Professionals from across the industry came together in New York City for the 2026 C&T Allē Awards Luncheon on May 18, 2026. There may have been an early-summer heatwave beginning in the city, but that didn’t stop the celebration and excitement for the technologies and innovations who rose to the occasion. In total, 55 winners were chosen in categories spanning the industry, including active ingredients, ingredient blends, finished formulas and tests and tools.
Presented by C&T and parent company Allured Business Media, the Allēs bring behind-the-scenes ingenuity in cosmetics and personal care R&D into the spotlight. This month, we celebrate the winners and share feedback from the judges – plus, the winners themselves share reactions and praise for their innovations and teams.
Submissions for the 2027 C&T Allē Awards are now open.
Active Ingredients
Acne/Compromised Skin: Pureblome by Triplobiome Technology, Provital
“Winning an Allē Award is an incredible honor and meaningful recognition of our team's passion for scientific innovation. It celebrates the dedication of our researchers and collaborators who strive to transform cutting-edge science into ingredients that address real consumer needs. We are grateful to be recognized by our industry peers and proud that Pureblome has been acknowledged for both its scientific excellence and commercial impact.”
Anti-aging: Aethelis Granata ExoCell, Naolys
“While exosomes have recently become one of the most talked-about topics in cosmetics, our approach has always been to move beyond the buzz. Through collaborations with academic partners, we chose to explore the science of plant exosomes before translating it into cosmetic innovation. This award is not only a recognition of a product, but also of a long-term commitment to advancing knowledge in an emerging field.”
Bath, Body & Hygiene: Rice Bran Ferment, Ichimaru Pharcos Co., Ltd
“We believe that the technology recognized with this award can be applied to natural materials other than rice bran. Going forward, we plan to begin developing materials that combine various natural scrubs with fermentation. We believe that inner beauty is just as important as outer beauty.”
Hair/Scalp Treatment: Danderase, Givaudan Active Beauty
“A new anti-dandruff ‘interabiome’ active mixture shown to lower Malassezia growth as well as improved overall scalp health made from an upcycled, sustainable plant source. Good to see a microbiome balancing approach being used for materials selection and efficacy,” one judge noted.
Skin Care: Salsphere Even Skin, Salvona Technologies LLC
“Receiving this honor confirms that our work is not only innovative but also relevant, effective and appreciated by the scientific and product development communities. It reinforces our belief that delivery technology is no longer secondary to formulation—it is central to performance. This recognition also belongs to our team, our partners and our customers who continue to trust Salvona to solve some of the industry’s most difficult formulation challenges.”
Nutricosmetic: Lumenato, LycoRed
“Ingestible beauty has become a key player in personal care and ingredients that are supported by robust science are leading the charge in the future of skin health. Lumenato is a standout solution among next generation beauty-from-within ingredients. It supports skin from the inside out and promotes skin radiance and resilience by working with the body’s natural biological systems.”
Sun Protection: Ferulishield Hemp, Midwest Bioprocessing Center
“The novelty of this ingredient lies in improving the formulation characteristics of ferulic acid by enhancing solubility, skin penetration and photostability while delivering natural, biodegradable SPF-boosting effects,” one judge commented.
Wellness: Primacoll, Geltor
“Innovative from an FDA-clearance perspective with broad category applications. I like their sustainability positioning and efficacy as well,” one judge said.
Base Ingredients
Acne/Compromised Skin: Gelee Ice Smoothing Serum Stick, Presperse
“[This product] is a standout innovation that merges a unique, ‘bouncy’ sensorial experience with a highly convenient, on-the-go format for sensitive skin. By utilizing 100% bio-based GreenDiol alongside high-potency niacinamide, it delivers significant barrier-strengthening and anti-inflammatory benefits in a stable, water-conscious delivery system,” noted one judge.
Anti-Aging: Peauvita, Core Biogenesis
“Winning an Allē Award is an incredible validation for our entire team because it recognizes not only a new ingredient, but a new direction for the industry. Peauvita was built on the belief that skincare should move beyond surface-level cosmetics toward measurable biology. Seeing our plant-produced biomimetic growth factor platform recognized by the industry is extremely meaningful for our scientists, engineers, and commercial team.”
Color Cosmetic: Harmonie Natuvel Gel, Momentive
“Winning an Allē Award is a strong recognition of our team’s commitment to advancing innovation without compromising performance. It validates years of research and collaboration to bring a truly differentiated solution to market. For our team, it is especially rewarding to see that our work in green chemistry and naturally derived materials are recognised by the industry."
