How Dr. Salma Younes Is Redefining the Future of Skin Science

From Childhood Curiosity to Scientific Discovery

Long before Dr. Salma Younes became a scientist, inventor and founder, her interest in formulation science began with simple curiosity.

Before the age of 10, Salma had created a small experimental space at home, where she mixed ingredients, made her own simple skincare and cosmetic formulations, and explored how changes in composition affected the final result. What began as childhood curiosity gradually developed into a lasting interest in chemistry, biomedical science and formulation design.

Over time, that early interest developed into a scientific career focused on biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences. Rather than simply studying existing technologies, Salma became increasingly interested in asking how scientific materials and formulations could be improved, redesigned and applied in new ways.

Today, the Egyptian scientist is based in Qatar. After completing her PhD in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Qatar University, she is currently serving as a postdoctoral researcher at Qatar University’s College of Medicine.

Alongside her academic work, Salma is helping build a deep-tech venture focused on connecting scientific research, product development and commercialization.

Her journey reflects a growing movement within modern science, where researchers are increasingly exploring how discoveries can move beyond academic research and contribute to practical innovation.

Building a New Approach to Formulation Science

At the center of Salma’s work is Dermo-Cosmétiques Porcelis inc., a Canadian deep-tech dermocosmetics company headquartered in Montreal, Quebec.

Salma co-founded the company alongside Faleh Mariño Tamimi and Mazen El-Masri.

She also serves as Co-founder and CEO of Porcelis Research and Development in Natural Sciences in Qatar, where she leads R&D operations connecting scientific research, product development and commercialization.

The work behind Porcelis is centered on a patented material platform that explores a different approach to formulation science.

Traditional gels commonly depend on polymers or thickening agents to create their structure and texture. Porcelis investigates mineral-based materials that can self-assemble into a gel-like structure without relying on conventional gelling agents.

This polymer-free approach opens new possibilities for how certain formulations may be designed.

The science behind the platform is technical, but the larger idea is straightforward: exploring whether materials can be engineered differently from the beginning.

For Salma, this work is not simply about creating another skincare product. It represents an opportunity to explore new material platforms and investigate how they could support future applications in dermocosmetics, pharmaceuticals and biomedical science.

Connecting Science, Research and Product Development

Scientific discovery and commercial development do not always follow the same path.

Research requires experimentation, testing and scientific validation. Building a company requires additional considerations, including product development, intellectual property, partnerships, strategy and market readiness.

Salma’s current work brings these areas together.

Through her roles across the Canadian and Qatar-based Porcelis entities, she is involved in connecting scientific research with the next stages of development.

Her focus includes advancing the patented technology toward practical applications, beginning with dermocosmetics while continuing to explore its wider scientific potential.

The transition from scientific research into product development requires careful work. A promising material must not only demonstrate scientific value but also be evaluated for how it can be developed, scaled and applied responsibly.

For Salma, this stage represents an important part of her professional journey, bringing together her scientific background with her work in technology development and innovation.

Recognition Built on Scientific Research

Salma’s work has received international recognition.

She was named to Forbes Middle East’s 30 Under 30 2024 list in the Science and Technology category for her work on sustainable antimicrobial hydrogels.

In 2025, MIT Technology Review Arabia selected her as one of its Innovators Under 35 MENA.

She was also elected a Full Member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, in 2026.

Before the age of 30, and even before completing her PhD, she had contributed to more than 55 scientific publications and reached an h-index of 22.

These achievements reflect years of research, collaboration and scientific contribution.

For Salma, recognition is not only about individual milestones. It also reflects the wider importance of research and the potential for scientific ideas to create new opportunities.

A Woman Building Her Place in Deep Tech

One of the most significant aspects of Salma’s journey is her work as a woman in deep tech.

Scientific and technology-driven fields have historically seen women underrepresented, particularly in areas involving invention, research commercialization and company building.

Salma’s career demonstrates the possibilities that can emerge when scientific expertise is combined with the confidence to pursue new ideas.

The work behind Porcelis developed through scientific research, experimentation and collaboration. Transforming that work into a patented material platform and building organizations around its continued development has become one of the defining chapters of Salma’s career.

Yet her idea of success extends beyond patents, publications and recognition.

One of the moments she values most is hearing from younger women who say that her journey has helped them imagine themselves pursuing careers in science, technology and innovation.

For Salma, that kind of impact carries particular meaning.

Representation can influence what younger generations believe is possible. Seeing women involved in scientific research, invention and deep-tech development can encourage others to pursue paths they may not previously have considered.

Questioning What Seems Impossible

Scientific progress often begins with a question.

For Salma, asking questions and remaining open to unexpected possibilities has been an important part of her approach to research.

Scientific work does not always produce immediate answers. Experiments can lead to unexpected results, and promising ideas often require repeated testing and refinement.

Salma’s experience has reinforced the importance of patience and evidence.

An idea may initially appear difficult or unconventional, but scientific progress requires researchers to investigate possibilities carefully rather than dismissing them too quickly.

For her, existing knowledge provides an important foundation, while curiosity creates space for new questions and alternative approaches.

However, belief alone is not enough.

Ideas must be supported through experimentation, evidence and continued research.

This balance between imagination and scientific discipline has shaped the way Salma approaches her work.

The Bigger Vision Behind Porcelis

While the initial focus for Porcelis is dermocosmetics, the patented material platform may have wider potential.

The research behind polymer-free, self-assembling mineral gels could support future exploration across dermocosmetic, pharmaceutical and biomedical formulations.

Salma’s broader vision is to contribute to the development of a new category of materials and expand how researchers and companies think about formulation design.

This vision places Porcelis at the intersection of materials science, healthcare, beauty and technology development.

It also reflects the evolution of Salma’s own professional path.

Her early interest in mixing ingredients and observing how formulations changed gradually developed into formal scientific research. Today, that interest has expanded into work involving material platforms, scientific publications, patented technology and product development.

The scale of the questions may have changed, but the underlying interest in understanding how materials behave has remained consistent.

Staying Curious and Moving Forward

Salma’s journey continues to develop.

The next chapter involves advancing Porcelis’s technology, strengthening research and development, building partnerships and exploring where the material platform can create meaningful value.

Her work brings together scientific research, product development and a long-term vision for innovation.

Yet the philosophy behind her journey remains remarkably simple: stay curious.

Salma often draws inspiration from Albert Einstein’s words: “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”

The quote reflects a mindset that has remained important throughout her life.

Her story is not defined by one award, publication or invention. It is a journey shaped by years of learning, research, experimentation and the willingness to continue exploring difficult questions.

For aspiring scientists and young women entering innovation, Salma’s journey offers an important reminder that curiosity can be the beginning of something much bigger.

Sometimes, the most meaningful breakthroughs begin with a simple question—and the determination to keep searching for the answer.

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