Ⅰ. Core background of industry structural changes
In recent years, the global personal care and cosmetic raw material industry is undergoing a round of structural changes, the core driving force of which comes from the concept of “sustainable substitution” to the landing of large-scale industries.Especially in the context of the EU reach regulations, the continuous advancement of d4/d5/d6 restrictions, and the increasing pressure on esg disclosure on the brand side, the raw material system is gradually shifting from “performance first” to “performance +sustainability dual-dimensional decision-making”.
Recently, the AviGa™ Bio-based Glycolic Acid launched by Avid Organics has become one of the focus of industry attention.The product is 70% bio-based cosmetic grade glycolic acid and has completed reach registration. It is planned to be launched globally in April 2026.Its significance is not only to provide a path to replace glycolic acid from traditional petrochemical sources, but more importantly, it represents a new type of raw material paradigm: that is, to achieve synchronization between industrial scale, regulatory compliance and sustainability.
As the core active ingredient in the α-hydroxyl acid system, glycolic acid has long been widely used in anti-aging skin care, chemical rejuvenation, efficacy cleansing and professional care products.Its traditional production path relies on intermediates of petrochemical origin, and it has long attracted industry attention in terms of carbon footprint, supply chain transparency, and control of trace by-products.As consumers' requirements for “clean beauty” and “traceable sourcing” continue to increase, the green transformation of such basic active substances is accelerating.
This trend is not limited to a single active system, but is expanding to the entire formula structure level.From the emulsification system to the conditioning system, from the grease structure to the polymer network, the industry is systematically reconstructing the formulation infrastructure.
Ⅱ. The direction of core system reconstruction and the application of key raw materials
✅ 1. Hair care and conditioning system: from a single function to a stable structure node
-Cationic conditioners still play a key role, for example, they still have stable performance in terms of smoothness and antistatic properties, while continuously optimizing the dosage structure in a new generation of low-residue formulation systems.
-Similar systems also maintain their application value in terms of softening and combing improvement in high-end hair care products.Such raw materials are changing from “single-function additives” to “stable nodes of formula structure”.
✅ 2. Gentle cleansing and emulsifying system: dual upgrade of low irritation and skin feeling optimization
-Peg and glycosyl derivative systems continue to play a role.For example, ingredients that have both moisturizing and solubilizing capabilities are widely used in integrated care products.
-The role of such raw materials in reducing the irritation of the cleansing system while enhancing skin feeling makes it an important part of the design of the gentle system.
✅ 3. Grease and Structural Grease system: Functional Definition upgrade and Sustainability Re-evaluation
-The oil system that used to be based on skin texture modification is now given a more complex functional definition. It not only needs to provide ductility and lubrication, but also needs to participate in system stability and tactile regulation.
✅ 4. Emulsification and rheological system: multi-layer structure in parallel with the green path
-The traditional o/w and w/o systems are developing towards a multi-layer structure and a composite stability mechanism, especially in high-powder systems, makeup base makeup, and sunscreen products, the requirements for system stability have been significantly improved.
-The Thickening suspension structure system has begun to play a more important role in improving suspension stability and tactile consistency. -Bio-based rheological system: Polymerization systems based on biologically derived dibasic acids such as Sebacic acid copolymer are becoming one of the important directions in the design of green polymers, providing a new path choice to replace traditional acrylic systems.
✅ 5. Formula development logic: from experience-driven to data-based system design
-The experience-driven development model in the past is gradually shifting to a system design method supported by data simulation and predictive models.
-Improve development efficiency and reduce trial and error costs by modeling the performance of different raw material combinations in stability, skin feeling and cost structure.
Ⅲ. Key points and future trends of industry transformation
️️-It is no longer limited to the replacement of a single raw material, but involves systematic engineering of regulatory compliance, supply chain transparency, consumer awareness, and the overall reconstruction of the formula system.
️️-In the next few years, the core of industry competition will no longer revolve around “single-effect ingredients”, but around system-level solution capabilities.
-Companies that can more efficiently build a formula structure that takes into account performance and sustainability will occupy a more favorable position in the new round of industry upgrades.
Hubei Mingya New Material Technology Co., Ltd.