Hair and Scalp Care: Rheance D50, Evonik
“Winning two prestigious Allē Awards is a tremendous honor for our team and a testament to our dedication to excellence and innovation in the Cosmetics Industry. It validates our commitment to developing sustainable, high-performance solutions that meet evolving consumer needs. These awards inspire us to continue pushing boundaries and reaffirm our role as a trusted partner in creating advanced cosmetic ingredients and solutions.”
Hair and Scalp Treatment: ELEVANCE ULTRA, Advancion
“For Advancion, ELEVANCE ULTRA represents years of focused development aimed at delivering a multifunctional additive/neutralizer that helps cosmetic chemists address evolving formulation challenges while enhancing overall product performance. What makes this recognition especially rewarding is that it validates not only the ingredient itself, but also the collaboration and expertise behind it — from research and applications development to regulatory, commercial, and customer support teams. Ultimately, the award reinforces our commitment to developing innovative solutions that help formulators create the next generation of high-performance personal care products.”
Skin Care: Mindera, Symrise A.G.
“Winning the Allē Award is a profound validation of what our team has believed for years: reliable performance does not have to come with compromise. We are incredibly proud of what the team has achieved by placing performance-first innovation at the heart of sustainability. The award also recognizes the deeply cross-collaborative effort behind Mindera, powered by a strong innovation backbone. More broadly, this journey reflects the strength of our innovation engine, transforming scientific complexity into a breakthrough solution for the industry.”
Sun Protection: Aristoflex Sun, Clariant
"Winning in this category specifically is a real achievement. There is a renewed focus on innovation in the Sun Protection category, especially in the United States, and this product aligns with where the market is headed. Consumers have become more concerned with skin health and the prevention of damage to their skin. As a result of this, daily sun wear is rising, and sunscreens are becoming more a part of the average consumers’ daily routines. Achieving appealing textures that make wearing sunscreens daily desirable, creates a pocket of opportunity for Aristoflex SUN to shine. With this product, you can create luxurious, light-feeling sunscreens and achieve boosted SPF efficacy in formulation."
Wellness: Pickmulse, Lucas Meyer Cosmetics by Clariant
“This is a clean, quinoa-based technology and I see it as a novel approach. It is powder-based, which gives it an advantage,” said one judge.
Ingredient Blends
Anti-aging: VOL.U.LIFT GLP-1 4D Skin Rebound Complex, VOL.U.LIFT powered by Image Skincare
“Innovation has always been at the core of IMAGE Skincare, so this recognition motivates us to continue pushing boundaries. We are closely monitoring emerging consumer trends, advances in ingredient technology, and evolving skin health needs to ensure we remain at the forefront of the industry. Our focus will continue to be on developing clinically informed, results-driven solutions that combine cutting-edge science with long-term skin benefits.”
Color Cosmetics: Isolan DisperPlus, Evonik
“We believe the next major breakthrough will revolve around the integration of biotechnology and AI-driven formulation design. These advancements will enable the creation of hyper-personalized cosmetic products tailored to individual skin and hair profiles while maintaining sustainability. Innovations in biodegradable and bioengineered ingredients will also play a pivotal role in reducing the environmental footprint of cosmetic products, shaping a more responsible and forward-thinking industry.”
Hair/Scalp Care: AC Curezyme, Active Concepts and Curie Co.
“Winning a C&T Allē Award is an incredible honor for the Active Concepts and Curie Co Team because it reflects the passion, creativity, and scientific rigor that went into developing AC Curezyme. This recognition validates our belief that the future of hair care lies in multifunctional technologies that not only deliver high performance but also align with evolving consumer needs and unique formulation demands. For us, this award represents more than a product achievement, but a successful collaboration. AC Curezyme was developed through strong work between Active Concepts and Curie Co., combining expertise in biotechnology, protein science, and cosmetic innovation to create something truly differentiated for the industry.”
Hair/Scalp Treatment: 369Lab Lipid Bond, Moonshot Biotech, Singapore
“The efficacy in fiber penetration, surface cuticle smoothing and fiber break strength, all in bleach-damaged hair, suggest this is a novel solution for restoring damaged hair, which is a major consumer need,” one judge noted.
Skin Care: Citrolatum P, P2 Science
“Interesting and valuable chemistry, especially with essential fatty acids to help recomplement the lipidic components of the skin barrier, with the potential to deliver more benefits to the skin than just occlusivity,” said one judge.
