On April 10, 2025, in Amsterdam, in-cosmetics Global closed its doors on its most international edition yet, with a worldwide audience of 84 % and a 16 % increase in the number of international visitors.
Some 10,879 visitors attended. "We always come to in-cosmetics Global because it's very important for the company to showcase our formulations, make contact with customers and meet potential new partners. The event is a way of presenting and exposing our company to the world".said Lucile Raffray, R&D Project Manager for Lucas Meyer Cosmetics.
Ideas that count
The brand-new Testing and Regulation Forum, in collaboration with Skinobs, offered 10 sessions exploring changing regulatory landscapes, cross-border compliance challenges and emerging testing technologies, with a focus on longevity and anti-pollution. One of the highlights of the forum was the discussion "Regulatory Panel: Navigating Global Regulatory Challenges", which brought together experts from REACH24H, the European Federation of Cosmetic Ingredients (EFfCI), the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA), Potion and the Bustos Law Group.
Heather Bustos, Managing Partner of the Bustos Law Group, compared the different regulatory environments, noting that "many brands in the US are inspired by EU practices and their well-established regulations". For her part, Sanjana Balani, founder and CEO of Potion, recalled that India had "pioneered the ban on animal testing" across Asia, and positioned India as a leader in progressive industry regulation.
The highly anticipated Marketing Trends Theatre hosted 21 sessions with analysts, researchers, cosmetics scientists and marketing experts from companies such as Mintel, The Benchmarking Company, Keune Haircosmetics, Coty, Beauty Pie and many more.
Marica Kilgore, visionary founder of Beauty Pie, Bliss, Soap and Glory and FitFlop, shared her personal journey and real-world insights in an informal discussion on the cosmetics sector. She stressed the importance of building a brand with a strong "why", which led to the creation of Beauty Pie - a brand driven by the belief that consumers deserve more from their beauty products. She offered practical advice to fellow entrepreneurs, including her 80/20 rule: focus 80 % of your energy on your unique selling point and 20 % on exploring new sector opportunities.
Emilie Hood, Beauty and Consumer Health Consultant at Euromonitor International, presented "Beauty Outlook: Innovation in Personal Care". Her data-driven analysis highlighted innovation, renovation and disruption as key growth drivers, while predicting that more targeted offers and a push for sustainability and authenticity will shape the beauty industry well beyond 2025.
With specialized ingredients typically found in dermatologists' offices and professional settings becoming more commonplace, Selma Carvalho, Medical Affairs Specialist and Medical Scientific Liaison at Galderma, moderated a roundtable discussion on the dermocosmetics market. Experts from Teoxane SA, Evolved by Nature, Medico wellness Co., Ltd. and MyMicrobiome AG joined the session to offer perspectives covering dermatology, formulation and marketing. Panelists addressed the growing gap between consumer perceptions and medical advice, as well as how consumers are increasingly becoming "asset experts", as ingredient-based beauty continues to grow.
Dr Romun Leaovitav, from Medico Wellness Co. Ltd, explained that many consumers are looking for quick fixes, often using products that are not suitable for their skin, despite the potential harmful side effects. The session coincided with the launch of the report "Exploring growth and development in dermocosmetics - where health meets beauty", which delved into the subject of the impact of ingredients on the industry.
In their presentation entitled "Fragrance Frenzy: Scents & Emotions Consumers Crave from Your Brand", Denise Herich and Jennifer Stansbury, both co-founders and partners of The Benchmarking Company, highlighted the vital role played by fragrances in the beauty and personal care sectors, revealing how they shape consumer desire, loyalty and brand attachment. They also unveiled original consumer research showing that the main reasons for using fragrance are to smell good (88 %), to enhance sensory experiences (73 %), and almost all consumers agree that fragrance affects mood (99 %).
