Summer beauty supplements: Lubrizol talks microencapsulation, taste and absorption

Lubrizol is addressing the pressure summer puts on the skin from the inside out. Stronger UV, higher temperatures, and more time outdoors can accelerate collagen breakdown and dehydration. Meanwhile, travel and irregular schedules disrupt consumers’ beauty routines. 

These seasonal skin care strains lead consumers to search for solutions that cater to “on-the-go” lifestyles — in comes ingestible beauty. 

Innova Market Insights data indicates that beauty supplement launches are rising globally, with 21% growth from October 2019 to September 2024. Nearly half (46%) of those launches came from Europe.

Teresa Negra, technical business development manager, Nutra at Lubrizol, discusses delivery technology, regional routine differences, and why sensory experience is now a defining factor of beauty supplements, with Personal Care Insights. 

Ingestible beauty often faces two constraints: the active has to survive digestion, and the consumer has to want to take it every day. Negra says that microencapsulation solves both problems at once, protecting fragile actives while masking flavor off-notes, giving consumers beauty supplements in stick packs, gummies, shots, and drinks that suit an active summer.

What are the trending formats or delivery systems that are gaining traction for summer beauty solutions? 

Negra: With ingestible beauty, enhancing bioavailability and sensory appeal is essential for creating products that deliver the results consumers seek. Microencapsulation is recognized as a foundational delivery technology in modern formulations, overcoming common challenges such as poor absorption, instability, reactivity, off-tastes, and unwanted ingredient interaction in complex blends. 

For example, iron deficiency can undermine energy levels and overall appearance, but iron’s reactivity can lead to supplement stability issues, reduced bioavailability, poor sensory attributes, and gastrointestinal discomfort.Negra says microencapsulation protects fragile actives while masking off-notes in summer formats. 

Lubrizol’s Lipofer microcapsules use advanced microencapsulation technology to improve iron absorption, enhance taste and texture, and minimize side effects. This makes supplementation easier and more enjoyable in a wide range of popular formats, including gummies, dispersible powders, and functional beauty foods and beverages. 

How is Lubrizol evolving formulations to protect against environmental stressors specific to summer? 

Negra: Overexposure to strong UV light in the summer can cause skin aging by inducing high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). This damages collagen, the skin’s major building block that is responsible for maintaining its elasticity and strength. 

Curcumin is known for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help slow UV-mediated skin aging by reducing ROS and eliminating the effects of AGEs. Yet its potential is usually limited by low bioavailability. Lubrizol’s Curcushine microcapsules use a patented microencapsulation technology to transform curcumin into a water-dispersible and bioavailable form. In clinical trials, Curcushine microcapsules have demonstrated significant reductions in wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots while improving skin luminosity. Microencapsulation also counteracts the extract’s naturally distinctive flavor and aroma, making it ideal for trending, on-the-go summer beauty formats such as drinks, powders, and plant-based gummies. 

What are the notable regional differences in summer beauty routines or preferences that brands should consider when developing products for global markets? 

Negra: Regional differences are important, although some global trends are emerging. Across markets, consumers are increasingly embracing a holistic beauty-from-within approach, but their specific needs and product preferences often reflect local climates, lifestyles, and consumption habits. 

Despite these regional differences, UV protection and hydration are emerging as universal summer beauty concerns. As temperatures rise and consumers travel more frequently, demand is growing for nutricosmetic solutions that support both skin hydration and overall skin health. Travel and vacation habits also play a significant role during the summer season. Consumers are increasingly looking for convenient, on-the-go supplement formats that fit seamlessly into active lifestyles and are often perceived as more attractive and enjoyable than traditional tablets and capsules. Formats such as stick packs, gummies, ready-to-drink shots, and sachets offer greater portability, ease of use, and a more pleasant consumption experience. These delivery forms make it easier for consumers to maintain their supplementation routines while traveling, spending more time outdoors, and managing busy summer schedules. 

Another growing trend is beauty-focused hydration, with liquid supplements and functional beverages that combine hydration with ingredients that support skin health and antioxidant protection. Ingredients such as Curcushine further support this trend, as their dispersibility enables innovative liquid applications, including beauty drinks and hydration-focused formulations. For global brands, the opportunity lies in pairing clinically backed ingredients with convenient, portable formats that fit consumers’ active summer lifestyles. Negra sees stick packs, gummies, and shots driving on-the-go summer routines. 

What role do fragrance, sensorial experience, or “feel-good” attributes play in enhancing consumer engagement with summer beauty products? 

Negra: Food supplement format and sensory experience are key considerations for ingestible beauty products. While efficacy remains essential, taste, flavor, texture, and convenient delivery formats can significantly influence consumer acceptance and long-term compliance. 

Magnesium, for example, is an essential ingredient for supporting stress management, relaxation, and sleep quality — all factors that, if unaddressed, can contribute to skin aging. Yet creating a sensory-appealing product with conventional magnesium salts can present challenges, including low bioavailability, poor texture, and an unpleasant off-flavor. The result can be inconvenient and frequent dosing, uncomfortably large serving sizes, and unwanted gastrointestinal side effects. 

Lubrizol’s Magshape microcapsules encapsulate micronized magnesium oxide in a water-dispersible coating, enabling clinically validated higher bioavailability and reduced side effects compared to non-microencapsulated magnesium oxide and other common magnesium salts. In addition, the high magnesium concentration allows the recommended dietary intake to be met in one easy-to-consume, great-tasting daily dose. This makes Magshape suitable for a wide range of enjoyable formats, including capsules, soft gels, and orosoluble powders. 

How is the rise of clean, natural, or sustainable ingredients influencing summer product development? 

Negra: Clean labels featuring natural ingredients are increasingly important as consumers become more aware of the risks of over-processing. Curcushine microcapsules are a great example. Curcumin is the main bioactive in turmeric, one of the most revered plants in the ancient Indian Ayurvedic healing system, appealing to consumers seeking holistic beauty solutions that support radiance from within.