Sun Protection: LexFeel SunLight MB, Inolex
“Winning an Allē Award is incredibly meaningful because it recognizes not just a single idea, but the collaboration, dedication, and creativity of our entire team. It confirms that the work we’re doing truly resonates with the future of the market. For us, it’s a moment of pride and motivation, proving that innovation rooted in customer needs makes a difference.”
Finished Formulas
Indie Formula, Acne/Compromised Skin: the Manuka Ritual Blemish Kit, Rejencia
“Overall, this is a very interesting non-prescription solution for consumers seeking relief from persistent acne. I found the active ingredient derived from the manuka tree to be novel and interesting and had a lot of storytelling potential,” one judge commented.
Indie Formula, Anti-Aging: Bakuchiol Super Elixir Facial Oil, San Margo
“Winning a C&T Allē Award has been incredibly meaningful because these awards recognize formulation quality, innovation and scientific rigor - areas we care deeply about as a brand. As a self-funded independent company from New Zealand, being recognized alongside globally established beauty brands is both humbling and validating. It reinforces that thoughtful, high-performance products developed with integrity can compete on an international stage. Our focus is continuing to scale San Margo thoughtfully across both direct-to- consumer and wholesale channels while maintaining the integrity of the brand.”
Indie Formula, Bath, Body & Hygiene: Glorioso Botanical Intimate Oil, San Margo
“Our focus is continuing to scale San Margo thoughtfully across both direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels while maintaining the integrity of the brand. We plan to continue building a complete bathroom and wellness ecosystem while investing in clinically backed formulations, testing and international growth opportunities. We are also preparing for additional retail partnerships and trade events across Australia and New Zealand.”
Indie Formula Hair/Scalp Care: Scalp Reset Shampoo, Divi Official
“The HRIPT focusing on sensitive skin individuals is interesting as it emphasizes the formula’s gentle nature,” stated one judge.
Indie Formula, Hair/Scalp Treatment: Bomme Revitalizing Scalp Toner & Shampoo, Bomme Corporation
“We believe the future of hair care is systems-based and biology-driven. Our approach combines clinically studied botanical antioxidants, daily scalp care and internal nutritional support to address the scalp environment from multiple angles. Rather than focusing only on cosmetic appearance, we focus on supporting the conditions that influence long-term scalp and hair health.”
Indie Formula, Nutricosmetic: Bomme Root Renewal Supplements, Bomme Corporation
“This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes from independent evaluation within the cosmetic science community. Bomme was built around the belief that scalp health should be approached as a long-term biological system — not through isolated products or quick fixes. Having both our topical formulations and nutricosmetic approach recognized validates the conviction behind building a scalp-first system grounded in research, consistency, and long-term care.”
Indie Formula, Skin Care: Dr. Pong ActiveIN Auto-Booster Serum Series, Dr. Pong Skin Research Lab Co., Ltd.
“Winning an Allē Award places Thai scientists firmly on the global stage alongside multinational giants. Historically, our region has been viewed primarily as a consumer market driven by strong marketing. This win completely rewrites that narrative, proving we are world-class tech creators and innovators. It is the ultimate validation of our intense, long-term investment in R&D.”
Indie Formula, Sun Protection: Tavi Cica RES-Q10 AdapTint Sun Shield SPF 50 PA++++ Chameleon-like Color-changing Sunscreen, PT Paragon Technology and Innovation
“Awards like this encourage the industry to continue raising the bar for innovation. Consumers today expect products that combine efficacy, comfort, and relevance to their lifestyles. By recognizing products that successfully meet these expectations, the industry is encouraged to invest in meaningful innovations that create better experiences for consumers.”
Indie Formula, Wellness: XOMD Skincare, XOMD Skincare
“Winning an Allē Award is deeply meaningful because it validates a belief that has guided our work from the beginning: skincare should do more than improve skin, it should improve lives. Our team has spent years challenging conventional thinking and investing in rigorous science to better understand the connection between skin quality, confidence, social perception, and overall well-being. This recognition belongs to the scientists, physicians, and patients who believe that skincare could be measured by more than wrinkle counts and hydration scores.”
Mass Formula, Acne/Compromised Skin: Good Molecules 10% Azelaic Acid Treatment, Good Molecules, LLC
“Good Molecules was built on the idea that effective, science-backed skincare shouldn't require a premium price tag. Winning the Allē Award validates that rigorous formulation science and accessibility can coexist. This recognition from the C&T community for both of our submissions tells us that the industry values our mission, too.”
