Linked FLAVEX banner promoting natural plant CO2 extracts for cosmetics, featuring pomegranate, flowers, and in-cosmetics 2026 booth info.
PCHi banner in a hall.

PCHi 2026: Beauty innovation steered by sensory experience and proven efficacy

Chinese beauty consumers often respond to the visual and sensory appeal of beauty products, but these factors alone do not contribute to purchasing decisions — solutions must be backed by science. Last week, at PCHi 2026 (Personal Care and Homecare Ingredients) in Hangzhou, China, exhibitors released an array of evidence-based ingredients and presented innovative textures. The common thread between each showcase was the importance of a pleasant sensory experience and proven data to validate product performance. 
Biosurfactants in bathroom.
Pushing away from petrochemicals: Biosurfactants offer high-performance alternative
Biosurfactants are gaining traction across the personal care and cosmetics industries as sustainable alternatives to petrochemical surfactants.
White rain products.
White Rain undergoes brand refresh and unveils hair line for value-driven consumers
White Rain, a US-based personal care brand, has launched a Specialty Haircare Collection — its first new release in over a decade. The eight-product line marks the first look into White Rain’s 2026 brand reinvigoration, reflecting elevated formulas, upgraded packaging, and ingredient-focused benefits designed for today’s value-driven and conscious beauty consumer. 
Mane Kancor Technical Paper
A Patented Breakthrough in Scalp Health — Learn more from the clinical study results
Purakan™ is a patented breakthrough in natural scalp care, proven to outperform market leaders on pruritus, dandruff, itching, and flaking. It replaces synthetic options like ZPT and piroctone olamine. Clinical studies show 89.7% of participants experienced reduced dandruff and itching within just seven days.This technical paper is brought to you by Mane Kancor.
Jean-Yves Bruxer, Sethic, PCHi 2026, Glass Skin, Skincare Ingredients, Active Ingredients, Fermentation Technology, Multi Strain Fermentation, Chinese Beauty, Science Backed Skincare, Longevity Skinca
PCHi 2026: Sethic breaks Guinness World Record and unveils glass skin ingredient

At PCHi, Sephic broke a Guinness World Record for tying Chinese knots, and globally launched its “glass skin” ingredient made with multi-strain fermentation technology. Jean-Yves Bruxer, managing director at Sethic, told us that the ingredient responds to consumer demands for science-backed solutions with explained efficacy. He adds that increasingly science-focused purchasing habits could help propel Chinese beauty into the mainstream in the coming years.

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PCHi 2026 review: Clinical-backing and indulgent sensory take center stage
At PCHi 2026 (Personal Care and Homecare Ingredients) in Hangzhou, China, the personal care industry gathered to present an array of beauty ingredient launches. Standout trends included scientifically-backed solutions, eye-catching formulas, and emotion-evoking sensory experiences. The exhibitors featured plant-based ingredients and products that provide a rejuvenated appearance, all based on the demands of Chinese beauty consumers. We look back at the event’s top innovators and their latest innovations.

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Sephora launches ChatGPT app as AI beauty shopping takes off
Sephora logo on a building facade
Sephora has debuted an app inside ChatGPT, creating an AI-powered shopping experience for beauty consumers through a conversational interface. The move allows Sephora shoppers to discover products, receive recommendations, and eventually make purchases inside the virtual space. The Sephora app in ChatGPT is currently piloting in the US. Users can ask beauty questions in the app’s chat format and receive curated product advice based on the retailer’s product catalog and “beauty knowledge.”
Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2026: Schwan Cosmetics reveals eyeliner platform...
A woman with colorful funky graphic eyeliner.
Schwan Cosmetics, a global manufacturer of white-label color cosmetics, has launched Meta-Ink in PrimeLiner at Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, Italy (March 26–28). The move is slated as a response to accelerating color cycles in the cosmetics and beauty arena, and the rapidly growing demand for expressive and bold eye looks. Marieke Waldmann, global product manager for Eye Products at Schwan Cosmetics, tells Personal Care Insights that the solution is designed to help beauty brands respond to evolving color trends without compromising on quality.
J&J caught between dropped cosmetic talc damages and retracted Lancet safety...
J&J baby powder in someone's hand
A California, US, court dismissed a US$950 million punitive damages award against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) in a talc-related mesothelioma case. The dismissal comes amid heightened scrutiny of scientific evidence used in talc litigation. Yesterday, The Lancet retracted a commentary on cosmetic talc safety due to an alleged conflict of interest with J&J in the 1970s. The US lawsuit was filed by the family of Mae Moore, a California resident who died in 2021 at age 88 after developing mesothelioma — a cancer strongly linked to asbestos exposure.
Coverpla unveils Mystère Bottle for Egoscentrique fragrance collection
A white bottle with a red label placed next to a red box
French packaging solution provider Coverpla has created the Mystère bottle for Italian brand Egoscentrique’s fragrance collection, representing the brand’s “luxurious spirit of eccentricity.”The Mystère bottle features a rounded shape and a 50 mL size. It was crafted as an extension of Egoscentrique’s original cap. 
Revieve unveils ChatGPT tool for beauty brands amid AI discovery shift
Woman in front of a circular light and pink backdrop
Revieve has launched a tool that lets beauty brands and retailers guide how consumers discover skin care products inside generative AI platforms, with its AI Skin Advisor for ChatGPT. Consumers’ beauty discovery journeys are rapidly evolving beyond traditional channels like web search and social media. As beauty shoppers increasingly demand personalized routines, tools such as ChatGPT have gained increased attention. However, generative AI tools often provide generic answers, leaving distinct brand voices out of the discovery journey.
Novonesis growth forecast: Biosolutions in HMOs, precision proteins &...
Meeting with scientists and business people

