Skin, Mental Health and Why Scientific Research Matters

Skin is more than just a surface. It’s our largest organ, a biological barrier, and a visible part of how we move through the world. Increasingly, scientific research shows that skin health and mental wellbeing are deeply interconnected - with each influencing the other in ways that are complex but still not yet fully understood (Soares et al., 2024), (Baskaran et al., 2025) (Salari et al., 2024).

Studies across dermatology and psychology have demonstrated that people living with certain skin conditions may be more likely to experience anxiety and depression.1,2 At the same time, psychological stress may also influence skin through hormonal pathways, leading to irritation, breakouts, and an impacted skin barrier.3 This bidirectional relationship - often referred to as the brain-skin axis - reinforces that skin health cannot be viewed in isolation from mental health.

Research into skin and mental health is growing, but there are still many questions - ones that guide how we innovate and talk about science with our community. Advancing this conversation requires rigorous research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continued inquiry.

At The Ordinary, science is not only about formulations - it’s about building credibility, scientific literacy, and understanding around the role skin plays in people’s lives. As part of our commitment to advancing evidence-based knowledge, we’ve partnered with the University of Toronto’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy to launch the DECIEM Graduate Student Award, supporting research that explores the relationship between skin conditions and mental wellbeing.

Through this award, DECIEM has committed $50,000 over two years to fund a Master’s-level research project led in the Graduate Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Toronto. Their research will focus on examining how skin conditions intersect with psychological health - an area of growing scientific and clinical importance.

As Deborah Creatura, Global Director of Scientific Communications at DECIEM, explains:

By supporting independent academic research, our goal is not to offer simplified answers to complex experiences, but to help generate meaningful insights that can inform, educate, and drive future innovation.

The University of Toronto’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy is one of the world’s leading institutions in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, with deep expertise in clinical and interdisciplinary research. Partnering with academic institutions allows us to contribute to - and learn from - research environments grounded in peer review, scientific rigor, and patient-centred outcomes.

According to Mina Tadrous, pharmacist and researcher at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy and supervisor of the project:

This collaboration is part of DECIEM’s broader scientific credentialing and education strategy, which includes guest lectures, panels, mentorship, curriculum consultation, and long-term partnerships across pharmacy, cosmetic science, and biotechnology programs. Together, these efforts aim to strengthen the bridge between academic research and real-world impact.

Understanding skin health means understanding people; not just ingredients or products. Supporting research into the connection between skin conditions and mental wellbeing is one way we can contribute to a more informed, compassionate, and evidence-based future for skincare.

By investing in graduate research and academic collaboration, we hope to help advance the scientific body of knowledge in this area and empower the next generation of researchers whose work will shape how skin health is understood.

Meaningful progress in skincare doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens through science, partnership, and a commitment to understanding the human experience behind skin.

References:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37898903/

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40395584/

3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34631261/