FEATURE ARTICLES

Òscar Expósito is the co-founder, chief executive and chief scientific officer of Spanish plant-based cosmetic active ingredient maker Vytrus Biotech. Here, in conversation with editor Tim Probert, Òscar shares his vision for the Barcelona company and the cosmetic active ingredients of the future

The cosmetics industry is undergoing a significant shift towards a more demanding beauty, driven by the increasing demand for high-performance, science-backed ingredients. Among the most promising advances are extracellular vesicles, and in particular exosomes, which have emerged as powerful mediators of intercellular communication

Ichimaru Pharcos introduces cashmere-derived hydrolysed keratin developed for repairing cuticle cell membrane complex in response to the increasing need for measures against daily damage as well as its repair action

As both a humectant and antimicrobial component, the multifunctional ingredient pentylene glycol plays a key role in the development of safe, stable, and effective cosmetic products while also contributing to a product’s sensory profile, as Cosphatec explains

Fasting has been shown to modulate key pathways associated with cellular maintenance and lifespan extension. Vytrus Biotech introduces a fasting-mimicking approach as an innovative cosmetic strategy to support skin health, resilience, and longevity

Evolved By Nature explores the science, functionality, and formulation potential of its proprietary technology that re-engineers upcycled silk fibroin into custom peptides, and why these novel ingredients represent a new standard for high-performance hair care

Biocogent describes a dual botanical extract that ameliorates the negative impacts of at least four distinct hallmarks of ageing: chronic inflammation, (inflammaging), altered intercellular communication, epigenetic alterations, and diminished proteostasis. These benefits appear to be promulgated by the material’s activity focusing on the dermal-epidermal junction

Croda presents a novel biomimetic keratin peptide developed through advanced biotechnology that introduces a supplier-led innovation to the biomimetic bond building space. The active is engineered to specifically address molecular-level damage by facilitating the recharge of hair’s intrinsic keratin, thereby enhancing hair strength

Advancements in biotechnology have enabled the production of cell-identical peptides from cultivated cells, offering a more ethical, sustainable and traceable alternative. Avant Proteins describes a pioneering bioplatform that produces a novel cell-identical multi-peptide complex derived from cultivated cells

Are exosomes and EVs truly the future of cosmetic science, or are they just beauty buzzwords? Spencer Marsh of Gourdie Lab at Virginia Tech’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute examines the science behind exosomes and EVs and evaluates whether they live up to the hype

There are challenges surrounding the selection of appropriate upcycled ingredients to ensure safety and efficacy. Inabata France et al outline the essential steps for selecting, sourcing, developing, and producing a new series of upcycled active ingredients, using a group of five extracts as a case study

The California Chapter of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (CASCC) has long stood as a source of innovation, community, and collaboration. Yet today, as we prepare to welcome thousands to Long Beach for our 2025 Suppliers’ Day, we stand at a turning point. This year marks a changing of the guard.

Jim Minicucci is the senior vice president and general manager of Ashland’s personal care division. In conversation with editor Tim Probert, Jim discusses the US firm’s global strategy and wider personal care industry trends

Moringa oleifera, commonly known as the ‘Miracle Tree’, is known for its anti-inflammatory action and celebrated for the cosmetic benefits of its seed oil.

Rousselot explores the fairytale potential of collagen as the next-generation ingredient for the hair care segment, including how it empowers manufacturers to differentiate their beauty from within products and helps consumers live ‘happily ever-after’ with their hair

The cosmetic industry, a sector that influences nearly every aspect of our daily lives, is grappling with an existential crisis. On the surface, it presents an image of innovation, progress, and beauty as a universal truth. However, beneath this glossy veneer, a more unsettling reality persists: the industry is out of sync - with itself, its consumers, and its own promises.

As Personal Care magazine celebrates 25 years of connecting and inspiring the personal care industry, Koster Keunen reflects on a quarter-century of partnership, innovation, and progress.

As early and enthusiastic adopters of data science, AI and other technology, Lubrizol has furthered innovation in countless ways in the last quarter of a century. While product innovations and customer demand are vastly different now compared to 2000, Lubrizol demonstrates how its emphasis on R&D and innovation has not changed.

Barbara Olioso, also known as The Green Chemist, tells the history of the remarkable green evolution of the beauty industry - from simple ‘natural’ claims to today’s complex sustainability matrix - and offers insights into where we might be heading next.

Innospec tells the story of its Iselux surfactant launched 16 years ago that, through innovation, has evolved and changed over that time with new variants and new data, influenced by the changes in the cosmetic market and demands of its customers.