Emerging directions in neurocosmetics : sensory, emotional and digital pathways in cutaneous science

Neurocosmetics have developed into a multidisciplinary area that recognises the skin as a sensory and neuroendocrine organ capable of influencing emotional states and physiological responses. While early neurocosmetic strategies focused mainly on neuromodulating molecules, recent advances reveal broader mechanisms involving tactile neuroscience, chemesthetic regulation, neuroimmune communication, microbiome interactions, and digital emotional analytics. This article highlights these emerging insights and introduces a refreshed framework for understanding how the skin senses and responds to its environment. By bringing together advances in sensory biology, psychodermatology, and digital health, it offers new directions for the future of neurocosmetic research and clinical practice.