SkinMedica launches advisory board and expands R&D lab in Irvine
Allergan Aesthetics, a unit of AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), announced several initiatives for its SkinMedica skincare brand, including a new advisory board, an expanded research facility, and retail locations at select medical practices.
SkinMedica launched a Regenerative Science Advisory Board composed of physicians, clinicians, and skin health experts. The board will engage through in-person meetings, virtual consultations, and content on SkinMedica-owned platforms, with a focus on scientific dialogue and clinical best practices.
The company also expanded its SkinMedica research and development lab in Irvine, Calif., to more than double its previous footprint. The facility supports pre-clinical research and imaging technologies aimed at studying skin biology. SkinMedica said it is using artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify biological targets and accelerate ingredient discovery.
"The expanded SkinMedica R&D Lab reflects our commitment to advancing the future of skincare through scientific excellence, strategic collaboration, and emerging technologies," said Prithwiraj Maitra, Ph.D., vice president of global skincare R&D at Allergan Aesthetics.
SkinMedica also opened its first in-practice flagship retail locations at select medical aesthetics practices. The initial sites are at Lycia Thornburg, M.D. Dermatology in Rapid City, S.D., and The Skin Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz. Additional locations are planned across U.S. markets during 2026.
The retail spaces are designed to allow patients to test products and learn about the brand's skincare offerings within a clinical practice setting.
