditions.
This knowledge guides cosmetic formulation design through the selection of the most appropriate ingredient blends for each physiological stage. In this way, the complexity of skin biology is translated into concrete formulation solutions applicable to product development. The result is an adaptive skincare approach designed to support the skin’s natural functions, promote long-term skin well-being, and open new opportunities for personalization in the cosmetics market.
The significance of this technology is also demonstrated by the fact that a patent application has already been filed…
Absolutely. Dermalsync® is a patent-pending technology that encapsulates the know-how developed by Etichub in skin physiology and cosmetic personalization.
More than a formulation solution, it represents a new product development model: a proprietary system that transforms scientific data and physiological knowledge into high-value cosmetic proposals. For brands, this means access to exclusive research capable of strengthening product differentiation and scientific credibility in a market increasingly focused on personalization, efficacy, and skin longevity.
Dermalsync® fully embodies the Etichub approach: transforming applied research into innovation that can be transferred to the cosmetics industry, creating practical tools to accelerate new business opportunities.
How can brands use it?
Dermalsync® is a scientific platform available under licensing, designed to help cosmetic brands develop a new generation of products and treatment programs that are increasingly personalized, credible, and distinctive.
Partners adopting the technology can leverage a registered, patent-pending platform supported by exclusive research and a unique approach to cosmetic personalization.
Dermalsync® is highly versatile and can be used to develop new skincare lines based on skin physiology, enhance existing product ranges with a distinctive scientific rationale, create evolving treatment protocols, modular kits, or personalized skincare pathways.
Applications extend beyond facial skincare to body care, scalp care, hair care, and other categories where physiological changes influence the well-being and appearance of the skin and its appendages.
For companies, this means access not only to a technology but to a true development platform capable of generating new positioning opportunities, increasing perceived product value, and creating claims supported by a solid scientific foundation. In an increasingly crowded market, Dermalsync® enables brands to build a truly differentiated offering and transform personalization from a trend into a competitive advantage.
Is it true that it has already received several international awards?
Yes. Since its earliest stages of development, Dermalsync® has attracted the attention of both the cosmetics industry and the scientific entrepreneurship ecosystem, receiving awards that confirm its scientific value and application potential.
Its journey began in 2021 with the UniVenture competition, promoted by the University of Pavia and the Municipality of Pavia for the best entrepreneurial ideas emerging from research. In 2024, Dermalsync® won the Best Innovative Product award at the Polo Innovation Day, one of the leading showcases for cosmetic innovation in Italy.
International recognition came in 2026 with the C&T Allē Awards in New York in the Anti-aging & Skin Care category, one of the world’s most prestigious awards for beauty innovation.
These achievements confirm Dermalsync®’s ability to transform research into a concrete technological solution capable of addressing some of the market’s most relevant trends: personalization, skin longevity, and adaptive skincare.
More importantly, these awards are not only milestones but also validation of the Etichub method: starting from scientific research to develop cosmetic solutions that are effective, tested, and transferable to the market.
Will Dermalsync® be presented at events and conferences in the coming months?
Yes. Dermalsync® will be among the key innovations featured at the upcoming Skin Summer School 2026, the international event organized by the University of Pavia and dedicated to the latest scientific and technological developments in cosmetics. It will be an important opportunity to showcase its application potential for the industry.
The Skin Summer School is only one step in Dermalsync®’s growth journey. Etichub will continue investing in the development and promotion of the technology through scientific congresses, industry events, and initiatives focused on cosmetic innovation.
Dermalsync® was born from applying knowledge about hormonal variations and their effects on the skin, but the project is already looking ahead. The objective is to expand the knowledge supporting the platform by exploring new life stages and physiological contexts that influence skin well-being and balance, creating an increasingly advanced and versatile platform capable of offering brands new development opportunities and new avenues for differentiation.