Mass Formula, Anti-aging: GF 15% Solution (The Ordinary), DECIEM
“Winning an Allē Award is a great source of pride for our team! It validates our commitment to making high-quality, science-led skincare more accessible, particularly by bringing growth factors into a more approachable price point and format. For us, this recognition also reinforces our broader mission: to not only deliver efficacious formulations, but to empower consumers with clear, transparent information about the ingredients and science behind their skincare choices. It’s this combination of accessibility, performance and education that continues to drive our work forward.”
Mass Formula, Bath, Body & Hygiene: Hand + Body Powder Wash (LOoPHA), DECIEM
“We developed this product with the modern consumer in mind. This innovation reimagines what a body cleanser can be through a powder-based format designed for ease of use, a travel-ready solution, and a distinctive sensory experience. We also explored unconventional engineering approaches, including spray-drying technology to integrate fragrance in a stable and versatile way. Together, these elements demonstrate how format innovation can reshape everyday cleansing routines.”
Mass Formula, Color Cosmetic: Wardah Moist Dew Tint, Paragon Technology and Innovation
“Winning this award is a proud moment for our team and a meaningful recognition of the hard work behind Wardah Moist Dew Tint. It validates our commitment to understanding consumer needs and transforming those insights into a product that delivers both performance and comfort. More importantly, it reminds us that successful innovation is always the result of strong collaboration across multiple functions.”
Mass Formula, Skin Care: Azarine Invisipore Primer Sunscreen SPF 50 PA ++++, PT. Wahana Kosmetika Indonesia
“One benefit that appears to be unique to this formula is that it does not leave a cast on darker skin, a highly valued attribute,” said one judge.
Mass Formula, Sun Protection: Wardah Active Protection Sunscreen Serum, Paragon Technology and Innovation
“This achievement motivates us to keep innovating. Moving forward, we will continue exploring new technologies, materials, and consumer insights to develop products that offer even greater performance and user satisfaction. We also aim to strengthen collaboration across teams to bring future innovations to the market more effectively.”
Prestige Formula, Acne/Compromised Skin: Ivapur Aknebiome Serum, Ivatherm
“For over two decades, we have been committed to bridging rigorous dermatological science with the unique benefits of Romanian thermal spring water. Aknebiom Serum represents years of microbiome research, clinical collaboration, and formulation expertise, so to be recognized by the cosmetic science community at this level means everything. It validates our belief that effective, evidence-based skincare can also be gentle, microbiome-respectful and accessible. This award belongs to every scientist, dermatologist, and researcher who contributed to its development.”
Prestige Formula, Anti-aging: Nectar - Neuroglow, Ayuna
“As an independent, founder-led company, this award reinforces our belief that thoughtful innovation has a place alongside larger industry players and celebrates the collaborators, scientists and partners who share our vision of a more conscious, human approach to beauty. Beyond the recognition itself, it encourages us to continue challenging conventions and to remain faithful to a simple belief: beauty should contribute to wellbeing, confidence and quality of life.”
Prestige Formula, Hair/Scalp Care: Nama Comforting Shampoo for Dry & Sensitive Skin, Nama Cosmetics
“I like that the clinical approach mirrors more of a skincare approach with a focus on TEWL, redness reduction and barrier support. That is not typical for hair care,” commented one judge.
Prestige Formula, Skin Care: Nectar Lip & Eye, Ayuna
“Our focus is on cosmetic science and broader health concepts, exploring new pathways related to well-aging, skin-brain communication, emotional wellbeing and adaptive biology. We are excited by the potential of next-generation ferments, longevity-related pathways and botanical biotechnologies that may redefine healthy skin aging. Through molecules like spermidine and other bio-inspired approaches, we seek to support the skin’s natural mechanisms of adaptation, renewal and repair.”
Prestige Formula, Sun Protection: RAD Shield Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, Environ
“By prioritizing daily compliance and synergy with active ingredients, this product provides a stable and efficacious solution for long-term skin protection and safety,” said one judge.
Prestige Formula, Wellness: Intimate 3-in-1 Lubrication of Water, Bruxa Pty Ltd.
“At BRUXA, we are a small independent Australian brand that set out to challenge the idea that intimate care should be hidden away, treated as an afterthought, or developed to a lower standard than advanced skincare. To have our work acknowledged on a global stage validates years of research, formulation development, and a commitment to raising expectations within the category. For our team, it is a recognition of the diverse expertise that sits behind BRUXA. From chemistry and naturopathy to clinical sexology and design, this award validates the power of bringing different disciplines together to reimagine what intimate care can be.”
