Meet some of our presenters for the 10th International Symposium on Corneotherapy.
Dr. Johann van der Vyver (M.B.Ch.B, M.Fam.Med, DA, CCFP, P.Dip.Derm)
Medical Director, Corneotherapeutic practitioner, Clinical Lecturer- Dept. of Family Medicine, UC, Calgary
Dermanuva Medical Aesthetics, Olds, Calgary Alberta, Canada
Fields of activity/expertise:
• Skin-related medical conditions
• Practical Dermatology
Category: Dermatology
Presentation topic: Corneotherapy As Preventative Medicine - Lessons From Longitudinal Studies
Dr. van der Vyver obtained his medical degree from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, and subsequently completed a Master’s degree in Family Medicine (with distinction). His postgraduate qualifications include the Practical Dermatology Diploma (Cardiff, UK – distinction), in addition to formal training and clinical practice in anesthesia and acute care medicine. Dr. van der Vyver’s clinical career spans rural and community-based practice environments in South Africa and Canada, with extensive experience in comprehensive primary care, emergency medicine, obstetrics, and anesthesia, later transitioning to a dedicated skin-focused clinical practice.
He is also committed to humanitarian medical service and has participated in medical missions to Africa for over twelve years, reflecting a sustained dedication to service-oriented medicine.
Dr. van der Vyver’s IAC Lecture 2025, Potsdam: “Signalling Pathways in the Skin – Modulated by Dermatological and Cosmetic Treatments.” was one of the most praised, and is one of the most watched on our on-demand video portal.
Maria Rylott-Byrd BA Hons, CIDESCO, CIBTAC, AET
Chair I.A.C Executive Committee, The Corneotherapy Consultant™
United Kingdom
Fields of activity/expertise:
• Corneotherapy Education
• Corneotherapy Advocacy
• Industry Consultancy
Category: Applied Corneotherapy
Presentation topic: Modern Skin Disorders In Teens and Young Adults - The Influence Of Products and Pressure
With nearly four decades in the beauty industry, Maria Rylott-Byrd dedicates her experience to advancing Corneotherapy through mentoring, education, events and community leadership. As a practising corneotherapist, she understands the realities therapists face and is committed to strengthening confidence in physiology-led, functional skin care. She creates spaces for professionals to connect, question and learn together, supporting the industry through teaching, consultancy and collaborative events.
Now Chair of the International Association for Applied Corneotherapy, Maria is committed to empowering practitioners, raising public awareness of skin health and establishing clear benchmarks for True Corneotherapy worldwide.
Andy Millward – Functional Facialist & Naturopathic Nutritionist
CIBTAC Level 4, BABTAC, ANP, DipCNM
United Kingdom
Fields of activity/expertise:
• Applied Corneotherapy
• Functional & Restorative Facial Therapy
• Naturopathic Nutrition
Topic Category: Applied Corneotherapy
Presentation topic: Rethinking “Glow” – The Cost of Constant Exfoliation
Andy Millward is a highly respected Functional Facialist, practising Corneotherapist and Naturopathic Nutritionist, known for his results driven, integrative approach to skin health. His work challenges conventional aesthetic practices, prioritising barrier repair, skin function and intelligent restraint over aggressive intervention.
Based in Birmingham, Andy combines advanced facial therapy with nutritional science, working from the principle that the skin does not function in isolation. Alongside his clinical practice, he is an experienced educator, teaching advanced therapists and aesthetic practitioners across the industry and is regularly featured in national media as a trusted skin health expert.
Rachel Robertson CIBTAC, CIDESCO
Vice Chair of I.A.C., Corneotherapist, Founder and CEO; Prologic Skin Care
New Zealand
Fields of activity:
• Cosmetic Chemistry & Advanced Formulation
• Corneobiology & Epidermal Barrier Science
• Applied Corneotherapy Education
• Industry Leadership & Advocacy
Category: Applied Corneotherapy
Presentation topic: The Over Treated Epidermis – Industry Trends That Are Breaking Skin
Rachel Robertson is an internationally respected leader in applied corneotherapy, cosmetic chemistry and epidermal barrier science. She is recognised for her innovative thinking and purpose driven approach to skin health. Her work challenges conventional industry practices and champions a more intelligent, physiology led future for skincare.
Driven by the scientific need she saw has a practicing Corneotherapist, Rachel pursued advanced post graduate studies in cosmetic chemistry and corneobiology, forming the foundation for her work as the formulator of a dedicated corneotherapeutic skincare brand. Her formulation philosophy prioritises biological compatibility, barrier integrity and longterm skin resilience, positioning her at the forefront of modern corneotherapeutic formulation.
As Vice Chair of the International Association of Applied Corneotherapy, Rachel provides global leadership in education, advocacy and professional standards. An entrepreneur, educator and mentor, she is deeply committed to empowering practitioners, supporting ethical business growth and inspiring the next generation of industry leaders. Her mission extends beyond skin treatment to elevating confidence, capability and purpose across the global skin community.
Nichelle Foster Mosley, CIDESCO, LE
Corneotherapist, Licensed Esthetician, Author, Trauma-informed somatic facilitator, founder of The Skin Barrier Academy.
Education Commission member, I.A.C.
