Having started out in the B2B world of beauty, I know my way around a trade show – but even so, nothing prepared me for the sheer scale of Cosmoprof Worldwide 2026, which was hosted in Bologna, Italy, from 26 to 29 March.
Like many in the beauty industry, I have spent the past few days musing about emerging trends spotted across the four-day event, only to find myself realising many of the key themes found were not necessarily new, but rather new-era iterations of trends long known and loved.
These trends are levelling up as beauty brands from across the globe look at what has been working, and how to make it work better than ever before, introducing a number of new launches that springboard off the trends of the past to enter their next chapter.
Readers following innovation across beauty and personal care may want to explore the Cosmetics Business Innovation Awards — a new programme spotlighting the technologies and ideas shaping the future of the industry. Entries open now!
These are the 5 beauty trends getting major upgrades in 2026
1. Tea time
Israeli hair care brand Redefine’s range of products are infused with Matcha
While different types of tea have long been key natural ingredients in beauty creations, Cosmoprof Worldwide allowed a stage for next-generation formulas across every category.
Korean brand Teabless offers perfumed body washes, scrubs and lotions designed to be layered, each formulated with different types of teas – from woody purple tea and fruity oolong, to earthy matcha.
Matcha, namely, has taken the beauty world by storm alongside its recent rise to become a first favourite drink-of-choice from Gen Z.
Not yet a Subscriber?
This is a small extract of the full article which is available ONLY to premium content subscribers. Click below to get premium content on Cosmetics Business.
Subscribe now Already a subscriber? Sign in here.