The delicate hybrids thriving in the balmy climes of Provence, southern France’s traditional perfume region, include sweet jasmine, May roses — and fresh layers of artificial human skin. By 2009, only companies that shun the use of animals in testing will be allowed to sell makeup in Europe.

Scientists here are working feverishly to develop new technologies to test cosmetics before a European Union ban on animal testing begins in March 2009.

Money: Cosmetics makers need artificial skin to eliminate tests on animals