With almost half of all exhibitors from outside of Europe, Cosmoprof Bologna 2026 presented its usual diverse mix of brands and trends. The on-going popularity of K-beauty in the finished and salon beauty sectors was reflected by the increased numbers of Korean exhibitors – some 350 companies – and impressively crowded Korean pavilions.
Here are ten interesting brands that Premium Beauty News spotted at the show.
1. Math Scientific: when Lithuania takes inspiration from South Korea
Launched in 2020, Lithuanian skincare brand Math Scientific offers sleek and minimalist products. The 18-SKU lineup focuses on streamlined, high-performance formulations.
Its latest innovations include two K-beauty–inspired products: Freeze-Dried C Pearls 31, vitamin C spheres that dissolve on contact with liquid and can be used to enhance existing skincare products, and micro-needle under-eye patches formulated with hyaluronic acid.
2. Athena’s 1969: all about encapsulated ingredients!
Italian beauty brand L‘Erboristica Athena’s 1969 most recent product innovation was all about encapsulated ingredients. Each product in the 5-SKU functional beauty Sphea face and body care range features a blend of differently colored ingredient pearls which are suspended in a clear gel formula. As a bonus, the products are packaged in glass flacons and look striking on the shelf.
3. Blank&: hemp and sexual wellness
While the global CBD beauty hype has long since abated, the beneficial skin care properties of hemp-extracted cannabidiol continue to make it an attractive key ingredient in new beauty launches.
That’s why Blank&, a wellness brand from Finland, has made CBD its hero ingredient. Launched in 2025, the six-product Blank& range of face and intimate care features standout bestsellers such as its two CBD-infused lubricants: Glisa (extra viscous) and Etna (moisturising).
4. Deardot: plastic-free and water-less shampoo
Already featured in our columns for its innovative approach, Korean organic indie brand Deardot has introduced a plastic-free, waterless shampoo sheet that was shortlisted as a finalist in this year’s Cosmoprof Awards.
Deardot’s Water-Activated Shampoo Sheet is a dry sheet that transforms into a creamy foam when activated with water and friction. The shampoo sachet itself is water-soluble, while the outer packaging is made from cardboard — making this innovation entirely plastic-free.
5. Inika Organic’s microbiome-focused skincare range
Many refillable and eco-friendly packaging concepts were prominently showcased across several finished beauty booths at the exhibition.
Australian organic brand Inika Organic, for example, is set to launch Pure Biome, a three-SKU range of microbiome-focused skincare designed for sensitive skin. The products feature a refillable design, with the formula housed in an inner container that can be easily replaced once empty.
6. Crèem Organics from Hungary
Family-owned Crèem Organics, founded in 2023, offers a 13-product range of hair and body care made with natural ingredients and short supply chains. The Hungarian company cultivates and extracts its botanical raw materials on its own farm, ensuring quality and traceability. Featuring stylish, eco-friendly packaging, Crèem products are available online and in independently owned concept stores.
7. Fler: gender-free shaving
Italian gender-free shaving brand Fler presented a whole slew of new launches at its Cosmoprof Bologna booth, including a pro-biotic intimate cleansing foam (which can also be used for shaving) and a scented candle to make the bathroom shaving process into a holistic wellness experience. This pivot into home-fragrance / aromatherapy solution is an interesting – yet quite logical – cross-category step for a body care brand.
8. Farfalla targets emotional well-being
Swiss organic beauty brand Farfalla made its debut at Cosmoprof Bologna 2026, where it unveiled several new products, including the Stress Balance range dedicated to emotional well-being through aromatherapy. The line comprises a relaxing bath essence, an aromatherapy room spray, a scented body spray roll-on, and an essential oil blend formulated with soothing ingredients such as melissa, neroli, lavender, and orange.
9. Zew for Men: whisky blended beard care
Polish men’s grooming brand Zew for Men’s most recent launch is built around a fun collaboration with spirits brand Jameson.
Each beard balm and oil in Zew’s new range is scented to reflect a specific Jameson whiskey blend. Last year, the collection was expanded with the Triple Triple line, comprising three SKUs: a shiny beard oil, a matte beard oil, and a beard and moustache balm. This range features a fragrance profile with notes of chocolate and wood, inspired by Jameson’s Malaga Cask Triple Triple whiskey.
10. Esponjabon: 2-in-1 soap & sponge
While the soap-infused sponge cleansers of Mexican brand Esponjabon have been on the market in Mexico for over 20 years, the brand is looking to expand into the European markets after the colorful soap sponges went viral on social media.
The two most recent additions to the 10-SKU range reflect some of the key trends in the international beauty market – a fragrance-free version for sensitive skin and a sponge soap formulated with moisturising hyaluronic acid for ageing skin.
