The Science of Reverse Aging
Guided by an innovative spirit since Dior skincare was introduced in 1967, the aim of Dior Science is to make the ultimate dream a reality: extending beauty over the years. This leitmotiv is based on three essential pillars.
Is it Possible to Reverse the Course of Biological Time?
The Complex Process of Aging
Aging is a natural, progressive process that can be defined as the loss of physiological integrity, reducing the amount of time spent in good health. This bodily decline increases our vulnerability to various age-related illnesses, and as the years go by, it can be seen on our faces.
Today, more than ever, the scientific community is seeking to slow down, stop or even reverse these effects. Reverse Aging now makes this dream possible, thanks to the commitment of every expert in the field: the science of longevity is making major advances and is already a great source of hope.
Every person can be characterized by their age, as everyone knows the definition. Yet few are aware that there are actually 2 ages:
CHRONOLOGICAL AGE
This is determined by the date of birth, and reflects personal aging. It is invariable and irreversible.
BIOLOGICAL AGE
Biological age is a measure of the body’s overall health, which may not correspond to chronological age. It is influenced by environmental factors and lifestyle. A measure of the body’s overall health, which may not correspond to chronological age.
The Beginnings of Reverse Aging
The 2013 scientific publication by Lopez-Otin et al., updated in January 2023, is a key reference for the science of Reverse Aging. It describes 12 biological markers at the root of aging, including chronic inflammation (inflamm'aging), stem cell depletion and telomere shortening. Although these markers are sometimes interdependent, they can be used to gauge the progression of a body’s biological age.
For several decades, Dior Science researchers have been working on several of these biological markers of aging to infuse Reverse Aging into increasingly expert formulas. Learn more about their commitment to Reverse Aging to prolong skin’s health and beauty.
More Than Twenty Years of Research on Reverse Aging
For over 20 years, Dior researchers have been studying the biological markers of aging. Their worldwide discoveries, often the result of collaborations, have led to major advances in the field.
Creation of a Unique Scientific Board
To meet the challenge of extending skin health and beauty over time, Dior Science has assembled 18 of the world’s leading experts in the science of aging to form the Reverse Aging Board and to work hand in hand with the 600 employees in its research department. This revolutionary event is a testament to unprecedented scientific endeavor, and marks a major advance in the fight against the visible effects of aging.
With several decades of steadfast research and the accumulation of over 300 patents, Dior Science and LVMH have paved the way for a scientific triumph over the passage of time.
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Pr. Knut WOLTJEN
Associate Professor at CiRA (Center for iPS Cell Research and Application), Kyoto University, Japan
Pr. Vadim GLADYSHEV
Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Director of Redox Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), Boston, USA
Dr. Daisy ROBINTON
Co-founder and CEO of Oviva Therapeutics. Head of Women’s Health at Cambrian Bio, Los Angeles, USA
Pr. Nicola NERETTI
Associate Professor of Biology in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry at Brown University, Rhode Island, USA
Pr. Anabelle DECOTTIGNIES
Professor at the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL), FNRS Research Director at the de Duve Institute, Belgium
Pr. David FURMAN
Associate Professor at the Buck Institute, Director of the 1000 Immunomes Project at Stanford University, California, USA
Dr. Patricia OGILVIE
Dermatologist, Founder of the SkinConcept clinic in Munich, Germany
Pr. Vittorio SEBASTIANO
Associate Professor in the research department at Stanford University, Member of the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford, USA
Dr. Zhe JI
Dermatologist, General Manager at Ping An Human Health, General Member of the Dermatology Committee of the Chinese Non-government Medical Institutions Association (CNMIA), Shanghai, China
Pr. Kelvin J.A. DAVIES
Distinguished Professor of Gerontology, Molecular and Computational Biology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
Dr. Meng C. WANG
Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
Dr. Nada ELBULUK
Dermatologist, Los Angeles, USA; Co-author of the “Color Atlas & Synopsis of Skin of Color”
Pr. George CHURCH
Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, Professor of Health Sciences and Technology at Harvard and MIT, Boston, USA. Director of Personalgenomes.org
Pr. Brian KENNEDY
Professor of Biochemistry and Physiology, Director of the Center for Healthy Longevity at the National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore
Pr. Junping GAO
Professor at the College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
Pr. Charles DAVIS
Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University. Curator of Vascular Plants and Director of the Harvard University Herbaria, Boston, USA
Pr. Johan AUWERX
Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Director of the Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology (LISP), Switzerland
Pr. Nancy ETCOFF
Psychologist at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital; Director of the Program in Aesthetics and Well-Being, Boston, USA. Author of “Survival of the Prettiest: The Science of Beauty”
On June 26 and 27, 2023, the members of the Reverse Aging Board met for the first time in Paris to push the boundaries of skin regeneration together. With this board, Dior is embracing a unique approach to reversing aging by including the social sciences and the psychology of aging, complementary areas of study that cannot be separated from basic science, floral science and skin science.
