This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone for the brands in their pursuit of dermatological research advancement and skincare innovation.  will be launching the first of the CGSkin products, Night Repair Therapy on 25 October 2024. Night Repair Therapy is a true innovation designed to regenerate and rebuild collagen and elastin in prematurely aged skin without irritation.

Founded in 2023 by leading researchers in skin ageing, The Skin Diary is modernising skincare through its innovative product Chapters. The Skin Diary offers prescription-grade skincare routines that leverage skin cycling to deliver optimal outcomes to patients while minimising irritation. 

CGSkin, a University of Manchester spinout, is built on a decade of rigorous research and collaboration between the University and eminent dermatologists Dr Tamara Griffiths and Professor Chris Griffiths. Their suite of anti-ageing products has undergone exhaustive testing to the highest standards, including unprecedented human skin biopsy studies. 

With the acquisition of CGSkin, The Skin Diary is set apart from other skincare brands due to its academic lineage and the expertise of its founders. Professor Chris Griffiths is a distinguished figure in skin research; his seminal research on topical retinoids has made a huge impact on the field of skin ageing. Dr Tamara Griffiths brings invaluable aesthetic science expertise to the partnership.

Only 8.6% of the skincare market is dispensed by physicians, and Chapters provides patients with a fully personalised profile with continuous access to dermatologists through their Skin Diary portal.

Catherine Headley, CEO of the said: “This acquisition exemplifies the spirit of innovation, something that is part of the foundation of The University of Manchester.  Impact like this doesn’t happen overnight; it can be many years in the making. Everyone at the Innovation Factory is proud to see Professor and Dr Griffiths and their research welcomed into The Skin Diary family and we are honoured to have been able to support them on their journey.”

“The acquisition of CGSkin by The Skin Diary is a testament to our dedication to providing patients with the most effective and innovative skincare solutions,” said Dr Clare Kiely, Chief Medical Officer of the Skin Diary.  “We are excited to integrate CGSkin’s ground-breaking products into our portfolio, furthering our mission to empower individuals with access to advanced anti-ageing treatments.”

Skincare is the leading sector in a thriving beauty market, accounting for 40% in .  Growing awareness of physician-dispensed cosmeceuticals means there is increasing demand for prescription-grade skincare options too.

To find out more about The Skin Diary, visit .

The renewed commitment will help Boots and No7 Beauty Company continue to break new ground in helping people care for their skin throughout their life, whether it is maintaining skin health, helping to combat skin ageing or supporting people through significant skin changes such as those resulting from the menopause. It will also further strengthen their market leading cosmetic science innovation pipeline, which has delivered product innovations generating waiting lists of up to 100,000 people, physical queues outside Boots stores and surges in visits to boots.com. 

The announcement was made at a special event held at the University, which celebrated some of the partnership’s most significant scientific milestones, including the launch of its biggest scientific breakthrough to date; the ground-breaking No7 Future Renew skincare range. The range was launched exactly one year ago this week and was developed following 15 years of research and development between scientists at both organisations, resulting in the discovery of a world-first super peptide blend formulated into a best-selling range and serum that is clinically proven to reverse visible signs of skin damage.  This innovation has taken the beauty industry by storm, with the Future Renew serum becoming a global bestseller and the biggest ever beauty launch in the UK.  In the UK, there were more than 500,000 transactions in the first four weeks, and a year later, one product is still sold every seven seconds.

The collaboration renewal also coincides with both institutions celebrating landmark anniversaries; with Boots marking its 175th anniversary and The University of Manchester reaching its 200 year milestone in 2024.

Mark Winter, Managing Director, No7 Beauty Company, said: “We are incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with the UoM’s Centre for Dermatology Research and excited for the next phase of our collaboration.  Scientific innovation is part of our DNA and by working with world-leading partners like the University of Manchester we are committed to using our unrivalled research expertise to be at the forefront of skincare and cosmetic innovation, developing ground-breaking, clinically proven, affordable products that work for everyone.”

The event was attended by representatives from both institutions, including Ornella Barra, Chief Operating Officer, International, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc and Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Manchester.  

from The University of Manchester said: “We are delighted to be able to continue our partnership with Boots and to pursue our shared aims of uncovering new insights into skin biology and applying this knowledge to repairing accumulated damage.” 

