{"id":126116,"date":"2026-05-27T09:17:44","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T07:17:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bioecoactual.com\/?p=126116"},"modified":"2026-05-27T09:17:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T07:17:44","slug":"natural-cosmetics-industry-forum-2026-shaping-the-future-of-beauty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bioecoactual.com\/en\/2026\/05\/27\/natural-cosmetics-industry-forum-2026-shaping-the-future-of-beauty\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Cosmetics Industry Forum 2026: shaping the future of beauty"},"content":{"rendered":"

The <\/span>Natural Cosmetics Industry Forum 2026<\/b>, organised by NATRUE \u2013 The International\u00a0 Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association, held its <\/span>first edition <\/b>on 20 May in Berlin, <\/span>bringing together nearly 70\u00a0 participants<\/b>, including leading scientists, industry experts, brands and regulatory stakeholders to discuss the key\u00a0 forces transforming the natural and organic cosmetics sector.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Paula-G\u00f3mez-de-Tejada,-Florian-Stintzing,-Jayn-Sterland,-Henrike-Neuhoff,-Aida-Mart\u00ednez,-Jelena-Lemercinier-Wagner,-Martina-Navky,-Wilfried-Petersen\"
\u00a9Anne Preussel. Paula G\u00f3mez de Tejada, Florian Stintzing, Jayn Sterland, Henrike Neuhoff, Aida Mart\u00ednez, Jelena Lemercinier-Wagner, Martina Navky, Wilfried Petersen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a new platform for exchange, the Forum created a space for <\/span>high-level dialogue<\/b>, <\/span>networking <\/b>and <\/span>collaboration across science, industry and regulation<\/b>, exploring how sustainability, performance and innovation are reshaping\u00a0 product development, regulatory frameworks and evolving consumer expectations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>With the first edition of the Forum, NATRUE aims to create an inspiring space for the industry to connect, while\u00a0 supporting further development and modernisation. Natural cosmetics need a clear identity: preserving diversity while\u00a0 sharpening focus \u2013 which is exactly why formats like this are essential. At the heart of it are credibility, trust, integrity,\u00a0 independence, transparency, and accessibility<\/span><\/i>\u201d, said Prof. Dr. Florian Stintzing, President of NATRUE and CEO of\u00a0 WALA Heilmittel GmbH.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sustainability becomes baseline, not the differentiator<\/h2>\n

Insights from <\/span>Mintel <\/b>and <\/span>Weleda <\/b>highlighted three major structural shifts shaping the future of beauty: the <\/span>rise of\u00a0 longevity <\/b>as a global, intercultural movement focused on health, prevention and youthful appearance; the increasing\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cskintellect\u201d of consumers <\/b>demanding efficacy, transparency and ingredient literacy; and the <\/span>mainstreaming of\u00a0 natural and clean beauty <\/b>as part of more mindful consumption patterns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this context, sustainability is no longer a differentiator, but a baseline expectation. As <\/span>Silke Lambers<\/span>, Beauty and\u00a0 Personal Care Principal Analyst at Mintel, noted, \u201c<\/span>the question is no longer whether brands are sustainable, but what\u00a0 they bring on top of that<\/span><\/i>.\u201d Ethical and environmental positioning has become embedded in everyday consumer\u00a0 decision-making.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Trust and transparency remain central: <\/b>48% of German beauty personal care buyers actively seeking detailed eco <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>information<\/span>. In this context, <\/span>certification plays a key role <\/b>in helping consumers navigate increasingly complex\u00a0 landscape of claims. As highlighted during the Forum, the most effective communication combines simple on-pack\u00a0 claims with credible third-party certification, a combination trusted <\/span>by 60% of German consumers<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Keynote-Mintel_Weleda\"
\u00a9Anne Preussel. Insights from Mintel and Weleda.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Science and biotechnology driving measurable performance in natural cosmetics<\/h2>\n

