A new international peer-reviewed dermatology journal has launched in Beijing, with the aim of strengthening China’s global academic voice while creating a broader platform for dermatology and venereology research.
Skin has been established as an English-language journal dedicated to research, clinical innovation, public health and translational science in skin health. Published by Higher Education Press on behalf of People’s Medical Publishing House Co Ltd, the journal is academically supported by China-Japan Friendship Hospital and The First Hospital of China Medical University.
A platform for China-rooted research
According to the journal’s launch materials, Skin has been created to address a gap in international dermatology publishing: the absence of a high-quality, English-language journal rooted in China but open to the global research community.
The editors note that Chinese dermatology has made significant progress in areas including genetics, immunology, imaging and novel therapeutics, yet researchers have lacked a dedicated international platform through which to publish original research grounded in China’s clinical and scientific experience.
The editorial also highlights the substantial burden of skin disease, noting that China records more than 240 million dermatology outpatient visits each year. This includes chronic inflammatory disorders, infectious diseases, autoimmune conditions, skin cancers and aesthetic concerns, all of which carry physical, psychological, social and economic implications.
International collaboration
The journal launch was marked by the 2026 Symposium on High-Level Journal Development in Dermatology and the inaugural meeting of Skin’s editorial board, held in Beijing on March 14.
Hosted by People’s Medical Publishing House, the meeting brought together senior publishing executives, dermatology leaders and the journal’s founding Editors-in-Chief, Professor Xinghua Gao and Professor Yong Cui. More than 160 participants attended the meeting, which also included the formal appointment of the editorial board.
Skin is supported by an international advisory board spanning North America, Europe, Asia and other regions, with the aim of ensuring rigorous peer review, broad representation and alignment with international publishing standards.
The inaugural issue includes articles on dermatology artificial intelligence, viral skin disease burden, zoster-associated pain, alopecia areata guidelines, data standardisation in dermatology research and clinical image reporting.
