An Interview with Raphaël Aknin, Founder of Cible Skin
Born into a medical family in Lyon, France, Raphaël Aknin was deeply influenced by his father, Dr. Joël Aknin, a renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeon. This environment nurtured Raphaël’s lifelong passion for medicine. After earning his doctorate in pharmacy, he joined a leading biotech company, where he dedicated himself to groundbreaking research in cell immunology and the human skin microbiome, achieving remarkable breakthroughs.
Driven by a vision of bridging immunology and modern pharmaceuticals, Raphaël founded Cible Skin in Paris in 2015. Over the next seven years, he relentlessly innovated, expanding the brand’s offerings from medical-grade anti-aging solutions to spa therapies and, ultimately, immunology-based skincare. His commitment to excellence culminated in the creation of a “medical skincare palace” on Avenue Montaigne, Paris’s iconic luxury destination. The motto “True skin beauty stems from health” has been the cornerstone of his product development. He insists on formulations that are both highly effective and impeccably clean, adhering to a strict principle: No innovation, no new products. This unwavering dedication to quality reflects his mission to empower individuals to overcome sensitive, fragile, and problematic skin – achieving instead a radiant, resilient, and healthy complexion. SpaChina had the privilege of interviewing him.
How has your family background shaped your understanding of the skincare industry?
My father has always emphasized that true beauty stems from health – it is both the foundation and the essence. As professionals in science and medicine, our mission goes beyond refining our technical expertise; it is equally about consistently sharing evidence-based care concepts and practices with patients, empowering them to maintain and enhance not just their skin, but their overall well-being.
While chronological age cannot be reversed, with rigorous and science-backed intervention strategies, the “functional age” of the skin and body can be significantly delayed – even maintained in an ideal state for years to come.
This is precisely why we have introduced and consistently uphold the philosophy of Clinical Longevity – an approach rooted in clinical research, dedicated to extending the healthy lifespan of both skin and body, enabling sustainable youthfulness and vitality.
Cible Skin’s flagship store on Avenue Montaigne in Paris is hailed as a “Medical Skincare Palace.” How does its design and services reflect the brand’s philosophy that “true skin beauty stems from health”?
Since 1987, Cible Skin has been a pioneer in the industry, introducing a wide range of high-precision diagnostic devices for skin, hair, and body analysis. We firmly believe that truly effective treatments and solutions must be grounded in rigorous and accurate consultation and diagnostics.
This philosophy is fully embodied in the Clinique de Longévité Cible Skin. From advanced skin analysis and consultations with experienced physicians, to meticulously customized treatment protocols, and even nutritionist-designed juice and dietary prescriptions tailored to specific skin concerns, the clinic offers a holistic, step-by-step approach that integrates internal and external care. We are committed to a data-driven practice where every treatment is measurable and evidence-based.
From earning a doctorate in pharmacy to conducting biotech research and founding a skincare brand, how have you bridged cellular immunology with skincare product development?
While my father dedicated his career to plastic surgery, I was drawn to skincare as an essential, daily act of self-care that touches everyone’s life. His clinic was always fully booked – yet skincare products have the power to transcend geography, reaching people in every corner of the world. That’s why, whether pursuing a PhD in pharmacy or conducting research in a biotech company, my goal has always remained the same: to create truly effective and trustworthy skincare solutions rooted in rigorous science and research.
My academic and professional journey has consistently revolved around life sciences and medical innovation. During my PhD, I focused on pharmaceutics, formulation science, and the mechanisms of active ingredients within the human body. Later, in the biotechnology sector, I shifted my research to cellular immunology and skin microbiome science – gaining a deeper understanding of the skin as the body’s largest and most complex immune organ.
This interdisciplinary background led me to a key realization: skincare should go beyond surface-level aesthetics. It should aim to enhance the skin’s own immune function and regenerative capacity through scientific intervention. I aspire to translate advances in immunology into practical formulations and treatment protocols – products that not only deliver visible results, but also work on a cellular level to slow aging and strengthen the skin’s resilience. That vision became the foundation of Cible Skin. It is why each Cible Skin formula is more than just skincare – it’s a scientifically grounded, long-term health solution.
Could you share the journey of the IDANS® patent from the lab to commercialization? How does this breakthrough traditional anti-aging approaches?
The IDANS® proprietary technology is born from in-depth research into the skin’s innate immune mechanisms and the concept of clinical skin longevity – a long-term, clinically backed approach to maintaining youthful skin.
While traditional ingredients such as retinol and peptides merely push aging cells to work harder – a method with limited long-term efficacy – IDANS® takes a fundamentally different path: it creates new, youthful cells, rebuilding the skin’s vitality at its source. It’s like installing brand-new machinery, rather than forcing old equipment to keep running. The result is a more comprehensive, lasting, and safe solution for true skin longevity.
While FSC-certified packaging and “zero harmful ingredients” are sustainability standards in Europe, Chinese consumers prioritize immediate visible effects. How do you communicate the value of eco-conscious practices to this audience?
In Europe, FSC-certified packaging and “zero harmful ingredients” are considered baseline standards for sustainability. In China, however, we translate these environmental and safety principles into a form of value that resonates more directly with consumers – clean & effective skincare.
This approach not only guarantees safe formulations and pure ingredients but also ensures that visible skin improvements are achieved without compromising safety. This philosophy of being “clean yet high-performing” has been at the heart of Cible Skin’s mission since day one – a core value we continue to uphold and advocate.
Cible Skin is available in luxury hotel spas and medical aesthetic clinics. Why pursue both lifestyle and medical beauty markets?
In luxury hotel spas, Cible Skin caters to a discerning clientele – both high-end travelers and local guests – who prioritize indulgence, relaxation, and quality of life. For them, skincare is a lifestyle choice, deeply connected to brand storytelling, sensory experience, ritualistic care, and an immersive service atmosphere.
In contrast, clients in medical aesthetic clinics are more results-driven. They seek measurable, verifiable efficacy, and are willing to follow treatment protocols using high-performance skincare under professional guidance. These clients pay particular attention to clinical data and scientific validation.
As a premium medical skincare brand, Cible Skin is uniquely positioned to operate in both spaces. This dual-channel presence allows us to meet the diverse expectations of high-end consumers — while also creating a closed-loop ecosystem that balances emotional resonance (lifestyle and sensory appeal) with rational trust (professional credibility and clinical results).
How have your collaborations with Chinese celebrities/KOLs been?
When Cible Skin first entered the Chinese market, its strong brand identity and proven product efficacy quickly won the favor of numerous celebrities and influencers. We successfully partnered with top-tier livestreamers across major platforms – including Austin (Li Jiaqi) on Tmall, Teresa (Zhang Xiaohui) and Dong Jie on Xiaohongshu.
As a result, e-commerce is already a well-developed channel for us. Looking ahead, we also hope to see an increasingly supportive and transparent e-commerce environment in China.
What are Cible Skin’s goals for the Chinese market in the next 5 years?
To be honest, given how rapidly the Chinese market evolves, no one can fully predict what the landscape will look like five years from now.
For me, rather than chasing distant numerical targets, what truly matters is staying grounded – running solid operations, taking good care of every customer, supporting each partner with sincerity, and dedicating ourselves to the thoughtful development of every single product.
Instead of saying what kind of success I hope Cible Skin will achieve in China five years from now, I’d rather say this: I hope that five years down the line, we will have genuinely improved the skin health of more consumers through our clinical skin longevity philosophy – and built a loyal, trusting community around the brand.
That, to me, is an ambitious and meaningful goal worth striving for.