Clariant expands beauty portfolio with vegan polydeoxyribonucleotides 

CHINA – Clariant’s Lucas Meyer Cosmetics division has introduced AlgaSurge, which made a significant launch at PCHi 2026 with innovative vegan ingredients and portfolio expansions targeted at advanced skin care solutions. 

AlgaSurge, a microalgae-based, highly purified sulfated polysaccharide hydrogel positioned as a vegan alternative to polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN) and superior to hyaluronic acid (HA) for skin renewal. 

Clinical trials with 90 participants showed that AlgaSurge at 1% outperformed 1% HA and placebo, delivering up to 34% greater skin radiance and dewiness, 67% greater wrinkle reduction, and 57% greater plumpness after 28 days. 

Julia Kang, China marketing manager, stated, “For all our clinical studies, we have outperformed the HA group.”

 “The ingredient demonstrates visible benefits after one use and can be used to help to boost skin radiance, skin hydration, skin barrier, and reduce wrinkles.”

Meanwhile, Clariant unveiled Plantasens Emulsifier HP 49, an oil-in-water system derived from four stearic acid components that creates liquid crystal structures for exceptional stability with up to 30% oil phases. 

This ingredient bolsters skin barrier protection, supplies moisturizing lipids, enhances hydration and elasticity, and delivers luxurious sensory profiles via quick emulsion release. 

It aligns with rising consumer demands for premium textures in everyday skin care formulations.

Aristoflex SUN, a new rheology modifier, elevates sun care products to skincare-like sensory standards while amplifying UV protection. Formulations with 0.5% of the ingredient achieved a 75% SPF boost, raising protection from SPF 30 to 52.5. 

Sophia Kim, global marketing manager for Skin Care at Clariant, said, “Both Plantasens Emulsifier HP 49 and Aristoflex SUN demonstrate how we’re elevating everyday skin care by combining proven efficacy with sensory excellence.” 

“Whether it’s reinforcing the skin barrier function with immediate moisturization or transforming sun protection into a luxurious experience, we’re empowering brands to develop products that offer tangible benefits consumers can see and feel.”

In a similar move, Dow Chemical unveiled new active ingredients and received recognition for its innovative resin gum technology at PCHi 2026 in Hangzhou, China (March 18-20). 

The company launched Dowsil 8190 Oil Gellant, a 100% silicone polyamide copolymer available as white to off-white flakes, designed to thicken silicone and organic oil phases into hard or soft gels for colour cosmetics and hair care. 

This versatile ingredient offers formulators unique flexibility, delivering benefits such as rub-off resistance, enhanced texture, thickening, rheology control, frizz reduction, curl retention, and reduced friction.

The launch adds on to Dow’s Dowsil FC-5012 ID resin ingredient, introduced last year at In-cosmetics Asia 2025 in Bangkok, which earned an award at PCHi for its exceptional long-wear performance, superior sebum and water repellency, and broad formulation versatility at 70% active concentration. 

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