BETTER-FOR-YOU, SAVVY AND MULTI-SENSORY

BY KACEY CULLINEY

Wellness, next-generation tools and polysensoriality will define the future of beauty, according to key innovations spotted at Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2026.

Key Takeaways:

Beauty innovation is ramping up fast as industry leans into new technologies
Formulation focus is on sensorality and devices are optimising routines in hair and skin care
Wellness is defined as an over-arching movement set to define future innovation

More than 255,000 visitors attended the 57th edition of Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2026. The show, featuring more than 3,000 exhibitors from over 60 countries, showcased what's in store for beauty and personal care globally in the coming years. And there's a lot to come. Wellness is deeply rooting into beauty consciousness, sensorality is rising in importance and next-generation tools and devices are becoming integral to skin, body and hair care.

So, what exactly does the future hold? And what are some of the indicator innovations signalling the future direction industry is set to embark on?

We hit the show floor of Cosmo Perfumery & Cosmetics to find out. “It's clear that new territories of expressions are shaping beauty,” said Fernanda Pigatto, global partnerships director at BeautyStreams. “Beauty innovations are becoming more advanced than ever. We see innovations ranging from biotech-informed and longevity-boosting skin care and hair care, to future-facing devices as well as textures and formats that bring a new angle to sensorality,” Pigatto told attendees during a CosmoTalks presentation. BeautyStreams identified five key trends in its annual CosmoTrends 2026 Report, unveiled at the show. Press Reset acknowledges the push towards longevity; Biotech-y sees science and nature blur; Hair Ware spotlights next-generation tools and devices; So Cool looks at soothing and cooling concepts; and A Nice Touch sees a sharper focus on ultra-tactile experiences and sensorality.

Bengt Jacobsson, VP of the Bespoke Division at BeautyStreams, said these five trends are global and very much set to define future market developments in the coming months and years. Some trends, though, would develop faster than others, Jacobsson explained.

Polysensory Beauty

“Some of the trends will come out really, really fast–the ones that, I would say, are easy to understand for the consumer; easy to pick up,” the VP said. “The one that is picking up really, really quickly is this polysensory idea, because that's so global.”

And polysensory, he said, is the most exciting movement ahead for beauty. “In this world, that is so filled with digital techniques and AI and so on, we also have this need to connect with ourselves and to rediscover taste, smell, touch–everything. And I think that's really where beauty also can have a role to play which is really important. I really hope that companies understand they cannot only just talk about performance; you have to add something more now.” Polysensory innovations were certainly seen on the show floor, with a range of textural and visual innovations aimed at better engaging and delighting consumers. Pigatto said brands are experimenting with touch, for example, using textures that feel playful and bouncy and even developing products with memory technologies that transform upon application or self-level in the jar after use. “Texture is really becoming a new avenue of creativity for beauty brands,” she said.

Chinese firm Better Invention Company, for example, showcased a collagen spray that has a glowy and buttery lotion feel and Italian contract manufacturer ICC Cosmetics presented its highlighter product made with a 3D pearl network.

According to market research firm Mintel, sensory stimulation is now one of the primary drivers of cosmetic purchases–highlighting the level of opportunity for brands of all sizes looking to build reach or launch new products.

image BETTER-FOR-YOU, SAVVY AND MULTI-SENSORY

Smart Beauty

Tool and device innovation was also seen across the show floor, addressing a variety of needs, from skin and scalp health through to water quality and wrinkle reduction.

US-Korean specialist scalp care spa K-Headspa, for example, showcased a cold temperature and blue LED light tool designed to restore and improve hair health and UK firm Style Pro unveiled its five-in-one red light therapy device that can be worn five ways, including as a face mask or pushed up over the head to treat the scalp. Korean firm ClearDea presented its shower filter, designed to also incorporate skin or hair care pods, and Dutch company CureTape spotlighted its face tape which is worn overnight to stimulate blood flow and reduce wrinkles. There were also plenty of companies showcasing how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used for highly precise and personalised skin analysis at the show's dedicated Beauty Tech section.

But BeautyStreams said the most impressive advances being made in the tool and device category are in hair care.

And according to Pigatto growth potential is important here, with the global hair styling tools market expected to hit 66 billion USD by 2035. “The innovations we see at Cosmoprof Bologna this year show just how brands are really pushing innovations and the boundaries of what these devices can actually achieve,” she said. Hair dryers, for example, are becoming more compact with ultra-motors for faster drying and scalp devices are using micro-current technologies to stimulate circulation and hair growth.

Wellness Beauty

And overarching all of these trends, is the very clear and ongoing shift towards wellness and wellbeing.

Wellness, according to Yarden Horwitz, co-founder of US research firm Spate, is well and truly working its way into everyday consumer beeauty behaviours and rituals. And wellness tourism, Horwitz said, which used to be reserved for spa time and relaxation, is now being replaced by travel for diagnosis, procedures and treatments across skin, body and hair care.

Simone Marchetti, European editoral director at Vanity Fair and editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair Italia, said the stronger focus on longevity–which is now a global phenomenon–is also sharpening focus on wellness.

Plenty of companies at the show were working to tap into this longevity and wellness movement. Slovenian company Tosla Nutricosmetics, for example, showcased its liquid multivitamins targeting skin longevity and UK edible hair care brand HairGain spotlighted its vitamins and gummies designed to reactivate and prolong hair growth. A range of active serums, overnight face masks and day creams were also on show, with NAD+ boosters, antioxidants and more.

Many companies are also leaning on biotechnologies to innovative in this field for more precise actives, with lots seen around biomimetic design, according to Pigatto, including rebalancing serums, leave-in hair boosters and patches for problem skin.

Jacobsson added: “There's a shift towards more regenerative beauty and we also see that innovation today goes beyond traditional biology, and it's happening even more on a molecular level.”

COSMOPROF 2027

BOLOGNA, ITALY

FAIR DISTRICT

BETTER-FOR-YOU, SAVVY AND MULTI-SENSORY

Polysensory Beauty

Smart Beauty

Wellness Beauty

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BETTER-FOR-YOU, SAVVY AND MULTI-SENSORY

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Wellness Beauty

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