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September in review with an image of BASF and a woman's back.

September in review: BASF eyes Evonik, EU Green Transition Directive, GLP-1 and beauty

In September, BASF confirmed takeover talks with Evonik, a deal that could consolidate two of Europe’s largest beauty suppliers. In Europe, the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive came into effect. We spoke to Natrue, the non-profit that sets standards for authentic natural and organic cosmetics, about how it could push beauty brands to substantiate their sustainability messaging. 
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“Skinimalism” and clean beauty fuel multifunctional formulation
The market for beauty products that serve multiple purposes without compromising efficacy continues to grow as budgets tighten and consumers’ ingredient list demands become more specified. The personal care industry’s technical abilities are becoming more sophisticated to meet the call. Technological sophistication is creating enhanced abilities for the industry to advance multifunctional formulations, supporting minimalism and clean beauty alongside product performance. 
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BASF explores sustainable natural extraction and skin regeneration
BASF researchers are presenting findings and innovations on sustainable extraction and skin regeneration at the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) Congress 2026, currently taking place (September 28–October 1) in Perth, Australia. The studies highlighted by the global specialty chemicals company underscore three innovations for sustainable skin care: natural extraction technologies, collagen restoration, and balancing skin barrier support with sustainability. 
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Sustainable beauty solutions
Innova Market Insights data indicates that new personal care launches with sustainable claims grew at a +31% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. While cruelty-free remains a key consumer marker of sustainable beauty, innovation is expanding into areas such as sustainable oils, 2-in-1 formats, recycled materials, and reef- and ocean-friendly solutions.
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Who masters the art of multifunctionality? We do.
Multifunctional ingredients are transforming personal care preservation by combining microbial protection with formulation efficiency, natural-origin positioning, skin benefits, sensory enhancement and easier processing. Ashland’s recent launches illustrate how preservative strategies can deliver added value, helping formulators create safer, more transparent, consumer-relevant products with stronger performance and clearer ingredient purpose.

This Technical Paper is brought to you by Ashland.
Woman wearing glasses and a white shirt beside LENOSE scented hand soaps displayed on green tiles with bubbles.
LeNose targets Gen Z home luxury with perfumer-crafted hand soaps

LeNose CEO Caroline Valentini discusses the launch of Soap de Parfum, a five-product hand-wash range combining luxury fragrance with vegan, cruelty-free, and “endocrine-conscious” formulations. She tells us about the brand’s Gen Z and Millennial focus, accessible pricing, and why this launch was an important first step into personal care for the company.

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Abolis turns microbial data into faster beauty R&D with MINE
Scientist behind a computer
Abolis Biotechnologies has launched Microbial Intelligence Explorer (MINE), a platform that helps cosmetics players understand, interpret, and act on complex biological data for easier decision-making in the cosmetics pipeline. The launch comes as the beauty industry increasingly leans on tech-driven innovation. Consumers are demanding more sustainable and high-performance cosmetic ingredients, and many brands are responding by investing in biotech for greener alternatives.
EADV 2026: Kenvue data targets skin barrier health and hair regrowth
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Neutrogena, Aveeno, and Regaine have revealed skin and hair care efficacy findings for hero ingredients such as niacinamide, trehalose, colloidal oat, and 5% minoxidil.The Kenvue subsidiaries are presenting findings on the efficacy of the formulations at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Vienna, Austria, (September 30–October 3).
Esse debuts Afyren petrochemical-free propionic acid in microbiome skin cream
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Microbiome cosmetics brand Esse Skincare has launched the “world’s first” product formulated with 100% natural propionic acid, through its partnership with French biotech company Afyren. Afyren produces the key ingredient in the Esse Barrier Rescue moisturizer through natural fermentation at its Afyren Neoxy plant in Carling Saint-Avold, France. The ingredient is fully bio-based and COSMOS-certified.
Tresalis acquires well-being fragrance brand Vyrao in debut beauty acquisition
fragrance bottles
Tresalis has acquired well-being fragrance house Vyrao. The new owner-operator platform focuses on acquiring and growing science- and efficacy-led consumer health, beauty, and wellness brands. Vyrao is Tresalis’s debut acquisition as it aims to buy and develop differentiated brands, “combining long-term capital with hands-on operating capabilities across brand growth, commercialization, international expansion and shared infrastructure.” The transaction positions Vyrao under Tresalis’s majority ownership and operating partnership.
China to lower tariffs on US cosmetics as trade truce extends
Chess pieces in front of the US and China flags.
China and the US have said they will cut tariffs on US$60 billion worth ‌of goods imported from each other. The announcement encompasses US cosmetics and Chinese hair-removal appliances, among others. Both countries have recommended a more favorable tariff treatment for “non-sensitive” products, which include personal care items. The reciprocal tariff reduction move came alongside an extension of a US–China trade truce. These positions were settled at the summit between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump in Washington DC, US, last week. 
September in review: 2027 nutrition trends, omega-3 supply shock & Nestlé VMS...
September in review - Nutrition Insight

