in-cosmetics Global 2025 marks its most international edition

01 MAY, AMSTERDAM:  in-cosmetics Global closed its doors on what proved to be its most international edition to date, achieving an 84% global audience and recording a 16% increase in international visitors, underscoring the event’s growing worldwide appeal.

The show brought together the personal care industry in Amsterdam for an unforgettable edition, welcoming 10,879 unique and 21,342 total visitors, with attendees dedicating multiple days to exploring the vast show floor.

“We always come to in-cosmetics Global as it is really important for the business to showcase our formulations, connect with customers and meet new potential partners. The event is a way to present and expose our company to the world,” said Lucile Raffray, R&D Project Leader for Lucas Meyer Cosmetics.

Insights that matter

The brand-new Testing and Regulation Forum, in collaboration with Skinobs, offered 10 sessions exploring the evolving regulatory landscapes, cross-border compliance challenges and emerging testing technologies, with a focus on longevity and anti-pollution. A highlight was the ‘Regulatory Panel: Navigating Global Regulatory Challenges’ discussion, which featured experts from REACH24H, the European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients (EFfCI), the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA), POTION INC., and Bustos Law Group.

Heather Bustos, Managing Partner at Bustos Law Group, compared different regulatory environments, noting that “many brands in the US are looking to EU practices and their well-established regulations as models.” Whilst Sanjana Balani, Founder & CEO at POTION INC., shared that India was a “pioneer in banning animal testing,” across Asia and positioned India as a leader in progressive industry regulation.

The much-anticipated Marketing Trends Theatre hosted 21 sessions featuring leading analysts, researchers, cosmetic scientists and marketing experts from companies such as Mintel, The Benchmarking Company, Keune Haircosmetics, Coty, Beauty Pie and more.

Marica Kilgore, the visionary founder of Beauty Pie, Bliss, Soap and Glory, and FitFlop, shared her personal journey and real-world insights in a fireside chat on the business of cosmetics. She stressed the importance of brand building 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. For fellow entrepreneurs, she offered practical advice, including her 80/20 rule: focus 80% of your energy on your unique selling point and 20% on exploring new industry opportunities.

Meanwhile, Emilie Hood, Consultant for Beauty and Consumer Health at Euromonitor International, presented ‘Beauty Outlook: Innovation in Personal Care’. Her data-driven analysis highlighted innovation, renovation and disruption as key growth drivers, while forecasting that more targeted offerings and a push for sustainability and authenticity will shape the beauty industry well beyond 2025.

With speciality ingredients typically seen in the dermatologist’s office and professional field becoming mainstream, Selma Carvalho, Medical Affairs Specialist and Medical Scientific Liaison at Galderma, moderated a panel discussing the Dermocosmetics market. Joined by experts from TEOXANE SA, Evolved by Nature, Medico wellness Co., Ltd. and MyMicrobiome AG, the session offered perspectives spanning dermatology, formulation and marketing. Panellists addressed the widening gap between consumer perceptions and medical guidance and how consumers are increasingly becoming ‘experts in actives,’ as ingredient-led beauty continues to grow.

Dr. Romun Leaovitav, MD, MSc. Dermatology and ABAARM at Medico Wellness Co., Ltd., explained that many consumers are seeking quick fixes, often using products that may not be suitable for their skin, despite potential negative side effects. The session also marked the launch of the report, Exploring the Growth and Development in Dermocosmetics – Where Health Meets Beauty, which continued the conversation on ingredient-led beauty and its impact on the industry.

Fragrance holds a powerful place in our lives, offering consumers an emotional escape and the ability to be transported to different worlds through scent. In their compelling presentation, ‘Fragrance Frenzy: Scents & Emotions Consumers Crave from Your Brand,’ Denise Herich and Jennifer Stansbury both Co-founders and Managing Partners of The Benchmarking Company, highlighted the essential role fragrance plays across beauty and personal care, revealing how it shapes consumer desire, loyalty and brand connection. They also revealed original consumer research which stated the top reasons for fragrance use are to smell good (88%), enhance sensory experiences (73%), with nearly all consumers agreeing that scent affects mood (99%).

