In-cosmetics Global 2026: Ashland to debut “glocalized” innovations and bio-based ingredients

Ashland is set to reveal platform innovations and novel ingredients at In-cosmetics Global 2026 in Paris, France, this week (April 14-16). The additives and specialty ingredients company’s “glocalized” launches focus on solutions tailored for region-specific culture, country, and regulatory needs.

The launches include two technology platform expansions with applications in hair care and viscosity control, and four ingredient innovations.

“Ashland high-performance innovations derived from our New Technology Platforms will help our customers elevate their end-products and create one-of-a-kind targeted, market-ready solutions,” says Galder Cristobal, senior director of Personal Care Innovation at Ashland.

Hair and viscosity

Part of the Ashland Super Wetters Technology Platform, the easy-hance wetting agent is a biologically-sourced superwetting agent for textured hair. It aids in detangling, alignment, and general efficacy in rinse-off and leave-on products by facilitating faster and more efficient wetting.

A key sustainability benefit of the ingredient is reduced water usage and shortened wash routines without sacrificing strand hydration, curl definition, and tameability. Ashland states that the ingredient reduces formulator reliance on heavy oils and silicones.

The company will also launch its first commercial innovation from the Ashland Multi-functional Starch Platform, Stabileze S polymer. The starch-based, versatile polymer is said to embolden stability in formulations and an appealing sensorial experience through its viscosity control, emulsion stabilization, and formulation suspension benefits at low use levels.

Ingredient innovations

Effisin EM Natural Multifunctional is a fully biologically sourced, water-soluble antimicrobial booster aligned with use in various segment formulations. It supplies broad pH compatibility and low use levels, enabling formulators to streamline preservation systems while maintaining formulation simplicity and low costs.

The next ingredient featured at In-cosmetics Global 2026 is Eternight. It enhances nighttime mitobiology and is built on the three R longevity approach — rest, restore, and reverse. It is formulated with an AI-guided iris pallida root extract.

Ashland states that clinical testing on the ingredient has demonstrated visible improvements to eight signs of aging, leaving skin appearing more radiant and youthful. After one month, AI facial scan assessments indicated that skin appeared up to four years younger.

From Ashland’s Responsible Solvers program, N-hance CCG75 cationic guar is a biodegradable, nature-derived polymer made for clear, surfactant-based formulations with medium-to-high conditioning performance properties.

The ingredient is touted to maintain optical clarity while providing effective wet and dry conditioning and avoiding heavy buildup. This enables its use in lightweight hair care solutions and cleansers across sulfated and non-sulfated systems.

“Through this program, Ashland is increasing the volume of guar harvested annually through educational programs and scientific solutions for sustainable farming while respecting the sourcing relationships and local cultures of small village farmers in Rajasthan, India,” says the company.

So far, the Responsible Solvers program has helped farmers lower production costs while improving their crop yield by up to 20%, bolstering the farmers’ income and strengthening small local economies.

Finally, added to the Phyteq portfolio, the Phyteq Raspberry Plus Multifunctional is an antioxidant liquid-blend that is said to be as efficacious as its predecessor, Phyteq Raspberry. However, this iteration possesses wider antimicrobial performance and carries more diverse formulation applications.