NEWS > 02 April 2025
At Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2025, the best beauty products of the year were unveiled in preview.
What made the winners successful? Let's find out.
Jurors appreciated that this shampoo treats myriad hair and scalp concerns in a single step. Its benefits span combatting hair loss, balancing the scalp's microbiome with probiotic ingredients, preventing grays, and protecting against UV rays. “A nice multi-use product [that] will save the consumer time and helps with sustainability as [fewer] products are required for…hair washing and conditioning,” said one juror. Among the shampoo’s ingredients are Naflex™ 10, a patented herbal complex that shields hair from UV rays and external irritants while supporting scalp health; caffeine, which stimulates circulation to encourage hair growth; niacinamide to improve scalp barrier function and reduce irritation; and biotin to strengthen hair follicles, promoting elasticity and resilience. Lactobacillus ferment extract, meanwhile, helps maintain a balanced scalp microbiome, soothing and nourishing the skin. One juror pronounced the formula “a thoughtful blend of science and nature,” while another noted that “for men, this is the perfect all in one.” The shampoo additionally acts to prevent premature graying by supporting melanin synthesis. “It simplifies hair care while delivering professional-grade results,” said one panel member.
This cleanser offers a “futuristic formula [that] enhances the key moment of a correct beauty routine: cleansing,” said one juror. The product combines make-up remover and cleanser in a single step, and employs the brand’s Air Melting Micellar Bubble technology, which breaks down make-up without oils. The technology uses compressed air in a water micellar bubble that bursts upon contact with make-up ingredients, to “melt” them away, working with the ionic properties of make-up to offer a gentler, physical breakdown. The panel called this a “fun and effective upgrade” compared to traditional cleansers, and one juror noted that if the product eliminates the need for double cleansing – with the brand claiming the cleanser provides 100% removal of base make-up and lipstick – it stands as “a game-changer in modern skin care.” The formula is delivered as a rich foam, which creates soft, ASMR-like sounds when applied to the skin. It also contains calamine to soothe skin and niacinamide to improve skin tone and texture. Jurors stated that the cleanser offers a “nice consumer experience” and pronounced its use of niacinamide as “on trend.”
This cushion foundation’s formula includes an avocado essence-wrapped powder technology that promotes soft skin and prevents creasing. “The avocado idea combined with make-up is beautiful,” said one juror. Offering a moist, non-cakey finish that lasts for 12 hours, its formula also includes a fine “polishing beads” powder, for a finish that appears smooth and light; and a light-control film system that adjusts the refractive index of light to create a luster on the skin and hide blemishes, resulting in a transparent make-up effect. The panel called its finish on the skin “amazing,” noting that its coverage is “aligned with the natural finish trend.” The formula offers make-up that lasts for 12 hours and resists water, sweat, and friction. Jurors also liked the packaging, whose green tone is inspired by Thailand’s bright, uplifting colors, calling the compact “beautiful and elegant,” noting that it will likely appeal to Gen Z consumers.
A concept that sees toothpaste reimagined as crunchy tablets, to make toothbrushing fun and sensory for kids, the panel thought that this was a “smart and attractive product…to teach [children] about dental care.” The tablets contain hydroxyapatite, a fluoride alternative that strengthens enamel and remineralizes teeth, helps prevent cavities, and reduces sensitivity, and is gentle on young teeth. They also contain probiotics, to support a balanced pH in the mouth and promote beneficial bacteria. The tablets are free from sodium lauryl sulphate, artificial colorings, and preservatives. Jurors called the tablets an “amazing alternative to conventional toothpaste,” and noted that the “natural formula ensures safety.” With a natural peach flavor, the tablets are presented in compostable packaging. To use, the tablets are chewed, and the teeth brushed with a wet toothbrush, before the foam is spat away. Jurors also called out the product’s “clear claims with very delightful artwork [on the] packaging.”
“A great example of modern, mindful beauty,” was how juror described this cuticle remover, whose enzyme-based formula has been created to remove cuticles without cutting. The lightweight gel formula dissolves excess cuticles in 60 seconds, while soothing and hydrating the skin. “Really a novelty, intelligent and useful,” said one juror. The formula combines biotechnology with adaptogens and employs the natural enzymes papain and bromelain and AHAs to dissolve excess skin, while the reishi extract, probiotics, and hyaluronic acid protect and repair the cuticle area. One panel member noted that they liked the “crossover from skin care and bringing new ingredients into [the] nail [category].”
