About | Edith F Gibson, PhD

Her story

One chain, from raw material to practice

Edith F Gibson, PhD, is a Tropical Skincare Scientist, Medical Aesthetics Expert and Social Impact Entrepreneur. She is Founder and CEO of the Tropics Derma Research & Training Institute (TDRTI) and of XCAPE by Edith Delight.

Her work follows one chain: raw materials sourced and grown in Africa, cosmetic science in the laboratory, cosmetology in the creation of products, and education, treatment protocols and customisation protocols in practice, because different skins are different. The result is Tropical Skincare.

She is a passionate social impact, community development and women's empowerment advocate, and has received ministerial and presidential awards for her continuous work in developing and uplifting communities.

Dr Edith speaking on the Ladies in the Boardroom panel, Cameroon

The challenge

Why this work matters

Skin the science overlooked

Strong tropical UV, arriving at close to a 90-degree angle, drives four issues that shape the daily skin concerns of millions of people. Evidence from Africa has been thin.

Skin bleaching is a symptom

It is one part of the problem, driven by real hyperpigmentation. Dr Edith treats it as a reason to build better science, products and training.

Value leaves Africa

Raw materials grown in Africa are often exported, then return as imported finished products.

No recognised standard of practice

Professionals who treat tropical skin often have no tropical-specific training, protocols or licensing route.

Focus areas

Tropical Skincare sciencePolicy changeLocal raw materialsEducation and certificationWomen's empowermentCommunity empowermentIndustry and entrepreneurshipMedical aesthetics

Milestones

Key moments

2010 to 2017Seven years of research and clinical trials in Cameroon: 40,000 to 50,000 skin analysis samples identify four issues common to tropical skin.
2013Introduces medical aesthetics to Cameroon, later honoured with a Cameroonian ministerial award.
December 2022Presents and defends her Tropical Skincare research at the UNESCO symposium in Yaoundé, with Cameroon's Ministry of Health.
2024Takes part in a Cameroonian government training programme on sustainable botanical extraction, product development and professional practice. Receives the Lifetime Presidential Achievement Award from The White House.
2025Completes a nationwide research initiative in Nigeria with RMRDC and FMIST; second batch of TDRTI graduates. Presidential Service Lifetime Achievement Award, WILDE.
2026Tropical Skincare courses launch with the National Open University of Nigeria. Launches FUSBUS, an exhibition platform for Cameroonian entrepreneurs.

Credentials

Training and education

Doctorate in Industrial Psychology and MBA, Biltmore Christian University
Holistic and oncology skincare specialist, The Professional Skin Education, Burlington, NC
Medical Aesthetics Training, Grace Medical
Injection training and advanced injectables, National Laser Institute

UNESCO Regional Office for Central Africa, Yaoundé

Work with Dr Edith

Governments, universities, industry and event organisers: start a conversation about Tropical Skincare, policy and African industry.

Get in touch