United States
Fields of activity:
• Corneotherapist
• Professional educator
• Specialist on Global Majority Skin
• Author
Category: Applied Corneotherapy
Presentation topic: Post-Inflammatory Pigmentation and Barrier Dysfunction In Global Majority Skin
Nichelle Foster Mosley is an international award-winning licensed esthetician, CIDESCO-certified corneotherapy specialist, published author, and trauma-informed somatic facilitator redefining the future of skin health through barrier-first, culturally conscious care.
As the founder of a number of innovative organisations, Nichelle leads a global movement advancing corneotherapy as essential clinical competence, not a trend.
Her work centers the skin barrier as both a biological and lived system, integrating corneotherapy, nervous system regulation, social-emotional learning, and cultural competence to address the realities of Global Majority skin.
Dr Hans Lautenschläger, PhD
Organic chemist, Author
Managing director of KOKO Kosmetikvertrieb GmbH & Co. KG, Leichlingen
Germany
Fields of activity/expertise:
• Development of cosmetic & dermatological products
• Skin protection
• Phospholipids
• Carriers of cosmetic active agents
Category: Corneotherapy
Presentation topic: Corneotherapeutic Skin Care – What Works & What Doesn't
Dr Lautenschläger studied chemistry and physics at the Free University of Berlin, graduating with a doctorate in organic Chemistry.
Dr Lautenschläger is specialized on the development, production and sales of physiological skin care since 1998.
He was a founding member of the I.A.C. and was the inaugural Vice Chairman of the I.A.C. from 2013- 2025.
René Serbon
Corneotherapy Educator, head of I.A.C. Education board
Skin Treatment Expert, and Industry Consultant.
Canada
Fields of activity:
• Corneotherapist and Electrologist
• Corneotherapy Educator
• Skin barrier & treatment Expert
• Industry Consultant
Category: Practical Corneotherapy
Presentation topic: Social Media vs Science - The Battle For Evidence Based Skin Care
Like many leading Corneotherapy icons, Rene's career moved into high gear with the help of mentor Florence Barrett-Hill and her Advanced Skin Analysis program. The journey from "just another esthetician" to a respected skin expert took a few years, but the thirst for knowledge and appetite for education in every facet of the professional skin care business has reaped huge rewards.
In addition to her Corneotherapy product distribution enterprise, she offers education and consultancy services globally. Her mission is to enhance, transform, and empower as many skin treatment therapists as she can to make a difference to their clients skins and their business success.
Dr Katerina Steveton, PhD
PhD in chemistry (natural compounds), consultant, skin care clinician,
Wound Healing research group, Department of Dermatology, University Kiel, Germany
Fields of activity:
• Skin care clinician
• Independent consultant
• Research
• Scientific writing
• Business development
Category: Corneotherapy research
Presentation topic: Corneotherapy And The Skin Brain Axis - Modern Research
Dr Katerina Steventon is a skincare specialist with substantial experience of working at the clinical, commercial and research interface.
She holds a MSc in Clinical Biochemistry, a PhD in Transdermal Absorptions and over 30 years of global work experience in the personal care and wound care industry. Katerina has an in-depth knowledge of skin biology in both its healthy and diseased states, a comprehensive understanding of consumer and technology trends and commercialisation of research in a spectrum of healthcare areas.
She has experience of running an innovation consultancy and a private clinic with a focus on bringing psychodermatology into personal care.
Ghita Lanzendörfer-Yu, PhD
Chemist, Scientific Communicator. Independent consultant and writer, Mülheim-Ruhr,Germany
Fields of activity:
• Consulting on cosmetic development
• Consulting on cosmetic production
• Skin structure – Efficacy of cosmetic formulations
• Publishing – Blogging on cosmetic topics
Category: Corneotherapy
Presentation topic: The Skin Barrier As Public Health - From Infancy To Elderly
Ghita began her career in skin care with global cosmetics giants Beiersdorf and Schwan cosmetics, and has been active in the IAC scientific advisory board since 2018 and the education commission. She has profound experience in the development of cosmetic and dermatologic formulations, skin barrier function and introduced the microbiome in the corneotherapeutic discussions.
She is a regular contributor to the cosmetic magazine Beauty Forum with a strong focus on sustainability and corneotherapy. In 2021 she enlarged her field of expertise towards the fight of the climate crisis and publishing articles for the online magazine wurstend.net, taking action in local initiatives and politics.
Donna Glazer
Corneotherapist, Skin science educator, Founder & CEO I.D. Skincare
United KIngdom
Fields of activity:
• Award winning clinician
• Corneotherapy educator
• Established skin Care expert
Category: Applied Corneotherapy
Presentation topic: Recovery Strategies Through Corneotherapy Principles
With nearly 40 years in the beauty industry, I’ve spent the last three decades specialising exclusively in skin. Early in my career, I was fortunate to have learnt from Florence Barrett-Hill, (Inaugural I.A.C. chair) giving me the privilege of learning corneotherapy principles long before I even knew the term.
I transformed my beauty business into a dedicated skin clinic that still running today and I have remained a hands-on, working Skincare Professional.
For the past 17 years, I’ve also had the privilege of distributing a leading Corneotherapeutic product line that deepened my understanding of how the skin responds when products are truly aligned with Corneotherapeutic values.
Seeing corneotherapy in action on real skin, in real time, has shaped my work and led me into skin education, helping professionals and clients. This journey has now brought me to writing my book on Practical Corneotherapy, something beyond my wildest dreams.
Stay tuned! More presenters announced soon.