In a scientific keynote, <\/span>Dr. Henrike Neuhoff<\/span>, <\/span>Chief Scientific Officer at Laverana GmbH, demonstrated how <\/span>certified\u00a0 natural cosmetics can deliver measurable performance through nature<\/b>, supported by <\/span>scientific evidence <\/b>rather\u00a0 than assumptions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The presentation highlighted a <\/span>broad range of advanced natural active ingredients <\/b>used in modern formulations,\u00a0 illustrating how \u201cperformance through nature\u201d is achieved in practice. Examples included <\/span>bakuchiol <\/b>as a natural\u00a0 alternative to retinol; <\/span>Axcosome\u2122 technology <\/b>based on Centella asiatica (CICA); <\/span>peptide systems <\/b>such as BGT or TPD1; and <\/span>vegan PDRN <\/b>alternatives from barley sprout.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Across all examples, the keynote underlined that <\/span>natural cosmetics can deliver visible and measurable results<\/b>,\u00a0 particularly in hydration, skin barrier support, radiance, tone improvement, wrinkle reduction and skin renewal,\u00a0 increasingly supported by scientific data.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Regulation reshapes sustainability communication<\/h2>\n

A dedicated panel addressed the <\/span>evolving regulatory landscape for environmental claims<\/b>, including the\u00a0 Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive. The Directive introduces stricter requirements for\u00a0 substantiation, clarity and transparency in environmental advertising and sustainability communication, and must be\u00a0 transposed and <\/span>enforced <\/b>by Member States <\/span>by 27 September 2026<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It prohibits certain business practices, sets requirements for specific types of environmental claims, and applies to\u00a0 both explicit claims (such as text) and implicit claims (such as imagery, symbols or colours).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Speakers emphasised that brands will increasingly require robust internal processes and regulatory expertise, as\u00a0 unverified or generic sustainability claims carry significant legal risks. The discussion reinforced the need for clear,\u00a0 specific and evidence-based communication, with certification frameworks helping to support consumer understanding\u00a0 and trust.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Translating science into consumer understanding<\/h2>\n

A subsequent panel discussion, featuring <\/span>representatives <\/span>from <\/span>Laverana GmbH, Lucas Meyer Cosmetics, CRL\u00a0 Berlin <\/b>and <\/span>Croda Beauty<\/b>, explored the theme \u201cNatural cosmetics work \u2013 naturally\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A recurring challenge emerged: <\/span>how to translate complex scientific innovation into clear, accessible and\u00a0 credible consumer communication<\/b>. Experts stressed the importance of combining robust scientific evidence with\u00a0 simple, transparent claims, supported by certification, to build trust and support informed decision-making at the point\u00a0 of sale.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Education by both brands and ingredient suppliers, along with closer collaboration across the value chain, was\u00a0 identified as essential.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Masterclass-Essential-oils-2\"
\u00a9Anne Preussel. Masterclass Essential Oils.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Masterclass: natural complex substances and holistic approaches<\/h2>\n

The Forum concluded with a <\/span>masterclass <\/b>on natural complex substances, presented by <\/span>Prof. Dr. Florian Stintzing<\/span>,\u00a0 President of NATRUE and CEO of WALA Heilmittel GmbH, offering participants a <\/span>sensory experience with\u00a0 essential oils <\/b>and plant-derived ingredients, including the opportunity to smell different essential oils and engage\u00a0 directly with their diversity and character.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The session introduced the concept of <\/span>natural complex substances (NCS), <\/b>defined as naturally occurring mixtures\u00a0 such as food or plant extracts, shaped and optimised by evolution. Using essential oils as a key example, the <\/span>masterclass explained their nature as highly concentrated, volatile and aromatic plant extracts. Essential oils can be\u00a0 found across different plant parts, including flowers, leaves, peels, seeds, bark, roots and resins. Their composition is\u00a0 highly sensitive: even <\/span>the absence of a single component can alter their overall properties<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The Natural Cosmetics Industry Forum 2026 concluded with a clear consensus: the natural cosmetics sector is\u00a0 entering a new phase in which sustainability is a baseline expectation, performance is essential, and science-driven\u00a0 innovation is central to future development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NATRUE reaffirmed its commitment to supporting identity, innovation, information and industry engagement,\u00a0 highlighting the importance of evolution rather than disruption in the ongoing transformation of the sector.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first edition of the Forum also underscored the importance of collaboration between science, industry and\u00a0 regulation in strengthening trust, transparency and innovation in natural and organic cosmetics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Save the date: <\/b>Building on this momentum, <\/span>the second edition of the Natural Cosmetics Industry Forum will\u00a0 take place in <\/b>Brussels on 1\u20132 June 2027<\/b>, <\/span>continuing the dialogue on the future of science, sustainability and\u00a0 performance in cosmetics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • Further information about the event is available here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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