Featuring: Ellie Head (in-cosmetics Global), Jennifer O’Hara (Inolex), Hishda Mohamed (Croda Beauty Active), Julia Wray (Freelance Beauty Journalist), Mallory Huron (Future Snoops) and Amarjit Sahota (Ecovia Intelligence)
Summary
From biotechnology and precision fermentation to silicone-free hair care and next-generation peptide delivery systems, in-cosmetics Global 2026 highlighted how ingredient innovation is evolving beyond performance alone. Across the show floor, industry experts pointed to a future shaped by sustainability, multifunctionality, sensory experience and environmentally conscious formulation.
Innovation Takes Centre Stage at in-cosmetics Global 2026
According to Ellie Head, Product Marketing Manager at in-cosmetics Global, this year’s exhibition featured 233 ingredient launches within the show’s Innovation Zone.
Working alongside a global judging panel, experts reviewed technical dossiers, efficacy claims and scientific data to identify the year’s standout technologies.
The Gold Award for Active Ingredients was awarded to Rahn, while the Functional Ingredient Gold Award went to PolymerExpert by Solabia Group.
Pull quote: “These ingredients stood out to all of our judges as being best in class.” — Ellie Head
Head explained that innovation remains central to the exhibition’s role within the cosmetics industry, helping suppliers and brands stay ahead of future formulation trends
Inolex Pushes Silicone-Free Hair Care Forward
Jennifer O’Hara, Director of Technical Marketing and Commercialization at Inolex, highlighted the company’s work around LexFeel® Shine, a silicone alternative designed for anti-frizz hair care formulations.
The technology aims to deliver the same smoothness and sensory performance associated with silicones — but without relying on them.
According to O’Hara, salon testing demonstrated that products formulated with LexFeel® Shine delivered:
- Reduced frizz
- Lightweight feel
- Improved bounce
- Shine and softness
without the heaviness often associated with traditional silicone systems.
Pull quote: “Can we still get the same performance, but without silicones?” — Jennifer O’Hara
The launch reflects wider industry demand for high-performing, more sustainable ingredient alternatives.
Croda Beauty Active Launches Matrixyl® Neolide™
Hishda Mohamed, Senior Marketing Lead at Croda Beauty Active, discussed the launch of Matrixyl® Neolide™, one of the company’s major ingredient introductions for 2026.
The peptide technology is designed to improve delivery into the skin through enhanced encapsulation, enabling:
- Faster peptide release
- Improved clinical performance
- Faster visible consumer results
According to Mohamed, consumers reported visible improvements after just 15 days of use.
Croda also highlighted the sustainability benefits of the technology, stating that Matrixyl® Neolide™ reduces carbon footprint by 43% compared with the original Matrixyl ingredient.Pull quote:“Consumers were able to perceive the result just after 15 days.” — Hishda Mohamed
VectorHyal™ Reflects the Rise of Multifunctional Ingredients
Freelance beauty journalist Julia Wray identified VectorHyal™ from Givaudan Active Beauty as one of the most interesting technologies showcased at the exhibition.
The innovation combines:
- Hyaluronic acid-based encapsulation
- Functional ingredient properties
- Active delivery capabilities
Wray noted that the system can be customised to work with either Givaudan’s own actives or ingredients selected by finished product manufacturers.
For her, the technology reflects one of the industry’s biggest shifts: the growing overlap between functional and active ingredients.Pull quote:“There is this blurring of functional and active ingredients.” — Julia Wray
SPF Boosters Continue to Evolve Beyond Protection
Mallory Huron, Director of Beauty & Wellness at Future Snoops, highlighted SPF boosters as one of the standout innovation categories at the show.
Today’s SPF-enhancing technologies increasingly combine:
- UV protection support
- Anti-ageing claims
- Glow-enhancing effects
- Additional skincare functionality
According to Huron, these developments continue to drive the evolution of “skinified” suncare products.Pull quote:“We’re already in the era of skinified suncare.” — Mallory Huron
Biotechnology and Precision Fermentation Gain Momentum
For Amarjit Sahota, Founder and President of Ecovia Intelligence, the most exciting developments at in-cosmetics Global 2026 centred around biotechnology and precision fermentation.
He pointed to growing innovation around ingredients traditionally linked to environmental or ethical concerns, including:
- Palm oil
- Coconut oil
- Collagen
- Squalane
These materials are increasingly being produced through biotechnology rather than conventional agricultural or animal-derived sourcing methods.
Sahota explained that these technologies could help reduce:
- Deforestation
- Dependence on global supply chains
- Reliance on animal-derived ingredients
while also supporting more localised and resilient ingredient production.Pull quote:“You’re no longer going to rely on weather for harvest.” — Amarjit Sahota
The emergence of vegan collagen and fermentation-derived alternatives was a recurring theme across the exhibition floor.
A Renewed Sense of Industry Momentum
Several participants described a strong sense of energy returning to the cosmetics ingredients sector.
From expanded exhibition floors to sensory experiences and nutracosmetics activations, the event reflected an industry increasingly focused on:
- Longevity-focused beauty
- Sustainable innovation
- High-performance ingredients
- Consumer trust and transparency
Participants also noted that in-cosmetics Global remains a key destination for identifying early signals that may later shape finished beauty products on retail shelves.Pull quote:“It’s the place where you go for the first signals of what’s going to happen within products on store shelves.” — Mallory Huron
Key Takeaways from in-cosmetics Global 2026
- Biotechnology and precision fermentation are reshaping ingredient sourcing.
- Silicone alternatives such as LexFeel® Shine are advancing high-performance hair care.
- Encapsulation technologies are enabling faster and more targeted ingredient delivery.
- Functional ingredients increasingly offer skincare and haircare activity alongside formulation benefits.
- Sustainability, efficacy and sensory performance are now expected simultaneously.
- SPF boosters and “skinified” suncare remain major innovation areas.