, also from The University of Manchester  said: "Our longstanding partnership with Boots has enabled us to explore the depths of skin science while delivering real-world benefits to consumers through clinical translational research. We are thrilled to continue this collaboration, advancing innovation and enhancing skin health for all individuals."

Where it all began
The partnership was established twenty years ago by a small team of No7 and University of Manchester scientists. The ambition was to come together to create cutting-edge skincare solutions that could be taken from the laboratory straight to the high street.  One of the first innovations was the renowned No7 Protect & Perfect serum. The serum famously featured in a BBC Horizon programme in 2007, where the efficacy of the serum was verified by independent dermatologists, leading to the product selling out in Boots stores throughout the UK.

Fast forward to 2024 and today, the collaboration has caught the eyes of the scientific community and the Government.  It has also:  

• Led to 10 patents being filed, with more in the pipeline
• Resulted in over 100 academic publications including 60 peer reviewed papers published in scientific journals
• Helped to upskill thousands of beauty advisors and pharmacists within Boots stores
• Supported a UK talent pipeline of brilliant entrepreneurial scientists – many of whom are female
• Significantly raised the reputation of bioscience research in the UK and in particular in the North West
• Helped put No7 on the global map with distribution now extending to over a dozen countries including Australia, the Nordics and the US
• Created effective collaborations both in the UK and internationally with the likes of Imperial College London, Kings College, Newcastle, York and Liverpool universities, as well as internationally with Johns Hopkins.

Millie Kendall OBE, CEO, British Beauty Council, comments: “The launch of No7 Future Renew was somewhat revolutionary.  The teams took a ground-breaking scientific discovery straight into an affordable, accessible skincare range available to all on the British high street, whereas traditionally you would see cutting-edge scientific innovations trickle down to high street products several years after launching in premium products or clinics. It is testament to the rigour and strength of the partnership between The University of Manchester, Boots and No7 Beauty Company that they have created truly world-leading skincare innovation together.”

New era of discovery beckons
The renewal of the partnership establishes a ground-breaking five-year research programme that will explore peptides, clinical testing, skin immunology, and the skin microbiome. It includes a pioneering project to investigate skin across the pigmentary spectrum, aiming to develop more inclusive and effective technologies suitable for all skin tones. The project has already secured multi-million-pound funding from The BBSRC’s Prosperity Award, marking a significant investment in advancing skin science.

Samantha Dover, Mintel Category Director of Beauty and Personal Care research, said: “Beauty consumers are increasingly discerning and want to know more about the products they buy. This is exemplified by the 71% of UK adults who believe beauty brands should provide more scientific evidence to validate their claims. Showcasing the research and development behind a product can provide brands with a powerful point of difference in a crowded market. Moreover, partnerships that elevate and spotlight the R&D process will undoubtedly appeal to consumers who want brands to validate their claims, and therefore can build brand trust and loyalty.” 

Investing in the next generation of British scientists
Throughout the partnership, The University of Manchester, Boots and No7 Beauty Company will support the next generation of scientists through the following initiatives:

• Funding from BBSRC Collaborative Training Partnership in 2021 to train 15 PhD students, addressing skills gaps in the UK bioscience industry.
• Co-investing with UKRI since 2019, with UKRI recognising the No7 Future Renew story as an exemplar of business and university collaboration.

An event is being held at The University of Manchester on April 11^th (the one year anniversary of the No7 Future Renew launch) to celebrate the impact and success of the partnership and look ahead at the next phase. 

Published in Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the study of human and mice cells casts new light on arginase1, a protein which speeds up the rate of chemical reactions in skin cells.

They also for the first time characterise the catalyst’s role in role in the outer cells of the skin- the keratinocytes  - in the response to wound formation.

The discovery positions the enzyme’s immunological pathway as a potential drug target which could promote the repair of wounds that would otherwise heal slowly- or not at all.

Non-healing wounds include pressure sores, diabetic wounds, venous ulcers and non-healing surgical wounds and are characterised by excessive inflammation. These are a particular problem for older people and can affect as many as 1 in 20.

Scientists have long been searching for new ways to tackle the problem of delayed wound healing which represents a significant health burden on the NHS.

