PCHi 2026 preview: Efficacy, biotechnology and sustainability shape the agenda

Personal Care and Homecare Ingredients (PCHi) will showcase clinically proven efficacy, multifunctional formulations, and sophisticated delivery technologies, all shaped by educated and demanding consumers.

The show organized by Reed Sinopharm Exhibitions (RSE) will take place from 18–20 March 2026 in Hangzhou, China. It is the country’s only large-scale professional exhibition dedicated to cosmetic ingredients and links global ingredient technologies with the Chinese and broader Asia-Pacific markets. 

Personal Care Insights speaks to Clariant, BASF, Givaudan and RSE about what ingredients and technologies are being positioned to deliver visible results, improve formulation efficiency, and support long-term growth in the Chinese beauty market and beyond. 

Peter Liu, director, Cosmetics Business Unit, RSE tells us that China is a core growth engine for the global beauty industry and a leader in the Asia-Pacific region. 

“According to the China Association of Fragrance, Flavour and Cosmetic Industries, the Chinese cosmetics market is projected to have reached ¥1.1 trillion in 2025. At the same time, China is Asia’s largest beauty production base, with more than 6,100 licensed manufacturers and over 20,000 cosmetic registrants and filers, reflecting strong vitality on both the supply and demand sides of the industry.”

PCHi will bring together over 850 companies from 26 countries and regions. The exhibitors span a full spectrum of sectors, including raw materials, laboratory and testing services, equipment, packaging materials, and AI technology applications. To date, over 20 enterprises are set to launch global or China-exclusive products at PCHi. 

“PCHi is Asia-Pacific’s premier beauty platform, providing direct access to China’s rapidly growing market and connecting us with brands and formulators seeking innovative, sustainable ingredients. Our presence demonstrates commitment to understanding local priorities like hair and scalp health, while showcasing biotechnology innovations that align with Chinese consumer demand for clinically proven, natural solutions,” says Julia Kang, China marketing manager at Lucas Meyer Cosmetics by Clariant.

Efficacy first

One of the most prominent themes expected at PCHi is the industry’s sharpened focus on fast, visible, and scientifically validated efficacy. Suppliers are responding to Chinese consumers who scrutinize ingredient lists and expect proof of performance.

“Chinese consumers increasingly demand rigorous clinical proof and visible results, driving our focus on scientifically validated ingredients,” says Kang. PCHi connects global innovation with local market demand. 

Carol Cao, senior marketing specialist at Clariant Personal & Home Care, adds: “We expect continued growth in science-driven beauty, with many brands launching products based on new dermatological research findings… These new scientific discoveries are driving innovation and advancement in the beauty industry.”

The emphasis on efficacy is echoed across the wider personal care landscape. Liu notes that performance-driven innovation has become central to product development, shaped by evolving consumer expectations and a deeper understanding of skin science.

“Recent product launch submissions to the PCHi Fountain Awards indicate that anti-aging and skin barrier repair continue to lead the way, directly addressing consumers’ core skin care needs. This trend is driven by consumers’ growing understanding of product performance, which prompts companies to enhance the activity, safety, and compatibility of their ingredients. Functional ingredient development is therefore entering a stage of greater precision and sophistication,” he explains.

At PCHi, this shift toward higher-performance formulations is reflected in a focus on biotechnology-derived actives, including marine-based ingredients designed to operate at a cellular level. Kang points to Clariant’s marine polysaccharide, Lysofix Liquid, developed through blue biotechnology that “delivers instant efficacy with visible results within one hour,” while also serving as a botanical, vegan alternative to animal-derived PDRN.

Cost efficiency is also a key consideration for Clariant. Lysofix Liquid is touted to deliver comparable or superior performance at roughly half the formulation cost of hyaluronic acid (HA), addressing premium positioning and commercial realities.

In hylauranic acid developments, Givaudan Active Beauty will present a new evolution of its Delivery Systems platform, based on an advanced micro-encapsulation system made of HA. The system is designed to improve the performance, stability, and controlled release of cosmetic active ingredients, while offering great formulation flexibility.  

“By combining precision encapsulation with an HA-based biopolymer structure, it enables effective delivery into the skin without compromising sensoriality or visual aesthetics, even in transparent formulations. Moreover, thanks to its intrinsic composition, we have demonstrated that this system offers inherent benefits, enabling multifunctionality within formulations,” Karine Lages, category manager, Delivery Systems at Givaudan Active Beauty, tells Personal Care Insights. 

“This innovation, building upon our leadership in the field of hyaluronic acid, reflects Givaudan Active Beauty’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of Delivery Systems science and supporting brands with versatile, high-performance formulation solutions.” 

For BASF, efficacy is also non-negotiable. The company notes that China’s beauty market is shifting toward “high-quality, value-driven growth,” with consumers expecting documented benefits. 

“Efficacy and scientific credibility remain at the forefront, as consumers increasingly expect visible results and proven benefits from their products,” says a BASF spokesperson. 

BASF is highlighting peptide-rich and biotechnology-derived actives supported by clinical studies, alongside delivery systems designed to enhance penetration and overall performance. China is setting the pace for Asia-Pacific beauty trends. 

Delivery making ingredients work harder

Beyond actives, how ingredients are delivered is emerging as a defining differentiator at PCHi. Encapsulation, micellar systems, and film-forming technologies are increasingly used to improve bioavailability and extend performance.

Clariant is presenting new data around multifunctional emulsifier systems that not only stabilize high oil phases but also “enhance the bioavailability of other actives, amplifying overall formula performance,” according to Kang. This ability to make entire formulas work harder resonates with formulators under pressure to streamline ingredient lists without sacrificing results.

