2026 Beauty Innovation Starts Here: Cosmetics & Toiletries Reveals Editorial Themes

The future of beauty starts now. How will you drive innovation in 2026?

The cosmetics R&D industry is setting new benchmarks for beauty, engineering ingredients to enhance cellular communication and longevity, optimizing biotech to advance sustainability, and reformulating products for higher performance — ultimately to boost skin and hair health benefits.

Biohacking connections between mind-body beauty (e.g., emotions, sleep, etc.) is another active area of research and future development, elevating beauty to a therapeutic level. Many of these efforts are AI-driven, speeding innovation further, deeper and more precisely to meet beauty consumer needs.

Cosmetics & Toiletries (C&T) is positioned at the forefront of these developments, informing and inspiring cosmetic scientists and R&D leaders who are shaping future products. From ingredient launches, formulating expertise and regulatory updates, to testing insights, research news and the trends shaping them all, C&T delivers mission-critical information to revolutionize beauty.

Join us as we push the boundaries of innovation — delivering not just results, but relevance in a rapidly evolving market.

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• Suppliers: Have innovative new ingredients or technologies we should be covering?
• Marketers: Have a breakthrough product pushing new boundaries?
• Testing experts, contract researchers/formulators: Have new or expanded services for beauty brands?
• Software and digital tech providers: Have new solutions to help brands optimize their marketing, product innovation or operations?

Submit your launches and through our online portal for consideration, or connect with our editors.

Engage and Connect with Product Development Influencers

Suppliers and service providers: Want to connect with C&T's 20,000 dedicated monthly readers or 48,000+ (average) regular website users? How about our highly engaged 77,000+ social media followers?

Reach out to our new business development manager, Jolly Patel ([email protected] or 1-630-344-6061) to learn more about cross-platform marketing, editorial and engagement opportunities.

C&T's 2026 Monthly Editorial Themes*

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

Image by Maksymiv Iuriiat Adobe Stock

Hot Topics

• Dermocosmetics and Hair Health               
  Sub-themes may include: longevity, peptides, collagen, scalp care, skinification of hair
• Sustainability            
  Sub-themes may include: biotechnology, upcycled, fermented                      

Expert Opinions

• Promoting Skin and Hair Health

FEBRUARY (ONLINE ONLY)

Hot Topics

• Mild Cleansing 
  Sub-themes may include: biosurfactants, microbiome-friendly, anti-irritation, Gen alpha

Expert Opinions

• Mild Cleansing and Care

MARCH

Bonus distribution: In-cosmetics Global Paris*

Image by doucefleur at Adobe Stock

Hot Topics

• Longevity and Skin Health
  Sub-themes may include: senolytics, peptides, hallmarks of aging, wellness
• Climate-responsive Beauty
  Sub-themes may include: sun protection, antioxidants, anti-pollution, frizz control, digital devices
• Innovations in Testing
  Sub-themes may include: claims support, imaging, proteomics, microbiome, smartphones as instruments                                                                       

C&T Allē Awards 2026

• Finalist Shortlist

Expert Opinions

• Climate-adaptive Beauty

• Testing Innovations

APRIL

Hot Topics

• Zero Waste and Low Impact Beauty
  Sub-themes may include: sustainable alternatives, waterless formats, biodegradable
• Multifunctional Makeup
  Sub-themes may include: moisturizing makeup, lip color plus care, lasting effects
• Holistic Care
  Sub-themes may include: oral care, nutricosmetics, mind-body                     

C&T Allē Awards 2026

• Finalist Shortlist Plus Judges' Commentary

Expert Opinions

• Zero Waste Cosmetics and Personal Care 

MAY

Bonus distribution: NYSCC Suppliers’ Day

Image by Maria Vitkovska at Adobe Stock

Hot Topics

• Anti-aging
  Sub-themes may include: anti-wrinkle, lifting, brightening, anti-fatigue           

• Neurocosmetics and Wellness
  Sub-themes may include: mind-skin connection, anti-stress, anti-inflammation, sensitivity

C&T Allē Awards 2026

• Finalist Shortlist with Descriptions          

Expert Opinions

• Longevity and Well Aging

JUNE

Bonus distribution (digital): Anti-aging Conference London*

Hot Topics

• Hair Shine and Gloss
  Sub-themes may include: gentle cleansing, repair, oils and silicones
• SPF and Sunscreens
  Sub-themes may include: mineral and organic, dispersion, sensory
• Advances in Equipment and Tech
  Sub-themes may include: benchtop tools for formulating and testing; pilot batch mixers, scales, etc.; facility hardware - fume hoods, ventilation, etc.; QA/QC instrumentation; digitization/AI integration, etc.

C&T Allē Awards 2026

• Winners Announcement

Expert Opinions

• Sun Protection

JULY/AUGUST

Image by Model Republic at Adobe Stock

Hot Topics

• Mindful Beauty
  Sub-themes may include: sustainable, ethical, anti-stress, emotional

• Biotechnology in Skin and Hair
  Sub-themes may include: ferments, recombinant proteins, exosomes           

C&T Allē Awards 2026

• Celebration Issue

Expert Opinions

• Biotech in Beauty

AUGUST (ONLINE ONLY)

Hot Topics

• Formulating Basics   
  Sub-themes may include: preservation, stability                                          

Expert Opinions

• Formulating Basics

SEPTEMBER

Bonus distribution (digital): IFSCC Congress Adelaide*

Hot Topics

• Clinical Skin Care
  Sub-themes may include; dermocosmetics, post-procedure care, science-backed solutions

• Slow Beauty
  Sub-themes may include: growth factors, hormonal balance, sleep support  

• Personalization
  Sub-themes may include: predictive AI, technology and software, epigenetics

Expert Opinions

• Derm-backed Beauty

• Tech-driven Personalization                     

OCTOBER

Bonus distribution: Beauty World Middle East Dubai (digital) and In-Cosmetics Asia (print)*

Image by smiltena at Adobe Stock

Hot Topics

• Color Cosmetics
  Sub-themes may include: pigment innovations, inclusive tones, multifunctional benefits
• Hair and Scalp Treatments
  Sub-themes may include: split end repair, sebum control, anti-dandruff solutions

Expert Opinions

• Color Cosmetic Innovations                                                                   

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Bonus distribution: SCC Annual Meeting LA*

Hot Topics

• Body Care
  Sub-themes may include: deodorants, moisturizers, fragrance, microbiome-friendly solutions
• Enhancing Safety
  Sub-themes may include: preservation, testing, transparency, regulation, alternative ingredients

Expert Opinions

• Safety in Beauty     Image by DusanJelicic at Adobe Stock        

DECEMBER (ONLINE ONLY)

Hot Topics

• Optimizing Formulas
  Sub-themes may include: leveraging synergies, improved stability

Expert Opinions

• Formulation Optimization                         

*All themes are subject to change per editorial discretion; all bonus distributions are tentative as of July 31, 2025