03 | from compounding pharmacy to precision medicine: The role of tailor-made formulations in aesthetic dermatology

Tailor-made formulations have long represented a practical expression of individualized care in dermatology, allowing dose, vehicle, and active ingredients to be adapted to the patient’s specific clinical needs and skin characteristics. In aesthetic dermatology, where efficacy, tolerability, sensory acceptability, and adherence are all critical, magistral compounding remains highly relevant as a tool to bridge therapeutic gaps not always covered by standardized commercial products. This presentation explores the evolving role of custom-made formulations as a bridge between traditional galenic practice and modern precision medicine. Compounded dermatologic preparations can optimize treatment in patients with sensitive skin, intolerance to excipients, localized anatomical requirements, or the need for combinations and concentrations not available in industrial formulations. At the same time, precision dermatology is increasingly integrating phenotypic profiling, barrier function assessment, molecular biomarkers, microbiome-related factors, and patient-reported outcomes to refine therapeutic selection. Rather than opposing each other, galenic compounding and precision medicine should be viewed as complementary approaches. The former provides immediate clinical flexibility, while the latter offers a biologically informed framework for treatment personalization. In aesthetic dermatology, this convergence is especially meaningful, because the formulation itself is part of the therapeutic response: vehicle choice can influence penetration, irritation, cosmetic acceptability, and long-term adherence. Ultimately, tailor-made formulations should not be regarded as a legacy practice, but as a dynamic platform where compounding, dermocosmetic technology, and precision dermatology meet to improve efficacy, safety, and patient-centered care.