Nutrition Insight

After strong 2025 financial results for the Novonesis Human Health division, the company believes it is on track for continued growth over the next five years. The biosolutions specialist is betting on ingredient categories like precision proteins, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), and solutions in women’s health, mental wellness, and metabolic health. Nutrition Insight discusses how the division’s 2025 organic growth fits in Novonesis’ five-year strategy and larger market trends with Henrik Jørck Nielsen, EVP of Human Health Biosolutions & Strategy. 
Highlighted features
Estée Lauder logo against a building front
Business News
Estée Lauder and Puig discuss merger as fragrance race...
The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) has confirmed that it is in talks with Spanish beauty group Puig about a potential business merger that would bring major fragrance and beauty brands, including Tom Ford, Rabanne, and Clinique, under one company. The potential deal could create a luxury beauty group valued at around US$40 billion, and may strengthen both companies’ position in the global fragrance market, which has seen heightened investment from global giants such as L’Oréal.
Jaka Biotech’s booth at PCHi 2026 in Hangzhou, China.
Personal Care Insights News
PCHi 2026 live: Jaka Biotech looks to redefine skin...
Jaka Biotech is showcasing its latest innovation, Anglysin IB, a multifunctional anti-glycation active targeting skin aging, at PCHi 2026 in Hangzhou, China, taking place March 18–20, 2026. The ingredient, which is extracted from Inula britannica flowers, contains phenols, flavonoids, and sesquiterpenes — a naturally occurring organic compound often used in cosmetic products for their skin-healing, soothing, and anti-irritant properties. The company says product works at the genetic level and also contributes to natural whitening of the skin. at stands out for working at the gene. The company says the product works at the genetic level and also contributes to natural whitening of the skin.
Dow stand at PCHi
Business News
PCHi 2026 live: Dow showcases award-winning resin...
Dow Chemical has launched its latest color cosmetic and hair care active ingredient at PCHi 2026 (Personal Care and Homecare Ingredients), and picked up an award for its resin gum ingredient during the China cosmetics exhibition.The chemical cosmetics company has also deepened its Chinese footprint through a range of portfolio expansions, showcased during the trade show, which is taking place in Hangzhou (Mar 18-20).

Personal care focus

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The Future of FragranceMar2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that global fragrance launches are increasing, with an average annual growth rate of +51 % from 2021 to 2025. Consumers globally prefer light fragrances, and thei...

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Product innovation

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Home care innovation Mar 2026

According to Innova Market Insights, Household Care products are gaining ground, with an average annual growth rate of 18% from 2021 to 2025. Consumers globally say they have mostly purchased cleaning products (81%) and dishwashing & washing-up products (75%). New product launches emphasize sustainability and functionality.

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Sustainable personal care packaging solutionsMar 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that the use of sustainable packaging in personal care product launches grew 20% year-over-year from 2024 to 2025, reflecting a strong demand for more eco-friendly products, inside and out.

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Jean-Yves Bruxer, Sethic, PCHi 2026, Glass Skin, Skincare Ingredients, Active Ingredients, Fermentation Technology, Multi Strain Fermentation, Chinese Beauty, Science Backed Skincare, Longevity Skinca
Video05:15
PCHi 2026: Sethic breaks Guinness World Record and unveils glass skin ingredient

At PCHi, Sephic broke a Guinness World Record for tying Chinese knots, and globally launched its “glass skin” ingredient made with multi-strain fermentation technology. Jean-Yves Bruxer, managing director at Sethic, told us that the ingredient responds to consumer demands for science-backed...

Nikita Radionov, Eurofine
Video06:06
PCHi 2026: Eurofins discusses demonstrating product efficacy to secure consumer trust
Beto Pino, Vantage
Video14:50
PCHi 2026: Vantage targets visual product appeal and skin rejuvenation
Ango Gao, Coachchem
Video10:43
PCHi 2026: Coachchem launches all-in-one hair care ingredient
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