PCHi 2026 live: Clariant’s Lucas Meyer Cosmetics unveils vegan PDRN alternative for skin care
Key takeaways
- Clariant and Lucas Meyer Cosmetics introduced a new beauty active, AlgaSurge, a vegan PDRN alternative for skin hydration and radiance.
- The company showe cased Plantasens Emulsifier HP 49 which enhances formulation stability, moisturizing lipids, and skin barrier protection.
- Also showcased, Aristoflex SUN improves sun care formulations, boosting SPF protection by 75% and enhancing sensory experiences.
Clariant and Lucas Meyer Cosmetics have unveiled a vegan polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN) skin longevity ingredient at the PCHi (Personal Care and Homecare Ingredients) 2026 tradeshow and are showcasing their latest innovations. The expansions to the company’s portfolio include an emulsifier, a rheology modifier for UV solutions, and the PDRN ingredient launched at the show.
Personal Care Insights speaks with Julia Kang, China marketing manager at Lucas Meyer Cosmetics by Clariant, about the PDRN ingredient AlgaSurge live at the PCHi show in Hangzhou, China.
AlgaSurge — a microalgae-derived highly-purified sulfated polysaccharide (SP) hydrogel — is touted as an alternative to hyaluronic acid (HA) in the skin renewal and moisture retention segments.
“For all our clinical studies, we have outperformed the HA group,” says Kang. She continues that the ingredient demonstrates visible benefits after one use and can be used to “help to boost skin radiance, skin hydration, skin barrier, and reduce wrinkles.”
The company reports that AlgaSurge distinctly outperformed HA in a test conducted on 90 volunteers in which 1% HA, 1% AlgaSurge, and a placebo were compared.
The study indicated up to a 34% improvement in skin radiance and dewiness, a 67% reduction in wrinkle count, and as high as a 57% improvement in plumpness over 28 days.
The company refers to AlgaSurge as a highly stable vegan PDRN alternative, addressing its traditional counterpart’s cost and sustainability concerns.
Clariant’s portfolio expansions
Clariant is showcasing recent innovations at the PCHi 2026 tradeshow
An innovation showcased at the PCHi show is the Plantasens Emulsifier HP 49, an oil-in-water emulsifier made up of four stearic acid-derived ingredients. The emulsifier functions by forming liquid crystal structures and allowing for “superior formulation stability while emulsifying up to 30% oil phase.”
The stearic acid base of the emulsifier enables the protection of the skin barrier and provides moisturizing lipids for the skin surface while elevating hydration and elasticity. The ingredient is also said to meet the growing market demands for luxurious sensoriality through its rapid emulsion breakdown.
Clariant is also presenting a rheology modifier designed to align sun care formulations with “skin care-level excellence” by elevating sensory experience while delivering improved UV protection.
The company reports that formulations containing 0.5% Aristoflex SUN provided a 75% SPF enhancement, increasing protection from SPF 30 to 52.5.
“Both Plantasens Emulsifier HP 49 and Aristoflex SUN demonstrate how we’re elevating everyday skin care by combining proven efficacy with sensory excellence,” says Sophia Kim, global marketing manager of Skin Care at Clariant.
“Whether it’s reinforcing the skin barrier function with immediate moisturization or transforming sun protection into a luxurious experience, we’re empowering brands to develop products that offer tangible benefits consumers can see and feel.”
With additional reporting by Sabine Waldeck at PCHi 2026 in Hangzhou, China