Reminding us of the urgent need for transparency and scientific rigor in substantiating skincare claims, Stewart Long, CEO of Cutest Systems Ltd, presented a session entitled "The New Science Validating the Efficacy of Next-gen Anti-ageing Formulations in Clinical Studies", giving an overview of how clinical research drives innovation in skincare and emphasizing the importance of evidence-based claims: "People look at us and think we're making things up," he said.
Science, innovation and sustainability
Highlighting the latest trends in science, innovation and sustainability, the show focused on how these pillars are shaping the future of cosmetics. The Formulation Lab®, sponsored by Brenntag and in partnership with Enkos Developments and IKA, was led by award-winning cosmetics scientist Lorna Radford. Formulators and R&D teams from cosmetics manufacturers and contract manufacturers rolled up their sleeves to experiment with new techniques, hone their skills and share ideas, all under the expert guidance of representatives from IMCD, Kobo Products, IOI Oleo GmbH, Dow, Symrise AG and Oqema Group.
Sponsored by Azelis, the expanded program of technical seminars featured 125 sessions led by experts from companies such as Sytheon, Eastman, Vantage Personal Care and Univar Solutions. A wide range of topics were covered, including new technologies, specifications and innovative concepts.
The Fragrance Zone showcased the latest technologies and innovations in fragrance creation, delivery systems and formulation processes. Exhibitors such as Carvansons and Microcaps AG presented new products. Eurofragance celebrated 35 years of olfactory innovation by inviting visitors to discover three immersive zones on its stand: Mindful Together, Empowered Together and United Together.
Perfume house Luzi AG unveiled its latest collection, Off Fire, inspired by moments of calm and disconnection from the stress, overload and excess of everyday life. Luzi also presented The Breathing Drop, a sculptural installation inspired by one of the five new fragrance themes. Created in collaboration with artist Annabel Schneider, the work transforms fragrance into a visual and sensory experience, serving as a striking expression of the collection.
In partnership with The Green Chemist Consultancy and Ecovia Intelligence, and sponsored by AAK, the Sustainability Zone focused on recycled ingredients, life cycle assessments (LCAs), emissions, biotechnology, the circular economy and responsible sourcing. Companies such as Elementis, Fairglow, The Carbon Trust, ProvitaL, S.A., BioTara AG addressed the main environmental challenges.
The theme of sustainability ran through many elements of the show, with organizers challenging exhibitors, visitors and their own teams to operate as sustainably as possible over the three days. Laboratoires Expanscience received the Sustainable Stand Award, which recognizes exhibitors who have actively implemented environmentally-friendly measures in the design and construction of their stand.
A pivotal year for innovations
Sponsored by KSM-66 Ashwagandha, the event welcomed over 1,000 exhibitors, many of whom showcased their latest products and innovations. The Innovation Zine, sponsored by Ashland, showcased a record 211 new ingredients from 163 companies, highlighting innovations launched over the past six months and at the show. All ingredients were in the running for the in-cosmetics Global Innovation Zone Best Ingredient awards. Pickmulse from Lucas Meyer Cosmetics won gold in the Functional category, while Solabia Group took gold in the Active category for Pro-Longevia.
In the Exhibitor Zone, Swiss company Kinematica presented an advanced homogenization and dispersion technology for emulsions, suspensions and foams, while Evolved By Nature, which won the Rising Star award - and was shortlisted for four other prizes - highlighted its Activated Silk peptides of natural origin and manufactured using recycled and renewable resources. White Tiger Ground presented its organic antibacterial ingredient and preservative derived from kimchi, and was awarded bronze in the Best Functional Ingredient category.
"In-cosmetics Global 2025 is our most international edition to date. Amsterdam provided the perfect setting for industry leaders from around the world to exchange ideas, explore the latest innovations and shape the future of cosmetic science. The market's focus on sustainability, inclusivity and forward-thinking solutions were at the heart of many discussions."said Roziani Zulkifli, Director of in-cosmetics Global.
The next edition of In-cosmetics Global will take place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, from April 14 to 16, 2026.
