Inflammatory skin diseases are rarely isolated conditions. They exist within a complex biological, clinical, and psychosocial ecosystem that spans multiple diagnoses, pathways, and patient experiences. Galderma’s SKIN (Skin Knowledge Innovation Network) was established to reflect this reality by bringing together a global network of dermatologists to advance a more connected, holistic understanding of skin health. Reflecting Galderma’s commitment to education, through SKIN enables scientific exchange, cross-disciplinary dialogue, and practical learning, which focuses on the interconnections and burden of inflammatory skin diseases across multiple conditions. Educational events, collaborative forums, and shared research discussions within the network demonstrate how collective learning can help support more integrated patient care.

Navigating complexity: Why SKIN matters

New research continues to deepen the field’s understanding of skin barrier biology, neuroimmune interactions, and inflammatory mechanisms. We are learning more about the skin’s underlying mechanisms and how inflammatory skin diseases are complex, multifaceted, and often interconnected. These scientific advances are exciting and can benefit from accessible, high‑quality platforms to translate them into clinical practice and improve patient outcomes. Keeping this in mind, this year’s SKIN annual summit expanded beyond its previous focus on atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis to encompass a broader spectrum of inflammatory skin diseases.

“The SKIN initiative underscores Galderma’s commitment to advancing dermatology through education, innovation, and partnership. By fostering a deeper, shared understanding of disease complexity, we can translate science into meaningful, long‑term impact for patients at every life stage.”

— Bill Andriopoulos, Head of Global Medical Affairs, Galderma

Beyond the skin

Designed as a forum for connection and shared learning, the SKIN medical summit brings the network’s vision to life. Since its first edition last year, the SKIN medical summit is establishing itself as a leading platform for high-quality scientific exchange, bringing together experts from around the world. This year, over 150 attendees from more than 15 countries convened in Frankfurt, to explore holistic approaches to caring for patients with inflammatory skin diseases. The 2026 meeting content covered a breadth of inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis, prurigo nodularis, acne, and sensitive skin - exploring the biological and clinical presentations across different conditions and more holistic approaches to patient care. Through the exchange of practical insights and emerging approaches, the summit helped create actionable insights that can be applied in daily practice, supporting consistent, informed care across regions and specialties. Through these ongoing educational initiatives, Galderma continues to advance dermatology for every skin story.

“Something that really stands out to me about the SKIN medical summit is that we are including disease states that for too long were not even considered as true diseases, such as prurigo nodularis or sensitive skin syndrome. When we get to the underpinnings of these conditions, it gives us insight into other diseases as well, such as acne or atopic dermatitis. While they’re distinct diseases, there could be similar mechanisms that mean developments in one could help us understand how to better take care of others.” 

— Prof. Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD 
Professor and Chair of Dermatology, The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, United States

Driving dermatology forward

Creating opportunities for ongoing collaboration is essential if we are to continue advancing dermatology and improving patient outcomes, especially for inflammatory skin diseases. By continuing to invest in high‑quality educational initiatives like SKIN, Galderma aims to ensure that clinicians have access to a peer network, and every patient benefits from the collective expertise of a global dermatology community.

This content is for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. If you or someone close to you are/is experiencing symptoms or need(s) more information on inflammatory skin diseases, please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance.