The British Skin Foundation (BSF) is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to funding research into all types of skin disease — from common conditions that affect everyday life to life-threatening illness such as skin cancer. At its heart, BSF’s mission is simple: to save and improve the lives of people living with skin conditions and skin cancer by supporting vital scientific inquiry and innovation.

Founded with the understanding that skin is the body’s largest organ and yet remains one of the most under-funded areas of medical research, BSF steps in to raise awareness, provide resources, and channel funding to projects that can make a meaningful difference. Whether the research is exploring sun-damage prevention, rare genetic dermatological conditions, or the psychological and social impact of visible skin disease — BSF is committed to “understanding skin disease inside out.” One of the key strengths of BSF is its role in bridging the gap between laboratory science and real-world impact. By collaborating with dermatologists, universities, specialist hospitals and skin-condition charities, BSF helps turn pioneering ideas into practical treatments, therapies and support systems for people. With its funding model, BSF ensures that even smaller, often overlooked conditions receive attention — because to BSF, every skin story matters.

The Foundation is also keenly aware of the emotional, social and personal dimensions of skin disease. Many skin conditions carry stigma, impact self-esteem and affect quality of life beyond the purely physical symptoms. BSF works to support research and public-education campaigns that shine a light on the hidden burden of skin conditions — highlighting that the impact is often more than skin-deep. For instance, BSF’s “Skin and Mind” initiative explores the link between skin diseases and mental health.