Color cosmetics innovation is getting a boost from a fresh wave of sustainable, high-performance ingredients.
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Color cosmetics innovation is getting a boost from a fresh wave of sustainable, high-performance ingredients.
From advanced pigments to biodegradable powders, the latest developments in makeup and color cosmetics ingredients are driving trends in both functionality and eco-conscious formulations.
This brief explores some of the most recent breakthroughs, including high-impact effect pigments, sustainable alternatives to microplastics and multifunctional polymers.
Whether you're looking to improve product performance, meet growing demand for clean beauty or push the boundaries of formulation, these innovations are shaping the future of makeup and color cosmetics.
New Amber Hue Added to Popular Effect Pigment Line
Sun Chemical has expanded its Chione Electric effect pigment range with the launch of Chione Electric Amber SB90D, the third new color in the line released this year. Based on a patented technology, Chione Electric Amber SB90D is a synthetic mica-based effect pigment in a shimmering amber hue. It joins earlier additions from 2025.
The pigment is made with globally approved color additives for cosmetics and supports vegan formulations. It is designed for use in bold, high-impact cosmetic, skin care and sun care applications. The Chione Electric series is reportedly known for its high chroma, UV stability and non-staining, non-bleeding properties.
"We’re excited to be adding another color to our popular Chione Electric effect pigment line," said Ed Webb, global director of cosmetics at Sun Chemical. "The successful launches of our vegan, high chroma Chione Electric Sunset SK90D and Chione Electric Fuchsia SF90D have increased demand for more bright, clean hues and we’re thrilled to add to this product line with a new amber color to meet our customers’ needs."
Innovative Solution for Enhanced Eyelash Density and Protection
Symrise's new SymLash XTreme combines a redesigned lipopeptide with troxerutin, a blood microcirculation agent, to enhance eyelash density and follicle protection. Symrise
The lipopeptide provides keratinocyte stimulation while at the same time, the troxerutin imparts follicle protection to boost the appearance of eyelashes. Because the technology is available in a ready-to-use liquid format, it can be applied to eyeliners, eyelash serums, eyebrow mascaras and liners. According to Symrise, Symlash XTreme is "inspired by the market trend favoring multi-target approaches to eye beauty care."
“With SymLash XTreme, we’re taking a comprehensive approach to eyelash care – enabling our customers to offer enhanced eyelash density and follicle protection, both efficiently and cost-effectively,” said Marcia Paula, global category director hair care at Symrise. “With our strong track record in lipopeptides, SymLash XTreme aims at helping our customers to meet the growing consumer demand for natural eyelash fullness more easily than ever.”
Qore Launches Bio-based 1,4-Butanediol Production in Iowa
Qore, a joint venture of Minnesota-based Cargill and Germany-based Helm AG, is beginning production of Qira brand 1,4-butanediol (BDO) in Eddyville, Iowa from locally grown dent corn. The versatile ingredient can boost the bio-based content of everything from hair and oral care to color cosmetics and packaging.
This alternative to fossil-derived BDO can be used in the manufacture of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), a water-soluble polymer used as a film former in cosmetics like mascara and eyeliner.
A Sustainable, High-Performance Powder for Makeup Formulations
Grant Industries' Granpowder CSC is a biodegradable powder designed to elevate makeup and color cosmetics formulations. Created as a sustainable alternative to traditional microplastic powders, it delivers exceptional performance while aligning with eco-conscious values.
Granpowder CSC’s proprietary surface-coating technology, made from food-grade Zea mays (corn) starch and calcium silicate, reportedly provides a velvety-smooth texture, excellent slip, and a luxurious application feel. Its unique polyhedral-to-subspherical particle shape creates a soft-focus effect, blurring imperfections and delivering a flawless, photo-ready finish in makeup products like primers, foundations and powders.
With strong oil absorption capabilities, Granpowder CSC is ideal for matte and oil-control formulations, purportedly matching the performance of leading synthetic powders like polymethylsilsesquioxane. Its light-diffusing properties also enhance complexion products, offering a natural, radiant look.
Granpowder CSC’s versatility makes it easy to incorporate into various makeup formulations, including oil-in-water (O/W), water-in-oil (W/O) and anhydrous systems. Whether it's for creamy blushes, silky eyeshadows, or lightweight foundations, this ingredient ensures top-tier performance without compromising sensory appeal.
A New Sustainable, Naturally Derived Polymeric Emulsifier
Lubrizol's new PemuPur Vista polymer is a naturally derived polymeric emulsifier for skin care, sun care, makeup and other applications.
The polymer's "unique" structure is claimed to allow formulators to use the material at low levels to produce rich lotions and creams with a light sensory feel, softness and no stickiness.
It also provides primary emulsification and long-term stability up to 12,000 mPa.s*.
Furthermore, the polymer reduces particle size and stabilizes oil droplets, per Lubrizol, making it appropriate for makeup requiring pigment compatibility, stabilization and viscosity build, as well as reduced emulsifier content for marked smoothness and softness.
The ingredient, which reportedly has a sensory profile similar to synthetic polymeric emulsifiers, features a natural origin content of 97% (ISO 16128) and biodegradability credentials (OECD 301D).
Microplastic-Free Solutions for Cosmetics
Shin-Etsu Silicones of America (SESA) has introduced microplastic-free alternatives for cosmetics, emphasizing soft-focus effects, powdery sensations and thickening properties. This includes KSG-19-PF (INCI: Dimethicone (and) Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer), which reportedly creates a powdery skin sensation and matte finish to reduce shine. It also acts as a thickening agent and works well in skin care and makeup formulations.
