Neuro
science meets Make-up

Make-up is more than color, coverage and 
finish–it can influence how people perceive themselves and how they feel. Neuroscience is helping to uncover the mechanisms behind this connection, from sensory experiences such as texture, fragrance and color to the emotional and cognitive responses triggered by applying make-up.

Givaudan

Givaudan continued the first nine months of the year with good volume growth and maintained its operations and global supply chain at a high level, despite continuing geopolitical volatility. Fragrance & Beauty sales were CHF 3,150 million, an increase of 8.8% LFL and an increase of 7.8% in Swiss francs, compared to 8.0% LFL and … Read more

Cosmogen

At the request of L’Oréal’s digital marketing teams, Cosmogen has developed a blush brush branded "Lorealistar", the Group’s loyalty programme for content creators. Designed to accompany the programme’s presence at events, including VivaTech in Paris last June, the brush features an aluminium handle and ferrule, with screen printing on the handle. The PBT bristles are … Read more

Contaminants in Cosmetics

We use a wide variety of different cosmetic products every day. These may inadvertently contain or be contaminated with substances in various ways, but not every substance compromises the safety and tolerability of cosme-tic products. As part of the safety assessment of a cosmetic product, consideration is given to the toxicological relevance of a substance and whether it may have a harmful effect on the consumer.

Strategies for Thinning Hair

Hair and scalp products are increasingly presented through the number and novelty of their 
active ingredients. For formulators, however, the more relevant question is whether those 
materials perform distinct and compatible functions in a product that can be used consistently. The evidence must then support the finished formula and the specific claims made for it.

China’s Beauty Market

The Chinese cosmetic market in 2025 was characterized by a profound structural transformation, moving from mass-market expansion to high-quality, brand-driven competition. The market is defined by the ascendance of domestic brands, increasingly rational and sophisticated 
consumer habits, and a dynamic but challenging competitive landscape.

From Greenwashing to Greentrusting

As European rules on green claims tighten, the challenge for cosmetic brands is no longer to find something green to say, but to say only what can be proven – and to build communication that holds up under scrutiny. Green claims carry the most weight when they are not, in the marketing sense, claims at all, but the natural output of how a business operates.

Biology at Work

As the cosmetics industry seeks more sustainable and efficient ways to produce high-­performance ingredients, fermentation is emerging as a next-generation manufacturing platform. By converting renewable feedstocks into valuable functional compounds, this biotechnology-
driven approach offers a compelling alternative to conventional production methods.

Beyond Compliance

Cosmetic brands and their packaging supply partners across Europe are facing what may be the most complex regulatory landscape the industry has ever encountered. While the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will come into effect on August 12, 2026, the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiative has entered its next phase, with the Recyclability 
Assessment Methodology (RAM) set to modulate EPR fees.

Fermented Beauty

The evolution of contemporary dermo-cosmetics is closely linked to the transition from conventional extraction methods to controlled biotechnological processes. Among these, precision bio-fermentation represents one of the most advanced 
responses to the need to combine high biological efficacy with stringent environmental sustainability criteria and rigorous chemical standardization across batches.

Preservation for Sensitive Skin

The list of approved preservatives in Annex V of the EU Cosmetics Regulation is extensive – but the way we think about them has changed dramatically. Over the years, the industry has moved away from traditional systems like formaldehyde donors toward more skin-friendly alternatives. ­Today, preservation is no longer just about protecting the product, but also about protecting the skin – especially when it comes to sensitive skin types.

Skin-Brain Innovation

The integration of neuroscience into skincare has revolutionized product development in the personal care market. Traditionally, skincare products have been developed with visible parameters in mind, such as hydration, elasticity, and pigmentation, while new innovations in this space are increasingly focused on the skin-brain axis, which refers to the bidirectional communication network between the central nervous system and skin physiology.

Rising Market

India’s beauty and personal care industry entered 2025 with two forces working in parallel: a structurally expanding consumer market and a faster-moving ingredient layer adapting to India’s climate, usage habits, and regulatory tightening. On the demand side, the India Brand Equity Foundation positions the beauty, cosmetics, and grooming market at around US$ 20 billion by 2025.

Redefining Barrier Care

Sensitive skin represents one of the most complex challenges in modern skincare formulation. It combines impaired barrier function with heightened nerve reactivity, causing the skin to overrespond to usually harmless stimuli and enter a cycle of dryness, discomfort, and vulnerability.

Key Trends
in Hair Care

The hair care ingredients market is evolving rapidly, driven by shifting consumer expectations, technological advances, and sustainability pressures. Modern consumers demand products that are not only effective but also safe, ethical, and environmentally friendly. In response, brands and formulators are rethinking ingredient selection, focusing on multifunctionality, clean labeling, and performance-driven innovation.

AI-powered Trend Analysis

Beauty trends are developing at an unprecedented speed these days. The “Dewy Blush” look has spread across TikTok, triggering 
a global demand for creamy blush textures within a matter of days. What started as 
a spontaneous beauty tip, has evolved into 
a phenomenon that is motivating millions of consumers to seek products that give them 
a natural glow. This dynamic represents a ­fundamental change for the beauty industry: companies must react quickly or risk being left behind.

Everything Beauty begins here

Hair plays an important role in self-esteem and self-confidence. Increasingly, consumers are approaching hair care with a scientific and dermatological mindset, seeking solutions that address the root causes of hair and scalp conditions. Reflecting broader trends from skincare, attention has shifted to the cellular level, where longevity and vitality are central themes.

Wellness Beauty keeps Growing

The wellness market keeps growing globally. According to the data presented by Statista during Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2025, the US are leading with a total value of over 2 trillion US dollars, with Asia following with more than 1.8 trillion US dollars. New trends and opportunities emerged to take advantage of the constant attention to wellbeing.

Turning point: Natural Cosmetics

The demand for natural and organic cosmetics has surged over the past two decades, driven by consumers’ growing preference for sustainable, transparent, and ethical products. In fact, the global natural personal care market is projected to show 4.9% compound annual growth rate, with revenues reaching $16.7 billion by 20281. This growth is largely fueled by consumers hazard avoidance linked to their perception of conventional chemicals in consumer products and their interest to seek out alternatives including natural and organic personal care products.

A Breakthrough for the Industry

Sustainable biosurfactant innovator ­AmphiStar has announced the findings of its latest LCA study. The data demonstrates the sustainability and health advantages of 
biosurfactants over traditional surfactants. Sophie Roelants, Co-founder and COO of AmphiStar, talks about the groundbreaking results of the study and what it means for the personal care industry.