TRI Unveils Advanced In-Vivo Raman System: A New Frontier in Clinical Skin Evaluation

A Strategic Partnership with HORIBA for the Future of Skin Science

Dr. Samuel Gourion-Arsiquaud and the Skin and Biosubstrates team are proud to announce the arrival of the new HORIBA SkinProbe system at TRI. This state-of-the-art in-vivo confocal Raman microscope represents the culmination of a strategic collaboration started few years ago between HORIBA and Dr. Samuel Gourion-Arsiquaud. While TRI’s existing in-vivo FTIR capabilities excel at evaluating the skin surface, the SkinProbe unlocks the "third dimension." This top-of-the-range instrument allows for the collection of precise spectroscopic data regarding the molecular and structural composition of living skin up to 100 µm below the surface.

Expanding Clinical Capabilities

With the integration of this system, the team can now perform high-resolution, depth-resolved measurements (from -20µm to 100µm) to:

• Track Active Ingredient Diffusion: Quantify the relative concentration of actives (e.g., Retinol, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid) as they migrate from the stratum corneum (SC) into deeper epidermal layers.

• Map Skin Hydration & NMF: Determine the precise levels of Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF) and water content throughout the SC and epidermis.

• Analyze Skin Barrier Function: Evaluate the skin’s integrity by probing lipid organization and packing within the SC.

Beyond the Surface: Next-Generation Sunscreen Research

This instrument directly complements the groundbreaking work Dr. Gourion-Arsiquaud presented in his recent TRI talk: ”Beyond SPF: Next-Generation Sunscreen Development for Maximized Efficacy and Safety in a Warming Climate (A Spectroscopic Approach)”, which is available for free to Library Members and TRI Member Companies. By utilizing both IR and Raman spectroscopy, TRI can now provide unprecedented insights into sunscreen "staying power." The new in-vivo system enables the team to probe how lipid packing changes under thermal stress and how those changes impact the retention and penetration of UV filters.

If you’re interested in the use of IR and Raman spectroscopy within cosmetic science, the TRI Academy piece “An Introduction to IR and Raman Spectroscopy: Harnessing the Power of Light in Molecular Analysis” is a good place to start, and free to access. 

“This new system and our collaboration with HORIBA significantly extend the spectroscopic research we have pioneered at TRI over the last 15 years,” says Dr. Samuel Gourion-Arsiquaud. “By bridging the gap between ex-vivo research and clinical evaluation, this system provides a powerful new platform to support advanced cosmetic claims and medical assessments.”