Prototype/Chasis
Acne/Compromised Skin: Day Mode Hero Concealer SPF 50+, Solésence
“This win is a testament to our company’s innovation, scientific rigor, and cross-functional collaboration with our brand partners that drives everything we do. To have Day Mode Hero Concealer SPF 50+ recognized by industry peers validates that mission and demonstrates the impact that breakthrough technologies can have when translated into products that address evolving consumer needs.”
Anti-aging: Day Mode Hero Concealer SPF 50+, Solésence
“Day Mode Hero Concealer SPF 50+ exemplifies how innovation can blur traditional category lines and create entirely new opportunities within beauty. Anti-aging, color cosmetics, and compromised skin have historically been treated as distinct consumer needs, yet our product successfully addresses all three.”
Bath, Body & Hygiene: Caramelt Lollipop, Gattefossé
“It’s a real moment of pride for us, especially as it was our first time participating. This award reflects the way we approach formulation at Gattefossé, where creativity meets deep technical know-how. Caramelt Lollipop started as a bold idea and bringing it to life required a lot of collaboration and problem-solving. Seeing it recognized like this is incredibly rewarding for the entire team, and it definitely motivates us to push even further and develop even more surprising textures in the future.”
Color Cosmetic: Day Mode Hero Concealer SPF 50+, Solésence
“By leveraging three Solésence technologies, globally patented Kleair alongside patented WHSPR and proprietary Chromalüm, Day Mode’s technology stack works in synergy to deliver skin healing, environmental protection, and high-performance coverage in a daily use complexion product.”
Hair/Scalp Care: Dualité Molécul’hair, Curie Co., P2 Science, Capsum
“This dual-phase formulation is very interesting. It allows for different customization pathways based on the needs of the end user,” said one judge.
Hair/Scalp Treatment: Scalp Oil, The INCI Lab, Ltd
“The efficacy studies for ECMT-154 were very interesting. I like the beneficial aspect when it comes to the anti-microbial properties,” commented one judge.
Skin Care: Dermalsync, Etichub
"As an academic spin-off of the University of Pavia, we have always believed that the most meaningful innovation starts with science. This award validates years of research, confirming that a data-driven approach to cosmetic innovation can have a global impact. It is not only a milestone for Dermalsync, but also recognition of our vision: transforming scientific knowledge into technologies that create real value for the cosmetic industry."
Sun Protection: Fast Flow Sun Fluid SPF 50, Inolex
“The work is never done! Our next steps focus on continuing to refine and expand the innovation based on real-world feedback, while looking for new ways to build on its success. We’re committed to staying close to our customers and evolving alongside their needs as the market continues.”
Wellness: Amazonian Butter to Oil, Vantage Specialty Chemicals
“The next breakthrough in beauty is likely to be closed-loop personalization and adaptive recommendations. It will have brands moving beyond general product recommendations toward systems that measure skin or scalp condition, interpret underlying drivers, recommend targeted solutions, and adapt over time. This movement will tie together AI, biomarkers, imaging, and agile formulation to help consumers understand what their skin or scalp needs before concerns become more visible and address these needs almost immediately.”
Test Method/Tool/Devices
Digital Technology, Industry User: GreenChemFinder, The Green Chemist
“Winning this award means the world to me — not just as recognition, but as validation that a niche, specialist platform built on deep scientific principles can compete and win in a space increasingly crowded with general- purpose tools. GreenChemFinder was built out of a genuine frustration I experienced as a formulator: the lack of reliable, science-backed, sustainability-focused ingredient intelligence. To have that work recognized by Cosmetics & Toiletries, a publication I’ve read and respected throughout my entire career, is genuinely moving. As a sole founder, my team includes the formulators and suppliers who trusted the platform early — this award belongs to them too.”
Test Method: Standardized Scoring Method to Assess White Cast of Mineral Sunscreens and Enhance User Compliance Across Skin Tones, Good Molecules LLC
"Our validated scoring system combines objective colorimetry with real consumer perception across diverse skin tones, giving the industry a standardized benchmark for formulating sunscreens people will actually wear.”
Cosmetic Beauty Device: Mirae 4-in-1 LED Face Mask, Shiny Brands Group Co.
“Our next step is to continue refining technologies that make advanced skincare more effective and intuitive. Through ongoing innovation, we hope to save time for today’s busy lifestyles and make beauty feel effortless, so consumers can enjoy fast-acting skincare with greater ease and efficiency. MIRAE’s core mission is to bring medical-aesthetic-level care into the home, while maintaining effectiveness, convenience, and comfort.”
