The trade show dedicated to personal care ingredients, which will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from 7 to 9 November 2023, has announced the official shortlist for this year’s Innovation Zone Awards [1].

Offering a glimpse into the trends driving the Asian personal care market, it comes as no surprise that skincare products top the list for the greatest number of entries among the 20 shortlisted ingredients. The category is closely followed by haircare and suncare.

Winners in the two categories (“best active ingredient” et “best functional ingredient”) will be announced on Wednesday 8 November during the awards ceremony at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC).

Finalists in the Best Active Ingredient category include:

- Algaktiv Collage by Algaktiv: A 2-in-1 firming complex that harnesses the power of vegan, upcycled peptides, standardized in glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
- Col-4-Frag remastered by LipoTrue: A remastered concept of collagen that acts as a building block and booster for collagen synthesis and tightens the dermis and epidermis while preventing senescence.
- Hairvivine-Pro by Rahn AG: A water-based extract derived from the seeds of the Styrian pumpkin Cucurbita pepo var. styriaca. It contains valuable nutrients in the form of amino acids and carbohydrates that support the physiological functioning of hair follicles.
- Holobiosys by Greentech: A COSMOS-certified organic upcycled active ingredient made from a wild yellow gentian root extract that boosts hyaluronic acid and lipids synthesis, restores skin hydration, and allows the reinforcement of epidermal barrier.
- Immunight by Lucas Meyer Cosmetics: A green-processed oil-soluble lavandin extract designed to reduce the effects of poor-quality sleep on skin by boosting nighttime skin recovery and targeting the improvement of sleep quality by inhalation of olfactory compounds.
- Perfeline-Fit by Rahn AG: A water-based extraction of Helichrysum italicum synangustifolium, chlorogenic acid, and di-O-caffeoylquinic acids to strengthen the micro-vessels in human skin.
- Regenight by Lucas Meyer Cosmetics: An active ingredient that improves sleep quality while boosting the expression of melatonin pathway genes and antioxidant capacity to improve the skin regeneration process and reduce oxidative stress.
- Regetaste by Codif Technologie Naturelle: An anti-ageing epidermal ingredient that improves skin texture and brightness.
- Sagacious by Seppic Asia: A biomimetic anti-ageing active extracted from Himanthalia elongata seaweed providing proven anti-sagging benefits.
- Uplevity e-Lift peptide by Lubrizol: A tetrapeptide inspired by microcurrent devices that mimics the benefits of electrical stimulation for an upper face lifted appearance and reduced visibility of wrinkles.

The ingredients shortlisted in the Best Functional Ingredient category are:

- Aristoflex Eco T by Clariant: A biodegradable ingredient based on renewable sources while providing rheology, oil and particle stabilization and an excellent skin feel.
- Belsil EG 3000 by Wacker Chemicals (South Asia): A transparent silicone elastomer gel that offers a pleasant skin feel for use as an additive in products such as moisturising creams, foundations and deodorants.
- Bentone Plus Glow by Elementis: A combination of natural ingredients designed to impart rheological control and suspension to the oil phase of cosmetics and skin care products and promote the skin’s barrier function.
- EcoSense APP-1000 Surfactant by Dow Company: A nature-derived, high-performance surfactant for use at low levels to boost the performance of other bio-based surfactants enabling naturally derived formulations.
- Emulium Dermolea MB by Gattefossé: A plant-based O/W emulsifier offering a unique lipidic composition rich in sterols and triterpenes to reduce skin stress and bring long-term soothing.
- EverGuard CY by Sino Lion USA: A broad-spectrum preservative ideal for use in a wide range of personal care and cosmetic applications including creams, lotions, facial masks, sunscreens, wipes, and more.
- NatPro 8000 by Chemrez Technologies: A revolutionary, natural broad-spectrum preservative and antimicrobial active, expertly formulated from sustainably sourced coconuts.
- Softisan MagicPowder S by IOI Oleo: A water-resistant/waterbinding vegan film-former for safe formulas offering caring smooth sensoriality, and providing a barrier protecting effect.
- Tinomax CC by BASF: A functionalized, natural-based particle suitable for completely eco-friendly systems providing sunscreen improved performance for SPF and UVAA.
- TMS-T05DCB/TMS-T10DCB by Tayca Corporation: To be launched at-show.