Underscoring the urgent need for transparency and scientific rigour in substantiating skincare claims, Stewart Long, CEO of Cutest Systems Ltd, delivered a session on ‘The New Science Validating the Efficacy of Next-gen Anti-ageing Formulations in Clinical Studies,’ providing insights into how clinical research is driving skincare innovation. Long emphasised the importance of evidence-based claims: “People look at us and think we make stuff 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 cosmetic scientist Lorna Radford. Formulators and R&D teams from cosmetic and contract manufacturers rolled up their sleeves to experiment with new techniques, refine 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 Technical Seminar programme featured 125 sessions led by experts from companies such as Sytheon, Eastman, Vantage Personal Care, and Univar Solutions. With the addition of a new theatre, the seminars covered a wide range of topics including new technologies, specifications, and innovative concepts.

The Fragrance Zone highlighted the latest technologies and innovations in fragrance creation, delivery systems and formulation processes. Exhibitors such as Carvansons and MICROCAPS AG presented new products, encapsulating emerging trends and specialised scents. Eurofragance celebrated the milestone of 35 years of olfactive innovation by inviting visitors to three immersive zones at its stand: Mindful Together, Empowered Together and United Together. Each space was designed to reflect a core value: gratitude, recognition and celebration, each brought to life through distinct fragrances.

Fragrance house LUZI AG, unveiled its latest collection, OFF FIRE, which draws inspiration from moments of calm and disconnection from the stress, overwhelm, and excess of everyday life. LUZI also debuted THE BREATHING DROP, a sculptural installation translated from one of the five new fragrance themes. Created in collaboration with artist Annabel Schneider, the piece transformed 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 upcycled ingredients, life cycle assessments (LCAs), emissions, biotech, the circular economy and responsible sourcing. The Forum, Pavilion, Display and Theatre collectively provided a platform for thought leadership and discovery. Companies including Elementis, Fairglow, The Carbon Trust, PROVITAL, S.A., BioTara AG addressed key environmental challenges.

The theme of sustainability ran through many elements of the show, with the organisers challenging exhibitors, visitors and their own teams to operate as sustainably as possible for the three days. Laboratoires Expanscience was awarded the Sustainable Stand Award, which acknowledges exhibitors who have actively implemented eco-conscious measures when designing and building their stands. This was judged by an illustrious panel of sustainability experts and the accolade commended the company for its sustainability credentials and efforts to minimise carbon emissions.

Elsewhere, the QR codes implemented around the show led to over 100,000 Colleqt connections, reducing waste and promoting a paperless approach as well as providing visitors with access to more information and insights than ever before.

Landmark year for innovations

Sponsored by KSM-66 Ashwagandha, the event welcomed over 1,000 exhibitors, with many debuting their latest products and innovations in cosmetic science. The Innovation Zone was sponsored by Ashland and featured a record number of 211 new ingredients from 163 companies, showcasing innovations launched over the last six months and at the show. All ingredients were contenders for the in-cosmetics Global Innovation Zone Best Ingredient Awards. Pickmulse™ by Lucas Meyer Cosmetics won Gold in the Functional category, while Solabia Group took Gold in the Active category for PRO-LONGEVIA®.

In the First Time Exhibitor Zone, Swiss company Kinematica, showcased advanced homogenising and dispersing technology for emulsions, suspensions and foams, while Evolved By Nature who won the Rising Star Award – and was shortlisted for four other awards – highlighted its Activated Silk™ peptides, which are clinically proven, naturally derived and made using upcycled and renewable resources. White Tiger Ground presented its organic antibacterial and preservative ingredient WTGPhLA Kimchi Filtrate Organic Preservative, which is the first commercialised kimchi-derived cosmetic ingredient and was awarded Bronze in the Best Functional Ingredient category.

Roziani Zulkifli, Event Director of in-cosmetics Global, said: “in-cosmetics Global 2025 marks our most international edition to date. Amsterdam provided the perfect backdrop 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 central to many discussions.

“We extend a big thank you to our exhibitors, sponsors, judges, and partners for their invaluable contributions to the success of this year’s event. We’re already looking ahead with excitement to in-cosmetics Global in Paris next year – the very heart of the beauty industry.”

in-cosmetics Global 2026 will take place at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France from 14-16 April. For more information or to register interest in attending, visit the website here.

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