BASF, meanwhile, is showcasing its Niosome technology — an advanced non-ionic delivery system formed through self-assembly — which encapsulates actives to support deeper penetration and an improved skin barrier. 

“Niosomes improves hydration, supports skin barrier function, and [help with] the effectiveness of actives in cosmetic formulations,” says the BASF spokesperson.

Another defining feature of this year’s PCHi is the push toward multifunctional ingredients that simplify formulations while elevating performance and sensorial appeal.

“Lysofix Liquid exemplifies the multifunctionality mega-trend by serving triple duty as emulsifier, skin active, and hair strengthening ingredient,” Kang explains. Such ingredients allow brands to reduce complexity while delivering anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and hair-strengthening benefits — an approach that can support innovation speed and cost control.

Sensoriality is tightly woven into this trend. From silky, non-tacky textures to rich, cushiony skin feel, suppliers are emphasizing ingredients that create differentiated experiences. 

Cao adds that Chinese consumers are actively seeking “more innovative product experiences,” prompting Clariant to highlight rheology modifiers and emulsifiers that enable a wide range of textures, from lightweight to indulgent.

Gentle, high-performance cleansing 

Cleansing is projected to be a cornerstone category at PCHi with an emphasis on mildness without compromise. Amino acid-based, low-salt, and gentle surfactant systems are being positioned to meet growing demand for sensitive-skin, baby care, and family-oriented products.

BASF highlights its amino acid surfactant, Plantapon Amino ASP, designed to offer “gentle yet effective cleansing” with high purity and strong foaming, suitable for sensitive skin. 

The ingredients company will also present Mimikin Garde, its ethylene oxide-free Mimiskin, which acts as a “second skin” by forming a breathable, invisible film that locks in moisture for 24 hours and shields skin from pollution and dust. 

“Biodegradable, vegan, and ideal for sensitive skin, this ingredient provides advanced protection and hydration for daily urban life,” says the BASF spokesperson.

At the same time, Clariant is showcasing mild and low-salt surfactants that respond to consumer preferences for gentler cleansing and environmentally conscious formulations. Advanced delivery systems boost ingredient effectiveness. 

Cao says that consumer demand remains strong for products that balance comfort and performance: “We are showcasing various formulations for facial, body, and hair cleansing products that deliver both gentleness and efficacy.” 

Liu also observes that cross-disciplinary innovation is unlocking new growth opportunities for the industry. “We have seen that a range of frontier fields — including synthetic biology, neurocosmetics, skin mechanism research, aesthetic medicine crossover applications, carrier and formulation innovation, organoids, cell science, testing science, and network pharmacology — are increasingly intersecting with cosmetic ingredient R&D.”

Sustainability as standard

Sustainability has evolved from an industry initiative into an essential requirement, leading companies to increasingly embed sustainable practices across the value chain — from plant-based ingredients to energy-efficient production to fully recyclable packaging. 

Reflecting this trend, PCHi 2026 will feature a dedicated Sustainability Zone, including the Sustainability in Beauty Forum, where experts will discuss green formulation and sustainable packaging strategies. Showcase areas for sustainable ingredients, products, and packaging will highlight industry best practices, reinforcing sustainability as a core driver of growth.

Both Clariant and BASF point to biodegradable, vegan, and renewable-source materials, alongside cleaner production processes, as part of a longer-term shift influenced by regulations and carbon goals.

BASF observes that sustainability is “gradually moving to the forefront under the guidance of Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality plans,” while regulatory developments are reinforcing the importance of documented safety and efficacy. This regulatory environment is accelerating China’s transition toward quality-led innovation rather than volume-driven launches.

China’s national goals for carbon neutrality and emissions reduction align with the global beauty industry’s shift toward greener practices, creating a synergy between policy and market demand. 

Chinese beauty market

The innovations to be presented at PCHi can demonstrate where China’s beauty market is heading — and how those trends may ripple across Asia-Pacific.

“At PCHi 2026, Givaudan Active Beauty is spotlighting its next-generation precision brightening solutions, tailored to the evolving needs of Chinese consumers. Going beyond traditional melanin-centric approaches, our strategy leverages multi-omics science — including microbiome, transcriptomics, and epigenetics — to decode the complex biological pathways behind skin tone regulation,” says Jesse Wang, regional marketing manager APAC at Givaudan Active Beauty.

The country’s policy supports accelerated growth in the personal care industry, including faster approvals of new ingredients, expedited establishment of standards, and funding for dedicated scientific research. Science-led efficacy is shaping new beauty formulations. 

“These factors will drive high-quality expansion and continued global integration of China’s beauty and ingredients market. We are confident that with the ongoing improvements in independent innovation capabilities, China’s cosmetic ingredient market will continue to strengthen its influence and authority within the global beauty supply chain,” says Liu.

“China serves as a trendsetter for Asia-Pacific,” adds Kang, emphasizing that strong engagement at PCHi helps establish leadership beyond the domestic market. 

BASF similarly positions the event as a strategic hub for connecting global innovation with local market needs, particularly as Chinese brands expand regionally and globally.

China has the world’s second-largest economy and largest cosmetics consumer market. Liu says that China’s beauty industry has substantial growth potential. 

“China’s economy is projected to grow around 5% in 2025, with total GDP expected to reach 140 trillion yuan. Authoritative forecasts also indicate a 4.5% GDP growth rate in 2026, which will provide a solid economic foundation for the sector,” concludes Liu.