Edito

Modern man has found an endless number of relics, dating from the dawn of human history, whose sole function was to adorn or beautify women and men. The quest for beauty led our distant ancestors to demonstrate great originality in creating and producing such objects.
Colored powders were most likely the first natural “cosmetics,” though we know not whether they were used for pugnacious or peaceful purposes. In either case, the practice of applying natural mineral or plant-based powders endured, and modern pigments share many properties with the oldest cosmetics known to man, Provencal “ochre” being a perfect illustration.

The 2008 COSMETHICA Congress is dedicated to these natural products. The objective of the congress is not to place different types of cosmetic ingredients in opposition to one another, but to promote and develop these specific ingredients and to approach the entire subject in a more universal fashion.
Thus our work at COSMETHICA will cover many issues concerning the notion of “natural,” the innocuity and safety of natural ingredients and products, the impact of cosmetics on sustainable development and, lastly, natural product sourcing and supply chains.
This spectrum of themes will serve as catalyst to many discussions, such that congress participants may benefit fully from a variety of viewpoints on this broad and important topic.

I look forward to welcoming you to Grasse and remain, yours sincerely,


Jean-Paul Marty
President
Société Française de Cosmétique - French Cosmetics Society