The 2025 edition of in-cosmetics Korea, South Korea’s only trade show dedicated exclusively to personal care ingredients, has unveiled the winners of its prestigious annual awards. Designed to honour the most cutting-edge innovations in skincare and cosmetics, the awards celebrate scientific excellence, sustainability, and the values that define K-beauty on the global stage.
Supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea, the awards reflect the nation’s commitment to advancing K-health and K-beauty worldwide. A panel of industry experts evaluated this year’s standout ingredients, selecting winners in three major categories: Best Ingredient, Functional Ingredients, and the K-Beauty Standout Award.
Best Ingredient Award: Celebrating Advanced Actives
Gold – Lucas Meyer Cosmetics (Clariant) for Melicica™
Taking top honours in the Active Ingredients category, Melicica™ is a honey-derived skin repair solution that taps into nature’s healing properties. Offering powerful benefits for acne-prone skin, post-procedure care, tone correction, and baby care, it supports visible skin regeneration with impressive efficacy. The ingredient sets a new standard in restorative skincare.
Silver – PROVITAL for Pureblome™
Powered by exclusive Triplobiome™ Technology, Pureblome™ is a biotech-driven active that delivers multi-level skin regeneration. It refines texture, controls oil, reduces inflammation, and delays signs of ageing—all in one formulation.
Bronze – ALGAKTIV for ALGAKTIV® Exometics G
This vegan biomimetic exosome derived from microalgae offers potent anti-ageing, elasticity-boosting, and skin-renewing effects. It exemplifies the role of algae innovation in next-gen skincare performance.
Functional Ingredients: Enhancing Formulation Flexibility
Gold – KCC SILICONE Corporation for Harmonie™ NatuVel Gel
KCC took the top spot for its 100% naturally derived elastomer, delivering a soft-touch, blurring effect that’s especially compatible with UV filters. Ideal for diverse formulations, it opens new doors for texture innovation.
Silver – Solabia Group for OleoShine® Green
OleoShine® Green is a sustainable polymer alternative that brings radiant glow and high performance to colour cosmetics. It aligns beauty with environmental consciousness.
Bronze – IOI Oleo GmbH for SOFTISAN® 650
This vegan, natural film-former offers moisturisation, water resistance, and protective barrier benefits. Perfect for skincare and suncare, it balances functionality with clean beauty values.
K-Beauty Standout Award: Honouring Core Korean Values in Innovation
Winner – Givaudan Active Beauty for PrimalHyal™ UltraReverse
PrimalHyal™ UltraReverse stands at the forefront of hyaluronic acid innovation. It penetrates the skin to act at the DNA level, targeting ageing from within. Infused with sustainability principles, it redefines what’s possible for long-term skin health.
Runner-Up – TriBeaute Inc. for AzePore™
AzePore™ is a multifunctional ingredient designed to moisturise, reduce acne, and melt blackheads, while tightening pores and preventing bacterial growth. Its versatility positions it as a game-changer in problem-solving skincare.
A Showcase of Science, Sustainability, and Skincare Excellence
Sarah Gibson, Exhibition Director of in-cosmetics Korea, commented, “This year’s award entries showcased the industry’s unrelenting commitment to advancing cosmetic science. We’re proud to shine a light on the innovators behind these breakthrough ingredients and to celebrate the ingenuity, sustainability, and scientific rigour driving the next generation of K-beauty.”
As per the press release, the 2025 in-cosmetics Korea Awards showcased everything from nature-powered actives to high-tech formulation tools. The event reaffirms its role as a leading platform for cosmetic innovation. It also serves as a vital bridge between Korean science and global beauty trends.