Jurors called this product “more than just a beauty treatment; it feels like a full-body wellness ritual.” The ritual comprises body massage cups, a massage oil, and an exfoliation mitt, and acts to combat cellulite and promote skin health. The Cellulite Be Gone Genie Massage Oil, with essential oils to target cellulite, is applied to the skin, followed by the brand’s cupping massage system. The massage improves the delivery of oxygen to the cells, and assists lymphatic drainage function, expelling toxins while promoting wellness. Finally, the copper exfoliation mitt, used in the bath or shower, reduces the appearance of uneven skin tone so skin appears smoother and younger looking. The panel noted that the set acts as “a great home kit for those who want to experience cupping and lymphatic drainage at home.”
An AI-powered system that analyzes scalp conditions and provides personalized care recommendations for targeted treatments, jurors called this device “incredibly forward-thinking.” Using big data, the machine assesses scalp conditions and recommends customized shampoos and serums to ensure targeted care. “The idea of using big data and AI to tailor scalp care is such a game-changer,” one juror added. To develop the AI scalp analysis system, the company worked closely with professors at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital to collect 100,000 data points, analyzing and classifying each image. In total, the company identified 10 scalp conditions: good, dry, oily, sensitive, atopic, seborrheic, troubled, dry-dandruff, oily-dandruff, and hair loss. “The product looks unique and if [it can] identify scalp problems then it will resolve all major hair issues,” said one panel member, while another noted that it demonstrated “great use of AI, at the service of people. Original and very useful, it will be the beginning of a great path of innovation.”
Praised for its “holistic approach to pregnancy care” jurors pointed to how this cream supports not only “aesthetics” but “emotional well-being.” Indeed, alongside treating and preventing stretch marks and calming skin irritation, this cream soothes anxiety and tension and eases digestive discomfort. The product, one panel member said, “excels in concept, setting it apart from conventional creams.” Among the cream’s ingredients are fractionated coconut oil, to reinforce the skin’s lipid barrier; hydrogenated vegetable oil, for a silky feel on the skin; sunflower seed oil, to soothe and calm the skin; calendula flower extract, which heals wounds; and vitamin E, which strengthens the skin barrier. “Nice sensorial benefits and a very soothing fragrance,” noted jurors, while the product also won plaudits for its packaging design.
A shine-enhancing beard butter designed for white and gray facial hair, jurors liked this product as it identifies what they called “a very unique need” for beard care, noting that the fact it’s formulated for gray and white hair provides a solution to a “real problem.” The shine-enhancing beard butter addresses white and gray facial hair’s coarser texture. Non-greasy and deeply conditioning, it is designed for use every day to soften wiry, coarse beards while adding a subtle sheen. Among its ingredients are shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and sweet almond oil. Its delicate scent, meanwhile, combines woody notes of rosemary and star anise with cyclamen, ambergris, cedarwood, and tonka. Nodding to the product’s retro branding, one juror noted its “beautiful storytelling,” while another pointed to its “beautiful and classic packaging, [and] excellent balance between effectiveness and pleasantness.” “A well-executed upgrade of a classic,” added one panel member.
Calling this self-tanning product a “really innovative formula,” jurors appreciated Golden Vibes’ “neurocosmetic claims.” Its ingredients include Neuro Sun, which stimulates the release of melanin, oxytocin, beta-endorphins, and vitamin D production in the skin “mimicking the psychological and physiological benefits of sun exposure without its harmful effects,” the brand says. The plant-based Neuro Sun extract, derived from Persicaria tinctoria, or Japanese indigo, enhances melanin production, protects DNA, and reduces skin inflammation, while its optimized cultivation process means the ingredient complies with organic and COSMOS standards. “It’s much more than a self-tanner,” said one juror, praising the formula’s “almost healing” qualities. The formula protects skin against environmental stressors, reducing UV and heat-induced inflammation, and raises vitamin D levels, enhancing skin resilience and vitality. The AI-developed formula also contains botanical oils such as sweet almond, moringa, carrot, and watermelon seed oil for deep hydration and antioxidant protection. The panel noted that the formula offers “nice claims around neuro benefits, AI, and mood-boosting.”