NEWS
US set to approve DSM sunscreen ingredient
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to approve the use of DSM-Firmenich’s Parsol Shield UV filter for use in sun care products. The agency said it is proposing
to add bemotrizinol – the USAN nonproprietary name - as a permitted active ingredient for use in sunscreens. Bemotrizinol has been approved
across much of the world as an active ingredient in sunscreen, but not in the US. The Swiss-Dutch company in
2024 filed an Over-the-Counter Monograph Order Request (OMOR) that the FDA adds bemotrizinol, at concentrations up to 6 per cent, as a new active ingredient in the OTC monograph for sunscreens. If approved, the FDA would
allow bemotrizinol to be used in sunscreen formulations without the need for additional pre-market approval.
If FDA concludes bemotrizinol
is generally recognized as safe and effective as a sunscreen active ingredient, the agency will issue a final order to add the ingredient to OTC Monograph M020. If approved, bemotrizinol would
“Based on the data reviewed
by the FDA, bemotrizinol provides protection against both ultraviolet A and B rays, has low levels of absorption through the skin into the body, and rarely causes skin irritation,” said the FDA. “If this action is finalized,
bemotrizinol will be an additional sunscreen active ingredient that the FDA considers to be generally recognized as safe and effective for use by adults and children six months of age and older, expanding consumer choice,” it added. The FDA is currently seeking public comments on this proposed order.
become the first new sunscreen active ingredient added to the US OTC sunscreen monograph since 1999.
The FDA admitted it has
“historically moved too slowly” in the area of sun care ingredients, “leaving Americans with fewer options than consumers abroad”. “We’re continuing to modernize
the regulation of sunscreen and other over-the-counter drug products,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. “Americans deserve timely
access to the best safe, effective, and consumer-friendly over-the- counter products available.”
Elementis acquires UK’s Alchemy Ingredients
Speciality chemicals maker Elementis has acquired fellow UK personal care specialist Alchemy Ingredients for $22m on a cash-free, debt-free basis. Alchemy develops rheology
modifier ingredients for the personal care industry across a range of cosmetics and skin care applications with forecasted 2025 revenue of around $6m. Based in Ascot with 20
employees, the English company’s products are natural functional ingredients that fully or partially replace synthetic raw materials in cosmetic formulations. Alchemy’s key technologies
revolve predominantly around oil gelling - with the Sucragel and Sapogel families of products - and water gelling (Clearthix and Sclerothix). Elementis’ personal care business manufactures natural and synthetic rheology modifiers to deliver premium product performance for personal care applications in skin care and cosmetics, as well as active ingredients for antiperspirants. Elementis said Alchemy is a
“strong fit” as it “brings exciting new products and technologies that are complementary to our portfolio,
Lubrizol to boost Spanish
fermentation Lubrizol is to invest $10m to expand fermentation production capacity fivefold at its manufacturing facility in Gavà, Spain. Gavà is a key site for its Life
Science Beauty business and was formerly the Lipotec headquarters after Lubrizol acquired it in 2012. The US company said the
investment reflects a commitment to advancing sustainable innovation through biotechnology. “By expanding our fermentation
capacity, we are not only supporting the growth of high-performance active ingredients but also reinforcing our role as a strategic partner in delivering science- backed, environmentally responsible solutions,” said Bernardo Medeiros, Vice President, Lubrizol Life Sciences. Lubrizol has been a pioneer in
biotechnology since 2001, building a robust, science-driven platform that integrates advanced fermentation and bioprocessing technologies. Its biotech platform is
engineered for sustainability from the ground up, with processes designed to avoid biodiversity loss and minimize environmental impact while ensuring batch-to- batch consistency and optimal performance. Lubrizol’s biotechnology
further enhancing our expertise in formulation solutions and rheology, and which are highly synergistic with our hectorite products. “These will help to create new
sensory profiles and textures to enhance the Group’s cosmetic and skin care product range,” said a spokeswoman.
BASF x IFF collaboration to drive next-gen enzymes, polymers The joint effort will focus on
BASF and IFF have formed a strategic collaboration to drive innovation in enzymes and polymers for personal care. The tie-up aims to accelerate
the development of IFF’s Designed Enzymatic Biomaterials technology platform and create next-generation enzyme technologies.
www.personalcaremagazine.com
innovative enzyme systems and biobased polymers, enabling customers to achieve superior performance while reducing resource consumption. Both companies will maintain independent operations and competitive positioning, while leveraging complementary strengths
approach includes the use of GMO-free, non-pathogenic microorganisms, sourcing strains without harvesting from nature, and relying on renewable carbon sources. The production process is
designed to generate minimal waste and deliver ingredients with a biodegradable, non-toxic profile. Many of these ingredients
have been approved according to COSMOS standards.
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strategically significant step for both companies,” said Michael Heinz, member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF. “By combining our research
to accelerate innovation and expand choices for customers worldwide. “This partnership marks a
and development expertise, we are creating the foundation to bring large-scale innovative solutions to market faster for our customers,” he added.
January 2026 PERSONAL CARE MAGAZINE
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