Beauty’s biggest trade show, with over 255,000 visitors from across the globe, Cosmoprof Bologna reaffirmed its place as the industry’s ultimate meeting point for inspiration, innovation, and connection. From standout packaging trends to cutting-edge formulations and future-facing brand experiences, here’s what caught our eye – and what it means for the future of beauty.

A clear trend at Cosmoprof Bologna was the rise of high-end packaging that builds the method of application into the product itself. Think Gua Sha-style applicators seamlessly integrated into serum bottles or chic, sculptural scoops that turn daily skincare into a sensorial ritual.

These elegant, functional touches not only enhance the user experience but also reflect a growing desire for intuitive, design-led beauty moments that feel as good as they look.

Where we expect to see this trend continue is through acknowledgement that these advancements not only support enhanced hygiene and prevention of cross contamination (whilst looking aesthetically pleasing) – they can also make application of product easier for those with disabilities or impaired function.

Marrying form and function, these thoughtfully crafted applicators align with the Beauty Harmonist’s pursuit of curated elegance, bringing intentional beauty not just to the skin, but to every moment of the ritual.

A standout emerging space at Cosmoprof was Porta-Beauty – a growing category of products designed for life on the go. Brands are creating smaller, travel-friendly, ultra-portable formats that are not only practical but designed to fit seamlessly into daily environments.

Think pocket-sized balms, palm-fitting fragrances, or skincare sticks that look as good on your desk as in your bag. These compact formats are stylish, functional, and intuitive – designed for life on the move.

This marries closely with the accelerated growth of products once considered basics but have since become luxurious handbag essentials – hand sanitisers. When this comes together with the beloved bag charm movement, it is a powerful trend force to be reckoned with. 

Porta-Beauty is an incremental evolution designed for the Routine Ritualist: reliable, familiar care routines made effortlessly mobile, allowing them to maintain their habits, wherever life takes them.

A new wave of advanced delivery systems is transforming how skincare works – and where it’s used. From encapsulated actives and micro-needle-infused creams to cutting-edge at-home tools like LED masks and micro-needling devices, brands are bringing clinical-level innovation into the consumer’s bathroom.

We were excited by Cica Reedle™ technology, which features 95,000ppm of ultra-fine microneedles – microneedles that are 14 times smaller than pores of the skin – which help to ensure optimal absorption. These micro-needles enable active ingredients to reach deep within the skin, enhancing their effectiveness.

We could barely turn a corner at Cosmoprof without spotting capsule skincare. Single doses delivered per capsule leave the user feeling assured they’re applying the correct dose per use, precision-engineered and a strong contributor to the efficacy consumers are seeking as a priority today. 

These technologies offer deeper absorption, enhanced efficacy, and targeted results – making beauty tech mainstream with solutions built for ease, efficiency, and impact.

For the Tech Voyager, beauty is a frontier of innovation. These advanced delivery systems bring clinical-level precision and performance to their everyday routine, satisfying their appetite for breakthrough technology and tangible results.

From foundations “powered by AI” to skincare said to be “AI-personalised,” claims are often vague, with little clarity around how AI genuinely influences product development or user experience. Is it shade matching? Ingredient optimisation? Consumer data analysis? Often, the answer is unclear.

AI holds real potential for beauty, from hyper-personalised marketing to micro-targeted formulations. Yet, true value lies in transparency: showing consumers how data and algorithms shape their experience. Brands that clearly articulate AI’s role – from R&D to recommendation – will build trust, moving beyond buzzwords to meaningful, tech-enabled beauty solutions.

As consumers become more tech-savvy, surface-level AI claims will face increasing scrutiny. As with clean beauty and sustainability, AI must now be backed by substance. Authenticity and clarity will win.

Tech Voyagers seek depth, not gimmicks. Transparent AI-powered solutions that clearly demonstrate performance and personalisation satisfy their inquisitive nature and their demand for high-tech efficacy.

Dual formulations stood out, with serums showcasing two distinct phases – often in sleek, dual-chamber packaging. It’s both a functional innovation and a bold visual cue.

From oil-water blends to freshly mixed formulas, this dual-chamber packaging is redefining skincare, keeping reactive ingredients separate for optimal freshness and potency. Beyond its sleek design, this innovation ensures tailored, effective results while elevating user experience. 

A strong example is Elroel’s Jeju-certified serum mists, which blend oil and water layers for fresh, balanced hydration. Shaking emulsifies the layers, activating island-grown botanicals like camellia, canola, and green tea. The oil seals in moisture while the water refreshes, delivering lightweight nourishment. Each spray ensures potent, stable, and makeup-friendly skincare throughout the day.

By combining function with visual appeal, brands meet growing consumer demand for high-performance, aesthetically driven solutions – and the packaging plays a vital role in telling that story.

Savvy Saver consumers value multi-functional products that work harder for their money. Dual formulations meet this need, offering visible efficacy and economical skincare solutions in one smart design.

Truly sustainable solutions were surprisingly sparse. Sustainability isn’t the headline trend it once was. Innovation, aesthetics, and viral potential seem to be dominating attention.

But we’ll always champion those pushing for better – from waterless formats and refill systems to biodegradable materials and circular thinking. These ideas are still out there – waiting for the spotlight to return.

Eco Guardian consumers value brands that hold the line on sustainability, continuing to innovate with refillable, biodegradable, and water-saving formats, even when attention shifts elsewhere.

SPF is stepping into a new era of ease. Stick formulations are emerging as a go-to for on-the-go protection.

Sleek, solid-format sunscreens offer quick, mess-free application – perfect for travel, touch-ups, or layering over makeup. Portable, practical, and increasingly stylish, they’re removing the barriers to consistent SPF use.

For the Wellness Trailblazer attitude, health is holistic – and protection is paramount. Stick SPFs offer mindful, mess-free sun care, supporting serene daily rituals and an active, wellbeing-focused lifestyle.

Dupes are nothing new, but at Cosmoprof this year, their audacity stood out. Many products were near carbon copies of market leaders – from packaging to naming conventions.

This highlights a challenge for brands using generic packaging: without unique design, it’s easy to be mimicked. In a market where visual identity is everything, investing in ownable design has never been more important.

For the Savvy Saver, dupes offer a smart way to enjoy the prestige of market leaders without the premium price tag. Visual and formulaic similarities give them the confidence to choose value over brand name.

Beauty’s love affair with food was front and centre – both in scent and design. From whipped, frosting-like textures to smoothie-inspired packaging and gourmand scents like pistachio, vanilla, and strawberry milk, products are crafted to look, smell, and feel like a treat.

Fuelled by TikTok’s visual culture, this trend taps into nostalgia, comfort, and shareability – perfect for a generation shopping with their eyes (and noses) first.

For the Track & Trend consumer, beauty that looks and smells like a treat is irresistible – shareable, playful, and made for the social spotlight. Fuelled by TikTok and social media buzz, indulgent, food-inspired beauty taps straight into the Track & Trend mindset: visual-first, trend-led, and too good to miss.

With limited shelf space and endless scrolling, brands are under pressure to make an instant impact.

We saw a focus on disruptive shapes and unexpected structures – asymmetrical bottles, stackable formats, sculptural silhouettes – all breaking the visual monotony. It’s not just about looking different, but feeling different. Distinct design is now a smart, stylish investment in brand recall.

For the Beauty Harmonist, every surface is a canvas for beauty. Sculptural silhouettes and striking shapes elevate not only the product but the entire environment, transforming daily use into an artful display of design and intention.