PCHi 2026 live: Dow showcases award-winning resin ingredient amid China portfolio expansion

Dow Chemical has launched its latest color cosmetic and hair care active ingredient at PCHi 2026 (Personal Care and Homecare Ingredients), and picked up an award for its resin gum ingredient during the China cosmetics exhibition.

The chemical cosmetics company has also deepened its Chinese footprint through a range of portfolio expansions, showcased during the trade show, which is taking place in Hangzhou (Mar 18-20).

Personal Care Insights speaks to Elaine Xu, China Personal Care marketing manager at Dow, on the show floor about the new launch, the award, and the China portfolio expansions.

Dow’s new product and award

This week’s launch brings the Dowsil 819 Oil Gellant to global markets. The 100% silicone polyamide copolymer is designed to thicken silicone and organic oil phases to form hard and soft gels. The ingredient comes as white to off-white flakes and can be used primarily in color cosmetics and hair care applications.

Xu tells us that the oil thickening ingredient “offers flexibility to formulators” that is “seldom found in the market.”

The company lists the benefits of Dowsil 8190 as rub off resistance, texture enhancement, thickening and rheology modification, frizz control, curl preservation, and reduced friction.

Dowsil FC-5012 ID, Dow’s resin ingredient, won an award yesterday at PCHi. The ingredient was launched last year at In-cosmetics Asia 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, and consists of a combination of MQ resin and silicone gum dispersed in isododecane.

The ingredient is said to sustain long wear with superior sebum and water repellency. It is also versatile in its potential formulation applications and applied as 70% active.

“Asian beauty consumers are redefining global trends. At Dow, we’re not just responding — we’re shaping the future with data-backed, high-performing and sustainable solutions tailored for Asia’s dynamic market,” says Jennifer Marques, global strategic marketing director of Dow's Personal Care business.

Dow expands in China

Dowsil 8190 offers versatility in color cosmetics and hair care.

Alongside its launch and award, Dow is also expanding its Chinese market offerings with various ingredients.

Acudyne 2000 Polymer is a hair styling ingredient said to provide long-lasting styling and hold. The ingredient can be used in aerosol and pump spray, mousse, gel, lotion, and cream formulations.

Dowsil CB-2251 Fluid is a hair conditioning agent procured through the dilution of a linear block copolymer of silicone/polyether with hydrogenated polyisobutene.

Touted as an efficient HASE (Hydrophobically-modified Alkali Soluble Emulsion) thickener, the Aculyn 98 rheology modifier is used for challenging surfactant systems, which are typically difficult to thicken.

The rheology modifier displays efficacious suspension capabilities in high viscosity formulations and performs well with amino acid surfactants or other sulfate-free shampoos. The ingredient can be used in various formulations like shampoo, body wash, shower gel, skin cleanser, face cleanser, and hair gels.

Similar to the award-winning Dowsil FC-5012 ID, both Dowsil MQ-1650 ID Resin and Dowsil MQ-1610 ID Resin are touted to support long-wear applications and provide good sebum and water repellency, as well as comfort of wear.

Both ingredients are supplied as a liquid, making them versatile and easy to formulate in actives, including sun care formulations.

Dowsil MQ-1650 ID is made up of a combination of MQ and T Propyl silicone resins dispersed in isododecane, whereas Dowsil MQ-1610 ID is an MQ silicone resin dispersed in isododecane.

Elsewhere at the show, Givaudan Active Beauty has debuted its latest skin care delivery system and hinted at what its next ingredient launch will be.

With additional reporting by Sabine Waldeck at PCHi 2026 in Hangzhou, China