Floral Science
The House of Dior was built on the love of women and flowers: Christian Dior drew inspiration, strength and happiness from his gardens, from Granville to La Colle Noire.
The Dior Gardens
Dior is establishing gardens around the world to produce chemical-free ingredients. Located in carefully selected areas, these gardens are oases of biodiversity where nature thrives in harmony and sustainable farming methods are used. Rare flowers such as the Rose de Granville and the mallow flower are cultivated with love and care for the environment.
The Flowers of Dior
After 30 years of research, Dior has identified 6 flowers with exceptional properties and qualities, and then analyzed their skincare potential to transfer it to the skin.
The Rose de Granville
The Rose de Granville, which was chosen from among 40,000 varieties for its resilience and abundance of flowers, boasts a genomic heritage that is unique at Dior as well as extraordinary molecular richness. These active ingredients offer unique biological efficacy; for example, Rose de Granville sap extract is 4 times more effective on skin regeneration than retinoic acid.
The Vineyard of Château D’yquem
The high polyphenol content of Yquem vine sap extract contributes to its antioxidant power, making it 4 times more effective than resveratrol and twice as effective as vitamin C*.
* In vitro tests on ingredients.
Tuscan Iris
The Florentine iris blooms from mid-April to mid-May, brightening the Tuscan landscape. Its properties that protect skin radiance have been known and used by women since ancient times.
White Nymphéa from Latour-marliac
The nymphéa is one of the most resistant species in the world due to its resiliency and ability to thrive in a variety of environments. Its purifying power inspired the creation of OFF/ON Cleansing Foam with nymphéa.
Edelweiss from Switzerland
A symbol of purity, edelweiss grown in the Swiss Alps delivers powerful antioxidants and UV protection through its extracts in Diorsnow brightening skincare products.
Mallow from Anjou
The Dior mallow flower thrives in Maine-et-Loire department and in Aubiat in the Puy-de-Dôme department: it has been sustainably cultivated on a 75-hectare estate for over 30 years, using a green extraction process.
Scientific Collaborations
Collaboration is the heart of excellence at Parfums Christian Dior. We firmly believe in the importance of working hand in hand with leading research institutions that are true pioneers in their respective fields to advance the science of skin health.
Center for ips Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University
In 2019, Dior Science entered into a partnership with CiRA at Kyoto University. Headed by Professor Shinya Yamanaka—winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and a stem cell specialist—CiRA explores, among other things, the reprogramming potential of skin stem cells.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Affiliated with Harvard Medical School
Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) is a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital that boasts over 4,600 researchers, including more than 1,300 MD/PhDs, and ranks second in National Institutes of Health funding for independent hospitals. Since 2022, Dior Science has been working with Vadim Gladyshev, Director of Redox Medicine at BWH, to reverse the cellular mechanisms of skin aging.
“A recent and striking realization in the field of aging is that not only can it be slowed down, but organisms can also be partially rejuvenated, meaning that their biological age can actually be reduced.” Vadim Gladyshev, Professor of Medicine.
Harvard University Herbaria
Christian Dior inherited a passion for flowers from his mother, both as an observer and an investigator, expanding his knowledge by studying Vilmorin’s herbaria. Since then, Dior has kept this passion alive and made it a promise for rejuvenation.
LVMH Recherche and Parfums Christian Dior fund Professor Charles Davis’s research at the Harvard University Herbaria.
College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University
Professor Gao is a renowned rose expert, supported by an experienced team that specializes in functional genomics and phytochemistry. In collaboration with Dior Science, he has shown that the Rose de Granville possesses a unique genetic signature and molecular defense mechanism, which explains its extraordinary resilience compared with other roses.
Labskin Creations, France
LabSkin is a French start-up that produces skin models using a patented 3D bioprinting technology. Unlike most in vitro tests, this model mimics the various skin interactions with active ingredients on many levels. This collaboration has notably resulted in the creation of an exclusive bioprinted skin model that reproduces chronic skin inflammation (inflamm'aging).
