Innovations in Longevity: dsm-firmenich Unveils Senolytic Technologies at SEPAWA Congress 2025

Exploring Cellular Aging for Enhanced Skin and Hair Care Solutions

dsm-firmenich Unveils Longevity Innovations at SEPAWA Congress 2025

Berlin, Germany — At the ongoing SEPAWA Congress 2025, dsm-firmenich is making waves with a groundbreaking series of innovations aimed at combating cellular aging. The company is diving deep into the science of cellular senescence and senolytic technologies, targeting both skin and hair care.

In an exclusive interview with Personal Care Insights, Matthias Gempeler, senior principal scientist at dsm-firmenich, elaborated on the company’s latest advancements. “We are showcasing some of our recent innovations, and it’s a lot about the term longevity, which is trendy,” Gempeler stated. “Within this space, we focus on specific hallmarks of aging, one of which is senescence. Recently, we launched two senolytic molecules—one for skin care and the other for hair care.”

Revolutionizing Anti-Aging Solutions

dsm-firmenich’s Syn-Coll CB skin care molecule has already gained traction in the market, thanks to its robust research backing. Gempeler emphasized the importance of understanding senescence at a genetic level, stating, “We really tried to make a deep dive into senescence. We have an assay in place where we can show the effect on senescent cells.”

The company has taken its research a step further, conducting clinical studies that demonstrate the active ingredient’s superiority over traditional anti-aging solutions. “If you do things in this big space of longevity, you need to have solid technology behind it, and this is what we did,” Gempeler added.

Senolytics: From Skin to Scalp

Senolytic technology targets “zombie skin cells”—aged cells that have ceased to divide but linger on. Gempeler revealed that dsm-firmenich’s senolytic technology has expanded its reach to hair and scalp health. “We screened a lot of plant molecules, especially looking into plant flavonoids and biotech flavonoids,” he explained.

The team adapted their fibroblast assays to hair cells, confirming measurable benefits in placebo-controlled, double-blind studies. “We were able to show an effect on hair, such as hair density,” Gempeler noted.

The next phase involves combining senolytic actives with established anti-aging ingredients. “One of our hypotheses was that if you combine a senolytic with a traditional anti-aging molecule, like retinol, you will increase the effect of the traditional treatment,” he said.

A New Approach to Anti-Aging

While traditional anti-aging research has primarily targeted mature consumers, dsm-firmenich is shifting its focus to younger generations. “We recently started to look into ethnicities and testing product differences across various age groups,” Gempeler shared.

The company’s peptide study included participants in their 30s, middle-aged groups, and those around 60, demonstrating effectiveness across all generations. “Longevity allows you to make completely different claims. It’s not just about living longer due to cosmetics; it’s about living better and feeling more confident,” he explained.

Gempeler advocates for a preventive approach, suggesting that younger individuals should consider anti-aging treatments early on. “Collagen might start to decrease at the age of 30. If you start treatment at an early stage, you preserve and even improve your collagen situation,” he said. “This means once the aging process starts, you begin from a much higher level.”

Conclusion

As dsm-firmenich continues to innovate in the realm of longevity and cellular health, the company is poised to redefine the landscape of skin and hair care. With a focus on scientific research and a commitment to healthier aging, dsm-firmenich is not just addressing the signs of aging but is also paving the way for a more confident future for consumers of all ages.