Nutrition Insight

Longevity support, microbiome science, metabolic health innovations, and sourcing challenges shaped the supplement sector last month. In our September review, Nutrition Insight explores some of the month’s biggest stories, including Innova Market Insights’ preview of the top nutrition trends expected to shape the industry in 2027. Challenges in omega-3 supplies and EU regulations on botanicals are pushing decision-making earlier in the product development process, while California’s governor signed a health bill package, which bans sales of weight-loss supplements to minors. 
Highlighted features
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Research & Development
K-beauty glass-skin trend exposes safety gaps in viral skin...
Almost all viral TikTok videos about the “glass skin” trend that K-beauty popularized contain misleading claims, according to a new study. The researchers found that 95% of these videos included at least one potentially misleading claim, and basic safety information was also largely missing. The findings arrive as skin care and beauty content take up a growing share of the internet, with more amateur creators rolling out advice. Consumers are increasingly turning to social media for skin care education, but experts warn of the soundness of the guidance.
Multicolor flags of BASF.
Business News
BASF confirms Evonik takeover talks as initial offer...
BASF has confirmed talks over a potential takeover of its specialty chemicals competitor Evonik. The move could reshape Europe’s cosmetic ingredients supply base, consolidating two of the region’s largest suppliers of skin care actives, emollients, and surfactants.However, Evonik has reportedly already turned down BASF’s first proposal as too low. The German chemical giant offered about €22.15 (US$25.16) per share, valuing Evonik’s equity at roughly €10.3 billion (US$11.7 billion). The Financial Times (FT) called the nearly 29% premium to Evonik’s share price “sizeable.”
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Business News
Armani prepares stake-sale talks with L’Oréal, LVMH and...
Armani CEO Giuseppe Marsocci ‌has stated that the Italian luxury group is open to involving multiple investors in the sale of the 15% stake highlighted in founder Giorgio Armani’s will. The company is now reportedly preparing to begin formal discussions with beauty giants LVMH, L’Oréal, and EssilorLuxottica over the sale of the minority stake.In his will, Giorgio Armani identified the three companies as preferred shareholders following his death in September 2025, while remaining open to the possibility for other investors of comparable industry positioning to make offers.

Personal care focus

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Plant-powered beautyOct2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that consumers are seeking more natural ingredients in their skin care. As a result, personal care launches with plant-based ingredients are gaining ground with 9...

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Product innovation

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Circular beauty advances Oct 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates a +56% CAGR in personal care launches with circular claims from July 2021 to June 2026. Innovation is increasingly focused on reducing environmental impact through recycled, recyclable, and refillable packaging, as well as the use of upcycled and renewable ingredients. These approaches highlight how circularity is becoming an increasingly visible part of product development across skin care, hair care, and body care.

Trend analysis

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Sustainable beauty solutionsOct 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that new personal care launches with sustainable claims grew at a +31% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. While cruelty-free remains a key consumer marker of sustainable beauty, innovation is expanding into areas such as sustainable oils, 2-in-1 formats, recycled materials, and reef- and ocean-friendly solutions.

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Woman wearing glasses and a white shirt beside LENOSE scented hand soaps displayed on green tiles with bubbles.
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LeNose targets Gen Z home luxury with perfumer-crafted hand soaps

LeNose CEO Caroline Valentini discusses the launch of Soap de Parfum, a five-product hand-wash range combining luxury fragrance with vegan, cruelty-free, and “endocrine-conscious” formulations. She tells us about the brand’s Gen Z and Millennial focus, accessible pricing, and why this launch was...

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Body care meets faceification. High-performance, head to toe
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