International Magazine for Cosmetics and Fragrances
Plastics have long been the packaging material of choice in the cosmetics industry. They offer multiple advantages: being lightweight, formable, cost-efficient, and highly effective in protecting sensitive formulations. Plastics enable creative and functional packaging solutions tailored to a wide range of product needs.
As cosmetics manufacturers work to improve sustainability and cut down on single-use packaging, the spotlight tends to stay on primary, consumer-facing formats. While essential to brand image and customer experience, this often overshadows the substantial impact of bulk upstream packaging–used during manufacturing, storage, and transport.
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.
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.
For quite some time, it has been known that recycled plastics are used as packaging material for food or cosmetics. However, the safety of quality and its definition of post-consumer-recyclates (PCR) has not yet been clarified all-purpose. In June 2024, the consortium of CosPaTox (Cosmetics, Packaging and Toxicology) published an initial and voluntary testing strategy. PCR should be analyzed as cosmetic packaging and to ensure safe use in accordance with European Regulation (EC) No 1223/20091.
Lowering carbon emissions from beauty packaging is essential to reduce the impact of the industry, in the fight against climate change. The carbon footprint of packaging solutions encompasses their entire lifecycle, from material extraction to end of life. It is a complex issue, but technological advances are improving data collection and calculation methods, helping brands to make more informed purchasing choices.
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.
Transdermal therapy has emerged as a promising approach in the field of cosmetics, offering innovative solutions for skin care and treatment.
Syensqo is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Sustainable Guar Initiative. With COSSMA, Marie Arzel from Syensqo talks about past challenges and future opportunities.
Cosmetic manufacturers are facing heightened scrutiny under evolving standards, such as the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) of 2022. To preserve market share and stand apart from competitors, cosmetic manufacturers need to quickly assess and implement Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) by December 29, 2025. Achieving GMP standards by incorporating cleanroom technology is revolutionizing beauty salons, spas, and cosmetic manufacturing facilities. This shift is not just about compliance; it’s about leading the market with enhanced quality, safety, and innovation. Here are the 5 things you need to know to meet changing regulations.
The pressure of achieving the perfect skin has caused a reaction among end users. They are eschewing perfection in favor of health and wellbeing. The skinmalism trend started with the discovery of the harmful effects of certain ingredients. It is since being propelled by a yearning for comfort, with skin care transforming into precious moments of self-care. Now, it is up to formulators and packagers to produce solutions that simplify the skin care routine, with products that are efficient, multi-sensory, convenient and quick.
Luxury packaging has always been about storytelling. The gleam of a gold-accented cap, the satisfying weight of a glass jar, or the whisper of silk ribbon around a perfume bottle – each element carefully designed to seduce the senses.
In luxury, every detail matters, and protective packaging is no exception. It plays a defining role in the customer experience and helps create the exclusive and sophisticated moments that luxury brands are known for. The texture, sound, and design of packaging can be the determining factors that turn a purchase into a memorable experience.
The cosmetics industry has long been driven by the pursuit of aesthetic perfection. Luxurious textures, captivating fragrances, and visually appealing packaging are paramount. However, consumers are increasingly demanding that beauty brands prioritize eco-friendliness alongside aesthetics. Palm oil-derived ingredients offer a compelling solution, enabling brands to achieve both aesthetic excellence and genuine environmental responsibility, despite some public misunderstanding of the rigorous standards sustainable palm oil adheres too.
Customers are opting for brands that are sustainable due to increased concerns about ethical sourcing and the environmental footprint of skincare products. Through 2028, the organic skincare products’ market is projected to grow by US$ 2.98 billion at a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%. Due to the trend towards products developed using non-synthetic and herbal products, the skincare industry is set to drive the coming years.
Figures from the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association (IKW), show that the volume of cosmetics sold to women and men is continuously increasing. Even the coronavirus crisis has clearly not affected this trend and it is expected to continue in the future. However, the range of products and treatments on offer is subject to constant change. What can we expect in detail?
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Every year there are countless trends. Trends for the beauty industry as a whole and those trends for each segment like ingredients, packaging etc. Here in COSSMA’s new trend series, we try to collect as many trends for 2025 as possible. And not just any trends – your most important ones. Which ingredients can not be ignored? How to pack your products now? What tools help to develop the best products? How can we use KI to our advantage? Throughout the year we hopefully will get answers to all those questions… and many more! Let’s stay up to date!
Although they are the smallest target group for the cosmetic industry, they require greatest attention in research and development, production and vigilance: newborns, infants and toddlers.
Few industries are as focused on progress as packaging. In recent years, the sector has been defined by a refusal to do things the way they have always been done. This is integral to drive the shift towards the circular economy – but while material innovation may grab the headlines, ensuring we have the infrastructure and supply chains capable of supporting this new wave of materials is equally important.