This category highlights regulatory updates, safety standards, and market-driven trends shaping cosmetic innovation. From evolving ingredient regulations to global consumer expectations and sustainability requirements, it provides formulation teams with strategic insights for compliant, future-ready product development.
Pollution-Proof Formulation: PM2.5 Chelators & Polyphenols As urban environments become harsher and pollution levels continue rising, consumers increasingly search for skincare that protects their skin from particulate matter, oxidative stress,
The European Union’s microplastics restriction, introduced under Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055, is reshaping how cosmetic chemists develop exfoliants, encapsulates, and decorative products. The rule entered into force in October 2023
As sustainability becomes a leading demand across cosmetics, personal care, and consumer goods, regulators are tightening controls on how brands communicate environmental benefits. The upcoming Green Claims Regulation represents a
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) Standards play a central role in global fragrance safety. As formulations become more complex and consumers demand safer, more transparent products, IFRA 51 and the
Fluorine chemistry has long delivered elegant slip, durable films, and water resistance. However, regulatory pressure is accelerating. Therefore, cosmetic chemists must redesign formulas to meet emerging PFAS-free standards while preserving
As sustainability evolves from a marketing claim to a measurable performance standard, green solvents are becoming the backbone of next-generation cosmetic formulation. By 2026, the conversation around sustainability will shift
The European cosmetics sector is entering another major labeling milestone. By 2026, manufacturers must comply with the extended list of fragrance allergens defined under EU Regulation (EC) 2023/1545. This update
Beginning in 2026, cosmetic chemists will operate under far tighter restrictions on PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—across major markets. Because these materials are persistent and difficult to degrade, regulators are accelerating
Beginning in 2026, cosmetic formulators across Europe will enter a new regulatory era. The European Union’s restriction on intentionally added microplastics, first introduced under Regulation (EU) 2023/2055, is moving into
As we move into 2026, a major shift is underway in the U.S. cosmetics industry. The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) has entered its enforcement stage, and
The cosmetic industry is entering a new era — one where technology and biology merge to redefine performance, personalization, and skin health outcomes. In 2026, the biggest advancements won’t come
Polymers shape how products look, feel, and perform. Yet traditional synthetics can persist in ecosystems, which increases pressure on brands to reformulate. Consequently, chemists are turning to biodegradable polymers in