The new science of skincare: Lancôme on what the longevity movement means for your skin
Lancôme’s Global Scientific Director Dr Annie Black on the shift from anti-ageing to longevity, why skin belongs in the wellbeing conversation, and what science-led beauty could look like next.
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Skincare is undergoing a shift. Where the conversation once centred on anti-ageing and correcting visible signs of time, it is increasingly turning to longevity – how skin can be supported to stay comfortable, resilient and healthy over the years.
Dr Annie Black, Global Scientific Director at Lancôme, sits at the centre of that shift.
A molecular and cellular biologist with more than 25 years in skin biology, she translates advances in skin science into evidence-led cosmetic innovation, including through Lancôme’s partnership with longevity company Timeline.
Q&A with Dr. Annie Black
What does the shift from anti-ageing to longevity tell us about how women want to age?
Women are increasingly rejecting the idea that ageing is something to fight – or apologise for. “Anti-ageing” was often framed around correcting visible signs of time. Longevity offers a more constructive perspective: supporting skin’s vitality and comfort over time, rather than trying to erase age.
Consumers want evidence, transparency and solutions that feel relevant to their own lives. For many, the goal is not to resemble a previous version of themselves, but to look healthy, rested and confident at every stage of life.
Why does skin belong in the longevity conversation?
Skin is the body’s largest organ and its most visible interface with the outside world. It protects us, senses the environment and helps regulate temperature, while interacting closely with other biological systems.
Longevity conversations have traditionally focused on internal health – metabolic, cardiovascular, cognitive and muscular function. Those areas are fundamental, but skin should not be an afterthought.
Skin longevity is about more than a younger-looking face. It means supporting the skin’s essential functions over time – comfort, hydration, recovery, structural integrity and resilience to everyday environmental stressors.
Historically, medicine and beauty have sat in very separate worlds. What excites you about the way science-led skincare, such as Lancôme’s Absolue Longevity MD range, is beginning to bridge that gap?
What excites me is bringing greater scientific curiosity and rigour to something deeply personal: how people experience their skin every day.
Medicine and beauty have distinct roles, and it is important to preserve that distinction. Skincare is not a substitute for dermatological care or medical treatment. But there is an important space between treating disease and concealing a concern: supporting everyday skin resilience, appearance and visible quality.
For Absolue Longevity MD, the opportunity is to pair this research-led approach with a truly luxurious experience: thoughtful formulation, robust testing and sensoriality that makes a routine enjoyable to use. Luxury and science can work together.
Why do strength, resilience and vitality matter more than simply looking younger?
Because appearance is an outcome, while resilience is a capability.
A longevity perspective asks a different question: can skin continue to function well over time? Can it retain comfort, maintain hydration and respond to environmental challenges?
Strength, resilience and vitality acknowledge that skin changes throughout life. The ambition is not to freeze the face at a particular age, but to support healthy-looking, recognisably individual skin.
What excites you most about the future of longevity science in skincare?
What excites me most is the shift from reacting to visible changes to understanding skin’s trajectory over time.
As our knowledge grows, skincare will become more precise and more responsive to the individual, moving beyond broad categories like “dry”, “sensitive” or “mature”.
Most importantly, longevity science can make the beauty conversation more positive.
Learn more at lancome.com.au
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