The scientific team show how delayed healing wounds in mice and non-healing human diabetic foot ulcers displayed reduced levels of arginase1 in the keratinocytes in the epidermis, the outermost skin layer.

hey also demonstrated the importance of epidermal arginase1 in wound healing for the ability of keratinocytes to repair and close the wound.

Scientists already know that Arginase1 is expressed by cells in the skin including immune cells and keratinocytes but the function of Arginase -1 in keratinocytes was not well understood.

The researchers now show that arginase-1 in keratinocytes is needed for production of factors such as putrescine and polyamines which are needed to help the keratinocytes migrate and proliferate across the wound to heal it.

Targeting arginase-1 as well as these downstream products with supplements restored keratinocyte function and the model systems showed that wounds healed more quickly.

Lead author Professor Sheena Cruikshank from The University of Manchester said: “Non-healing wounds are a major area of unmet clinical need that remain difficult to treat and are the source of misery for millions of people across the world.

“So an improved understanding of the biological mechanisms that promote healing is extremely important.”

In the study, acute wound biopsy samples were collected from 3 healthy volunteers and chronic wound biopsy samples from 19 patients. They were examined and wound samples analysed over 12 weeks. Transgenic mice with non-healing wounds were also used  for the study.

Professor Cruickshank added: “Our data shows a positive correlation between early expression of a  catalyst called arginase1 and healing outcomes in both mice and humans.

“We also reveal how arginase1 impacts on wound healing.”

“That means that the arginase1 pathway is an exciting target for drugs which could potentially promote wound repair which would otherwise go untreated.”

The paper A novel epidermal-specific role for arginase1 during cutaneous wound repair is available Journal of Investigative Dermatology , April 2022, Pages 1206-1216.e8. It is published in print in April

The study team, funded by the Medical Research Council and Helmut Horten Foundation, showed the activation of specific parts of the DNA leading to better division of human skin cells. The study is published in .

Two transcription factors –proteins that bind the DNA – were able to enhance a natural process of skin cell division, a desirable outcome in regenerative medicine.

In normal conditions, one in every fourth cell isolated from the inner layer of the skin divides but the team achieved an increase by 20-25%.

The effect was achieved without the addition of growth factors. These naturally occurring but difficult to extract molecules are currently used to improve regeneration of skin, joints, and other frequently damaged organs.

Instead of growth factors, scientists used sulpharaphane, a compound found in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbages.

Sulforaphane activates the binding of transcriptions factors to specific parts of the DNA, which controlled cell division and is one of a number of compounds that can work in this way.

While most of the research was done on human cells isolated directly from donor skin, mouse models with genetically modified transcription factors were essential to prove the DNA-mediated mechanism.

“We know that the skin sometimes cannot efficiently repair itself but the endogenous mechanism we discovered uses the body’s own processes to induce division of cells in the skin,” said Dr Svitlana Kurinna who led the study.

“Our findings suggest that the combined activity of both transcription factors is important to maintain the proliferative capacity of these cells (keratinocytes).

“Our skin can be easily damaged, which impacts the quality of life and in some cases, is life-threatening.

“However, we hope that this study provides some crucial insight into the process and lays the foundation for an exciting future investigating similar mechanisms in other organs.”

The research focusses on “basal” keratinocytes that represent the most inner growing layer, as well as on the layers closer to the surface of the skin, which can also play a crucial role in the healing process and are called supra basal.

It is important because the over promotion of  cell division in basal layer could create the conditions for skin cancer but the activation of the supra basal .layer may be ‘cancer-proof’.

One of identified transcription factors is the master regulator of the DNA in skin cells while the other alleviates oxidative stress. Such stress is a result of reactive oxygen species from the environment, toxins, and the inner metabolic processes.

Working together, the transcription factors may protect and improve cell division without transforming them into cancer cells.

She added: “At the moment, once tissue becomes fibrotic and scarred, there’s no way of reversing it to fully functional state

“Our ultimate goal is to improve regeneration of functional skin – and maybe other organs with the a similar endogenous mechanism.

“Each organ has a different master regulator of the DNA, which works with the stress response, so we need to keep researching the mechanisms for specific treatments.”

The paper ‘Interaction of the NRF2 and p63 transcription factors promotes keratinocyte proliferation in the epidermis’ is published in