Linked BIONAP banner for in-cosmetics Global 2026 in Paris, April 14–16, promoting bioactive natural products at Booth 3G59.
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Pakistan faces global pressure to “walk the talk” on toxic skin-whitening creams

Over 20 international health and environmental organizations have called on Pakistan’s Competition Commission (CCP) to halt the manufacture and global trade of mercury-containing skin-whitening creams. The move intensifies scrutiny of the country’s cosmetics manufacturing sector, after a recent testing round found that 35 of 37 creams manufactured in Pakistan contained mercury levels thousands of times higher than the legal limit. The coalition, which includes the Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG), the California Department of Public Health, and NGOs across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, has sent a letter to the CCP calling for stronger enforcement of existing bans on mercury-based formulations.
Hands making a natural beauty product.
Side streams to scalable solutions: Upcycled ingredients fuel beauty R&D
Cosmetic and beauty formulators are increasingly recognizing the functional benefits that upcycled ingredients deliver in personal care innovation. Among these benefits are more robust supply chains and clearer quality frameworks, leading to more appealing products. As the industry demonstrates that upcycled materials can meet beauty buyers’ expectations, products made with upcycled ingredients are progressively used.Personal Care Insights speaks with Tate & Lyle, Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions, and The Upcycled Beauty Company to discuss how cosmetic upcycled ingredients are gaining attention due to consumer expectations, brand strategy, and ingredient supplier innovation.
A woman holding a bottle of Firmwear serum.
“Next phase of skin care”: Bioelements harnesses green technology in serum
US-based skin care company Bioelements has launched Firmwear, a serum powered by a blend of bio- and green technology. The biotech firm and lift serum harness biomimetic miniprotein to visibly lift skin, refine texture, and rejuvenate, which the company claims leads to a more sculpted appearance. Among the key ingredients in Firmwear is miniprotien. It stimulates collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production to reduce the appearance of expression lines by directly influencing specific growth factor receptors, and improves skin structure and density. 
Mane Kancor Technical Paper
A Patented Breakthrough in Scalp Health — Learn more from the clinical study results
Purakan™ is a patented breakthrough in natural scalp care, proven to outperform market leaders on pruritus, dandruff, itching, and flaking. It replaces synthetic options like ZPT and piroctone olamine. Clinical studies show 89.7% of participants experienced reduced dandruff and itching within just seven days.This technical paper is brought to you by Mane Kancor.
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Formulating texture in skincare: a data-driven approach to replacing synthetic thickeners
Consumers are actively seeking natural ingredients in their skincare products, and the pressure is on formulators to deliver clean-label solutions without compromising product look and feel. In this webinar, Tate & Lyle and Innova Market Insights experts discuss how this trend is shaping innovation and how brands can tackle formulation challenges. We explore how nature-based, readily biodegradable ingredients combined with a proprietary methodology can replace synthetics, while maintaining the desired physical and sensorial properties. Through individual product variables mapped against our ingredient data repository, we can reduce reformulation complexity and minimize the need for panel testing. Our model simplifies multivariable measurements into easy-to-interpret results — accelerating development and enabling brands to meet consumer demand for naturally derived skincare products.  Join us to say goodbye to synthetics, fast!
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IFF: Tapping robotics for faster fragrance development
Beauty companies are under growing pressure to shorten cosmetics development cycles. To keep pace, fragrance houses are investing in automation that can cut sampling and formulation timelines while also improving precision. International Flavors and Fragrances’ (IFF) installation of its Colibri smart-dosing robot in Singapore reflects the wider industry shift toward modernized operations. The company tells us how its high-tech intervention can accelerate time-to-market in Asia’s fast-moving beauty landscape.

