How Cosmetics Impact Mental Well-Being: The Neurocosmetic Frontier — Plus Free Webcast

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The intersection of cosmetics and mental health represents one of the most compelling developments in modern beauty science. Research continues to connect the benefits of cosmetic products beyond aesthetic enhancement, showing they delivering measurable psychological benefits through complex neurobiological pathways. In relation, an upcoming webcast, sponsored by Lucas Meyer Cosmetics by Clariant, will delve deeply into this space.

Free Webcast: Activating the Brain-Beauty Connection: A Multipronged Approach — Register Now!

The Growing Wellness Cosmetics Market

The global beauty and wellness products market has experienced unprecedented growth — valued at US ~$1.73 trillion in 2024, according to Fortune Business Insights, and projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.59% from 2025 to 2032. This expansion reflects consumer interest in beauty products that serve dual functions: enhancing appearance while supporting emotional well-being.

McKinsey adds that 84% of U.S. consumers say wellness is a "top" or "important" priority; that figure is 79% in the UK and surges to 94% in China. 

Neurobiological Mechanisms in Beauty Routines

Consumers prioritizing products that offer both aesthetic and wellness benefits continues to drive innovation in psychodermatology — connecting psychological processes with skin health benefits.

For example, as previously reported, a recent Unilever study found higher levels of Cutibacterium, a common skin bacterium, particularly on the face and underarms, were linked to lower stress and improved mood. 

Steventon also described Shiseido research correlating skin health with physical and mental health indices; for instance, higher or lower amounts of moisture in the stratum corneum were related to the body's oxidative stress state, physical constitution, electrolytes (minerals) in blood and even grip strength of the hands.

Formulating 'Feelings'

Contemporary cosmetic chemistry leverages these neurobiological insights through innovative ingredient systems. Emerging technologies — described in an upcoming webcast — include a quinoa-derived Pickering emulsification system, Pickmulse (INCI: Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate); and an extract of dormant hyacinth bulb, GlowCytocin (INCI: Glycerin (and) Water (Aqua) (and) Hyacinthus Orientalis (Hyacinth) Extract) to improve parameters of emotional well-being.

Such ingredients represent a shift from traditional cosmetic approaches toward evidence-based products designed to affect both dermal and neural responses simultaneously.

Free Webcast: Activating the Brain-Beauty Connection: A Multipronged Approach — Register Now!

Expert Insights on the Brain-Beauty Connection

To explore these developments further, Lucas Meyer Cosmetics by Clariant will present a comprehensive examination of the skin-brain biological connection in the upcoming webcast, Activating the Brain-Beauty Connection: A Multipronged Approach, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at 12:00 PM CDT.

The session will cover:

  • The skin-brain biological connection.
  • Beauty routines and well-being,
  • The anatomy of a formula,
  • Areas of the brain involved,
  • Measuring emotional response,
  • Pickmulse, a quinoa-derived Pickering emulsifier,
  • GlowCytocin, a dormant hyacinth bulb extract and
  • Neurobiological pathways linking skin health and emotional well-being.

This educational webcast will address the growing need for scientific understanding of wellness cosmetics among R&D professionals, formulators and product development teams.

The evolution of cosmetics from purely aesthetic products to scientifically validated wellness solutions represents a fundamental shift in the industry's approach. As research continues to reveal the complex relationships between topical applications and neurological responses, formulators require comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms to develop next-generation products.

Register now for the free webcast: Activating the Brain-Beauty Connection: A Multipronged Approach — Register Now!

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