About us
The International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists
A worldwide federation dedicated to promoting international cooperation in cosmetic science and technology, advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and ensuring the highest standards of safety and efficacy for cosmetic products.
Who we are
Our History and Mission
Interest in forming the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) crystallized in Paris in 1956, leading to the federation’s birth in Brussels, Belgium, on September 8, 1959. At that time, only eight countries entered the Federation.
Today, the IFSCC proudly represents 48 societies from 78 countries, all of which meet the high standards of scientific and educational qualifications set by the organization. Our membership has grown to exceed 16,000 individual members, and we continue to expand as the global cosmetic industry evolves. New societies from Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America are welcomed into the Federation as they qualify for membership.
Our aims
The IFSCC is dedicated to advancing the field of cosmetic science through the following aims:
- Advance Cosmetic Science
Promote scientific knowledge and education in cosmetic science and technology. - Elevate Professional Status
Enhance the professional status of cosmetic science worldwide through educational and scientific programs. - Encourage Research
Support fundamental research by universities and independent researchers in all areas related to cosmetic science. - Coordinate Efforts
Facilitate communication and cooperation among autonomous member societies. - Cement Relationships
Strengthen ties by sharing activities and achievements of member societies. - Publish Literature
Disseminate scientific and technical literature, aiding research workers in accessing necessary information. - Publicize Activities
Promote member societies’ activities through various media platforms. - Host International Events
Organize congresses, seminars, and meetings globally, featuring speakers from diverse countries. - Sponsor Awards
Recognize outstanding achievements in research, publication, and contributions to cosmetic sciences with international awards.
Statutes
Our non-profit Association is established under the Swiss Civil Code. Download the Statutes that govern our work.
These Statutes were approved by the Council Meeting from 14 October 2024 in Iguazu Falls, Brazil. They annul and replace the Statues of 21 October 2021.
Download IFSCC statutes
History of the IFSCC
Milestones
The IFSCC was an idea that first crystallized in Paris in 1956 following over a decade of the already established individual societies in a few European countries and culminated in the birth of the federation in Brussels, Belgium on September 8, 1959.
The founding Societies are SCC (USA only at the time – Canada joined later), SCS (UK – Ireland joined later), SFC (France), SEQC (Spain), DGK (Germany), SBCC (Belgium), DKKS (Denmark) and Swiss SCC (Switzerland).
- The birth of IFSCC
Brussels, Belgium on September 9, 1959 - First Congress
Munich, Germany with 350 delegates from 16 countries in 1960 - First Conference
Basel, Switzerland in 1979 - KOSMET
Created in 1986 by Dr G Aubin (1982-83 president) - KOSMET
Accessible to users January 1989 - Maison G de Navarre Young scientist prize created
1987–winner Brien Parker SCS (Ireland) - Monographs
Monographs started in 1987 - IFSCC Magazine created
1998, first issue at 20th IFSCC congress in Cannes, France - Ecaterina Merica Cosmetic Education Programme
Ecaterina Merica Cosmetic Education Programme started 2009 - IFSCC Webinar Series
IFSCC Webinar Series launched 2020
Past Congress & Conference Venues
2025: Cannes, France – 35th Congress
2024: Iguazu Falls, Brazil – 34th Congress
2023: Barcelona, Spain – 33rd Congress
2022: London, UK – 32nd Congress
2021: Cancún, México – 26th Conference (held virtually)
2020: Yokohama, Japan – 31st Congress (held virtually)
2019: Milan, Italy – 25th Conference
2018: Munich, Germany – 30th Congress
2017: Seoul, South Korea – 24th Conference
2016: Orlando, USA – 29th Congress
2015: Zurich, Switzerland – 23rd Conference
2014: Paris, France – 28th Congress
2013: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 22nd Conference
2012: Johannesburg, South Africa – 27th Congress
2011: Bangkok, Thailand – 21st Conference
2010: Buenos Aires, Argentina – 26th Congress
2009: Melbourne, Australia – 20th Conference
2008: Barcelona, Spain – 25th Congress
2007: Amsterdam, the Netherlands – 19th Conference
2006: Osaka, Japan – 24th Congress
2005: Florence, Italy – 18th Conference
2004: Orlando, USA – 23rd Congress
2003: Seoul, South Korea – 17th Conference
2002: Edinburgh, UK – 22nd Congress
2001: Stockholm, Sweden and Taipei, Taiwan – 15th and 16th Conferences
2000: Berlin, Germany – 21st Congress
1999: Santiago, Chile and Johannesburg, South Africa – 13th and 14th Conferences
1998: Cannes, France – 20th Congress
1997: Budapest, Hungary and Acapulco, Mexico – 11th and 12th Conferences
1996: Sydney, Australia – 19th Congress
1995: Montreux, Switzerland – 10th Conference
1994: Venice, Italy – 18th Congress
1993: Platja D’Aro, Spain – 9th Conference
1992: Yokohama, Japan – 17th Congress
1991: Helsinki, Finland – 8th Conference
1990: New York City, USA – 16th Congress
1989: Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Santiago, Chile – 6th and 7th Conferences
1988: London, UK – 15th Congress
1987: Munich, Germany – 5th Conference
1986: Barcelona, Spain – 14th Congress
1985: Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia – 4th Conference
1984: Buenos Aires, Argentina – 13th Congress
1983: San Francisco, USA -3rd Conference
1982: Paris, France – 12th Congress
1981: Helsingor, Denmark – 2nd Conference
1980: Venice, Italy – 11th Congress
1979: Basel, Switzerland – 1st Conference
1978: Sydney, Australia – 10th Congress
1976: Boston, USA – 9th Congress
1974: London, UK – 8th Congress
1972: Hamburg, Germany – 7th Congress
1970: Barcelona, Spain – 6th Congress
1968: Tokyo, Japan – 5th Congress
1966: Paris, France – 4th Congress
1964: New York City, USA – 3rd Congress
1962: London, UK – 2nd Congress
1960: Munich, Germany – 1st Congress
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