Ectoin natural skincare ingredient banner by bitop, made in Germany, promoting the active with a “More information” link.
A woman sitting in the bath and touching her head.

Kensing debuts palm-free biosurfactants to satisfy sustainability demand

Kensing has released its first fully upcycled, low-carbon, and palm-free biosurfactants in North America. The debut caters to the growing pressure in the personal and home care industries to reduce environmental footprints without compromising affordability or consumer experience. Surfactants are central to the green transition proliferating throughout the industry. However, the chemicals and bio-based ingredients manufacturer says that conventional petrochemical-based and bio-based surfactants often fall short of ambitious environmental targets when assessed across their full life cycle. 
Black woman looking happy.
Formulating “feel-good beauty”: Unlocking the skin–brain axis for neurocosmetics
Consumer demand is moving toward beauty-from-within, holistic balance, and emotional optimization, pushing neurocosmetic innovation — where therapeutic results, sensory pleasure, and mental well-being are intertwined. Personal Care Insights speaks to Givaudan Active Beauty and Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions to take a closer look at this space, addressing clinical studies and the effectiveness of neurocosmetic ingredients as the category matures.
Hands braiding a young girls hair with blonde extensions.
Inside Consumer Reports’ braiding hair investigation: Researchers urge industry action on toxic exposure
For the second year in a row, Consumer Reports (CR) has detected heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in popular braiding hair products. Braiding hair is widely used by Black women and girls, and may be worn for months at a time. CR says that since the hair is worn continuously and sometimes styled with heat, exposure can be cumulative. 
Woman wearing blue traditional attire adorned with white and blue flowers in her hair, statement gold jewelry, and soft glam makeup, with floral-themed branding text beside her.
Harness the power of flowers for beauty
Using proprietary technologies like Zeta Fraction™, PSR™ technology and phytofermentology™, Ashland extracts potent actives from flower sources through eco-friendly processes, ensuring both efficacy and environmental responsibility. Driven by sustainability and technological advancement commitments, this allows development of biofunctionals that harness the power of advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, and plant-based innovation.

This Technical Paper is brought to you by Ashland.
Marion Viala, Lubrizol
In-cosmetics Global 2026: Lubrizol’s award-winning actives lineup 

At In-cosmetics Global 2026, Marion Viala, regional strategic marketing specialist at Lubrizol, told us about the company’s latest innovations. Lubrizol’s Eyeseryl All-In peptide is a solution targeting seven key soft tissues, while Arbalon RC-76 Cellulose Liquid offers a versatile rheology modifier compatible with hair care and skin cleansing applications. Lubrizol also celebrated an achievement at the show, winning an award for their Oilkemia 7S polymer — a biodegradable rheology modifier designed for oil-based formulations. Viala told us that these functional ingredients enable the creation of a wide range of textures, making up a powerful lineup for formulators.

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In-cosmetics Global 2026 review: Data-driven beauty and biotech reshape ingredient innovation
At In-cosmetics Global 2026 in Paris, France, the personal care industry leaned into biotech, multifunctionality, and data-driven development. Across the show floor, brands emphasized clinically backed actives, circular ingredients, and AI-powered formulation tools, alongside a growing focus on scalp health, emotional benefits, and long-term resilience. Major industry players highlighted solutions built around resilience, functionality, and real-world efficacy. We round up the event’s key innovators and what they showcased.

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EU restricts 12 cosmetics ingredients amid health concerns
lab products
The European Commission (EC) has restricted 12 cosmetic ingredients due to concerns related to potential endocrine disruption or genotoxicity.Regulation (EU) 2026/909 was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, with restrictions set to take effect on January 1, 2027. It amends Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 — the primary regulatory framework for cosmetic products in the EU market.
Earnings update: Symrise sees Fragrance growth, Ashland’s Personal Care remains...
Person applying fragrance.
Symrise and Ashland have reported financial results for Q1 2026 and Q2 fiscal 2026, respectively, showing similarities in their performance segments and strategic actions for the months ahead. The results cover the same calendar period, January to March 2026.
Coverpla supports Anna Zini’s fragrance launch with packaging solutions
French Cowboy scent.
For the launch of French Cowboy fragrances, consultancy Anna Zini Fragrances & Cosmetics called on French packaging solution provider Coverpla for global primary packaging development in the form of bottle, cap, pump, and bespoke color solutions. 
Henkel seals deal on Not Your Mother’s, enhancing US hair care strategy
A woman with curly hair tilting her head with her eyes closed.
Henkel has completed the acquisition of Not Your Mother’s (NYM), a hair care and styling brand in North America, boosting its US hair portfolio. The multinational conglomerate says it will leverage the combined organization to cultivate a collection of on-trend consumer brands. “Together, we will continue reimagining hair care to meet consumers’ evolving needs,” says Phil Schaffer, corporate SVP at Henkel Consumer Brands, North America. 
dsm-firmenich offloads Action Pin as strategic focus narrows to health and...
Several botanical and natural ingredients on a table with perfumes.
dsm-firmenich has sold its Action Pin business to AP Marensin, a consortium of investors created by FeBe Vermögensverwaltung, and backed by Econa and Ouest Croissance, a French private equity fund. Based in Castets, France, Action Pin reported approximately €50 million (US$58.5 million) in sales in 2025. It sits within the Agro Ingredients segment of dsm-firmenich’s Perfumery & Beauty business.
dsm-firmenich unveils science-backed longevity innovations at Vitafoods Europe...
Healthy seniors around a table

