The cosmetic product remains, above all, an object of pleasure, a means of enjoying a positive sensory experience. Texture, fragrance, and appearance are crafted with ever greater finesse and coherence with the product concept. Formulations are becoming more refined by integrating ultra-sensory ingredients and transformation textures. Formulation expertise is enriched, particularly with the aid of AI, to market increasingly sophisticated products designed to awaken our senses.
The ultimate goal is to create desirability and turn it into addiction. The choice available to laboratories depends in part on the supply of raw materials. Many suppliers offer ingredients with a multi-sensory purpose, whether they are materials or fragrances.
The power of perfume as an evocative reference
Perfumes do more than just offer a pleasant scent; they tell a story, stirring our memories and emotions. The use of food notes is becoming widespread to build consumer loyalty. Following this trend, through cosmetics, individuals can rediscover familiar notes already savoured during tasting experiences, such as milky matcha, coffee, mocha or spices with saffron and its warm, sweet notes.
Poudre Matcha, the latest fragrance in Kenzo’s Memori collection, Black Opium Extrême, or Black Opium Noir, by Yves Saint Laurent, as well as Croissant Café, or Culot Thé, by the young French brand Versatile, perfectly illustrate the effectiveness of these notes that tap into our deep-seated memories.
Evolving textures, praised pleasures
A cream that transforms into an oil, an oil that turns into milk upon contact with water, an oil balm, a foam into oil, or conversely an oil into foam… all these possibilities join the dance of textures, with the laws of physics as the only limit.
These galenic creations can prove highly compelling and represent the pinnacle of ultra-sensoriality.
The challenge of multi-sensory textures in the natural trend
Among brands focused on naturalness, dual-material textures are on the rise, such as with Patyka, which offers a relaxing organic oil-in-foam, enriched with jojoba, sesame, and rosehip vegetable oils.
The renewed interest in natural formulas brings with it the challenge of replacing petrochemical raw materials with green alternatives while retaining the product’s sensory properties. To meet their commitments by 2030, major cosmetics groups, – not to mention consumers -, are in high demand for bio-sourced products offering the same properties as synthetic compounds.
Seppic, a leader in functional ingredients, offers biodegradable, plant-based alternatives to silicones, such as the Emogreen range of emollients, which provides a wide array of sensory formulations. Each year, at the in-cosmetics Global trade show, these ingredients are showcased in a texture bar collection; in 2025, the inspirational formulas revisit The Beauty Box Office Movie Hits aligning with the trend of experiential beauty.
Developing the sensoriality of natural formulas is a significant challenge in meeting market demand. The divide between an ultra-sensory cosmetic product and an eco-designed green product appears to be fading, giving way to more refined formulas that combine pleasure and well-being: two sources of addiction.