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Robertet invests in Aethera Biotech for plant-based cosmetic ingredients
Woman's face surrounded by leaves
Robertet has announced a strategic investment in Aethera Biotech to expand its biotechnology activities and strengthen its portfolio of cosmetic active ingredients. The two companies have been in partnership for nearly two years, during which time they developed natural cosmetic ingredients and extracts using Aethera’s biotechnology plant cell platform CROP (Controlled Release of Optimized Plants).
Coverpla creates custom packaging for Malva 1979’s new fragrances
Fragrance bottles.
Coverpla has developed the primary packaging for Malva 1979’s new fragrances. The French packaging company also provided bottles and caps, along with the decor. Malva 1979 was launched last September by Italian perfumer and cosmetic expert Malva Moncalvo. “We chose Coverpla as our partner initially for its exclusively European footprint, from glass to pumps via caps, as well as for its personalization capacity. Malva 1979 was thus able to communicate its refinement and elegance thanks to high-quality screen-printing on the glass and caps,” says Malva Moncalvo. 
Expert talks intimate care category boom and how to keep up
woman throws head back in laughter
Beacon Wellness Brands is spotlighting expert authority in modern intimate wellness with the launch of a Wellness Collective. The North American personal care appliance, beauty, and sexual wellness platform, through its sexual wellness subsidiary, PlusOne, has created the 2026 PlusOne Wellness Collective. The panel of experts aim to advance education and normalize discourse around intimate wellness.
Health Canada loosens fragrance allergen labeling requirements
perfume box ingredient list
Health Canada has notified stakeholders that it has revised its approach to allergen disclosure in cosmetic fragrances. Although fragrance allergens must still be included in the Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF), in most cases, brands no longer need to disclose the individual fragrance allergen concentrations.In 2024, Canada amended its Cosmetic Regulations by adding additional requirements to better align with the European Union’s regulations. However, Health Canada has revised its standing.
Deforestation allegations prompt request for independent probe into Kao supply...
Kao's website.
Activist investor Oasis Management has requested that Kao Corporation appoint independent investigators to examine the company’s supply chain risk management and internal controls. The request, an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), follows allegations that the company sources palm oil and paper pulp from suppliers linked to deforestation and human rights issues. In 2022, Kao adopted a No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation (NDPE) policy for palm oil and pulp sourcing. The policy aims to ensure its supply chain does not contribute to deforestation, peatland development, or human rights abuses. 
Bioiberica reveals market opportunity in histamine intolerance to boost gut...
Woman with digestive issues in pharmacy

Nutrition Insight

While food intolerances like lactose and gluten are recognized as common digestive issues, Bioiberica sees a market gap for products to address histamine intolerance, a condition that “often goes undetected.” It is linked to a range of symptoms, including bloating, abdominal pain, headaches, hives, and dizziness. The Spanish ingredient supplier says histamine intolerance is an emerging concern, offering an opportunity for supplement brands to provide targeted, effective solutions. The condition stems from a deficiency of diamine oxidase (DAO), an enzyme that breaks down histamine in the gastrointestinal tract. 
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A woman putting dry shampoo in her hair.
Business News
Henkel acquires Not Your Mother’s to expand in world’s...
Henkel has agreed to buy DeMert Brands, the parent company of Not Your Mother’s (NYM), to boost its US hair care portfolio. NYM was launched in 2010 and is based in the US. It creates everyday hair solutions that aim to deliver high-performance, targeted benefits. The brand addresses hair needs, including curl definition, texture, and volume. 
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L Catterton builds Brazil’s largest beauty retail platform
LVMH-backed equity firm L Catterton has announced it is creating the “largest multibrand specialty beauty retail platform” in Brazil with over 130 stores nationwide. The deal brings together two long-standing Brazilian beauty retailers, Bel Cosméticos and Mundo do Cabeleireiro. Each chain offers curated assortments of beauty products at accessible prices and claims to have built a strong consumer base and a portfolio of regional brands.
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Business News
Estée Lauder acquires Forest Essentials as Indian beauty...
The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) has announced it will acquire the remaining stakes in Forest Essentials, an Indian beauty brand focused on Ayurvedic cosmetics. The acquisition will expand ELC’s current minority stake in the brand, giving it full ownership. The move reflects Estée Lauder’s strategy to strengthen its presence in India and expand the global reach of luxury Ayurvedic beauty products. According to ELC, Forest Essentials ranks as the top prestige skin care brand in India.

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The Future of FragranceMar2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that global fragrance launches are increasing, with an average annual growth rate of +51 % from 2021 to 2025. Consumers globally prefer light fragrances, and thei...

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Upcycled ingredient trends Mar 2026

According to Innova Market Insights, the upcycled ingredient trend is going strong in personal care launches, with an average annual growth rate of 110% in NPD from 2021 to 2025. Consumers also pay attention to upcycled ingredients, with 16% saying they especially search for upcycled claims when choosing their beauty products. In new product launches, upcycled ingredient use has moved from organic, natural brands to more mainstream and trendy brands.

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Sustainable personal care packaging solutionsMar 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that the use of sustainable packaging in personal care product launches grew 20% year-over-year from 2024 to 2025, reflecting a strong demand for more eco-friendly products, inside and out.

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IFF Colibri Thumbnail
Video08:19
IFF: Tapping robotics for faster fragrance development

Beauty companies are under growing pressure to shorten cosmetics development cycles. To keep pace, fragrance houses are investing in automation that can cut sampling and formulation timelines while also improving precision. International Flavors and Fragrances’ (IFF) installation of its Colibri...

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Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions: Clean home care and personal care converge
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Formulating texture in skincare: a data-driven approach to replacing synthetic thickeners
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IFF and Chemist Confessions: Bringing osmolytes to the forefront
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