Nutrition Insight

As demand for healthy aging solutions continues to grow, dsm-firmenich will showcase new longevity solutions and science at next week’s Vitafoods Europe 2026 trade show in Barcelona, Spain. The company says it will present “landmark science” supporting healthy longevity, health expectancy solutions in premix and market-ready formats. Nutrition Insight meets with Anneleen Spooren, SVP Innovation, R&D & Regulatory, Health, Nutrition & Care, at dsm-firmenich, to explore the company’s longevity focus at Vitafoods Europe 2026. 
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Tech & Innovation
AI beauty boom sparks trust, privacy and false advertising...
Beauty brands are racing to roll out AI-powered advisors and marketing tools to personalize the consumer journey, but experts warn the same technology could blur the line between aspirational beauty and deception. As AI use becomes more entrenched in consumer-facing materials, brands are presented with fresh questions about privacy, trust, and false advertising. According to Ceren Canal Aruoba, managing director of consulting firm BRG, the beauty industry is already under scrutiny for exaggerated product claims and promoting unrealistic beauty standards.
photograph from in-cosmetics skin GPT
Personal Care Insights News
In-cosmetics Global 2026: Well-being demands fuel...
In a society increasingly defined by technology and fast-paced lifestyles, consumers are searching for moments to unwind and connect, and the beauty industry is offering a solution. At In-cosmetics Global 2026 last week, exhibitors tapped into neurocosmetics, which is shaping up to be the next buzzword in beauty. Luciana Mangerona, global marketing manager, Personal Care at Eurofragance, told Personal Care Insights on the show floor that cosmetics that promote mental well-being are taking off due to the ever-evolving digital world. 
Gelita Stand at in-socmetics
Personal Care Insights News
In-cosmetics Global 2026: Beauty-from-within taps wellness...
For the first time, the In-cosmetics Global trade show debuted an Inner Beauty Zone, revealing that beauty-from-within is gaining momentum as a segment in the personal care industry. Increasing consumer desire for improvements in overall health, alongside demand for visible results, is driving the growth of nutricosmetic concepts and diversity in their applications. Last week at In-cosmetics Global 2026 in Paris, France, provided a touch point for an industry overview of the beauty-from-within trend through various showcases. The show provided a variety of product innovations for supplements such as gummies, soluble sachets, or food applications for solutions that engage beauty results via overall health.

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Skin barrier breakthroughsApr2026

Innova Market Insights data shows that consumers increasingly look for barrier-repair benefits when choosing moisturizers. From 2021 to 2025, personal care launches with microbiome-related claims grew...

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Next-gen neurocosmetics Apr 2026

Innova Market Insights’ survey data indicates that 39% of global consumers are interested in clinical beauty. As demand for stress-relief and mood-enhancing beauty rises, neurocosmetics are emerging, blending wellness positioning with measurable skin performance.

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Botanical flower powerApr 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that in the past three years, there has been a 15% increase in growth for personal care launches with botanical/herbal claims. This aligns with consumers’ interest in products with botanical ingredients. Asia led these launches, while gotu kola extract launches show potential for innovation.

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Marion Viala, Lubrizol
Video03:07
In-cosmetics Global 2026: Lubrizol’s award-winning actives lineup 

At In-cosmetics Global 2026, Marion Viala, regional strategic marketing specialist at Lubrizol, told us about the company’s latest innovations. Lubrizol’s Eyeseryl All-In peptide is a solution targeting seven key soft tissues, while Arbalon RC-76 Cellulose Liquid offers a versatile rheology...

Yuan Gao, Lignopure
Video05:20
In-cosmetics Global 2026: Lignopure highlights circular lignin ingredient
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Video03:49
In-cosmetics Global 2026: Symrise presents upcycled exosome longevity ingredient
Louis Snyders, Sasol, Sasol International Chemicals, In-Cosmetics Global 2026, Parafol 10 RSPO-MB, Silicone-Free, Biobased Ingredients, Biodegradable Ingredients, Personal Care Ingredients, Care Chemi
Video03:11
In-cosmetics Global 2026: Sasol on replacing silicones with biobased innovation
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