At HARKE UK & Ireland, we’re passionate about helping formulators stay ahead of the curve. In our recent webinar, hosted by Amelia Roberts and Dil Sarker, we spotlighted five key personal care trends shaping innovation across skincare and haircare, from TikTok-fuelled teen skincare to sustainable waterless formats.Continue reading
Tighter microplastics regulations and growing consumer demand for cleaner, greener ingredients are two pressing issues hitting both the personal and homecare industries right now. So how can formulators adapt to these requirements, ensuring they remain responsible, eco-conscious and compliant with regulation changes without jeopardising product performance? Syensqo’s Miracare® range is your answer!Continue reading
Cerafy™ Mix Repair is a breakthrough ingredient from Syensqo with powerful skin barrier repair capabilities. Formulators can now use Cerafy™ Mix Repair to deliver remarkable hydration, protection, and soothing effects, transforming their personal care formulations.Continue reading
Over recent years, solid beauty bars have become a rising trend, either as shampoo, body wash, or hair conditioner. Syndet bars have been around for some time – the most well-known in the retail market is the Dove Beauty Bar, which can be used as a conventional soap bar for both body wash and shampoo.Continue reading
In industrial cleaning and metal treatment, effective corrosion protection is vital to maintaining efficiency, extending equipment life, and ensuring safety. HARKE UK & Ireland is pleased to introduce DeCORE™ TOS from Verdant Specialty Solutions, a powerful corrosion inhibitor designed specifically to enhance your industrial cleaning formulations.Continue reading
HARKE UK & Ireland is proud to present Amino Collagen from Sinerga, an exciting new ingredient developed for formulators who are seeking a powerful, plant-based alternative to animal-derived collagen. Continue reading
At HARKE UK & Ireland, we know that formulators and product managers are under growing pressure to create haircare products that perform exceptionally – while also ticking every box for natural origin, biodegradability, and clean beauty standards. That’s why we’re excited to introduce Dermalcare® AVOLIA MB, a next-generation ingredient from our principal supplier Syensqo.Continue reading
When it comes to formulating home and personal care products, two things are always key: sustainability and performance. HARKE UK & Ireland is proud to spotlight not one, but two suspension agents from Syensqo that deliver on both fronts. Rheozan® BLC and Rheozan® BLC W are designed to enhance formulation aesthetics, stability, and eco-credentials across home and personal care.Continue reading
Antarctic-G by LABIO is a cutting-edge skincare active inspired by nature’s most resilient life forms.
Derived from extremophile microorganisms found in Antarctic glaciers and deep-sea environments, this exciting ingredient harnesses the natural survival mechanisms of Pseudoalteromonas sp. and Pseudozyma antarctica to deliver intense hydration, skin-brightening effects, and barrier-strengthening support.Continue reading
At this year’s in-cosmetics Global, our principal partner LABIO unveiled their latest innovation in active skincare ingredients: BlockACNE. Now available through HARKE UK & Ireland, this multifunctional ingredient – featuring upcycled apple peel extract – offers formulators a smart, targeted approach to acne care that is backed by science, sustainability, and strong clinical results.
Acne remains one of the most complex and persistent challenges in personal care formulation. Effective treatment often means addressing multiple skin concerns at once: excessive sebum, bacterial overgrowth (particularly C. acnes), inflammation, and clogged or enlarged pores. Traditional actives may tackle one or two of these aspects, but few offer a complete solution.
That’s where BlockACNE stands out. This ingredient has been carefully designed to address all four of these acne-driving factors, offering what LABIO calls a “total care” approach. Whether you’re formulating for teenage or adult breakouts, BlockACNE provides a gentle but effective foundation for products that can deliver clearer, healthier-looking skin.
INCI Name: Lactobacillus Ferment, Bacillus Ferment, Pentylene Glycol, Water, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract
Sebum Control: BlockACNE significantly reduced artificial sebum by up to 24.85% in vitro (at 5% use level) compared to control.
Anti-Bacterial Action: BlockACNE achieved a 100% inhibition rate of C. acnes growth at 5% concentration, without affecting beneficial skin bacteria like Lactobacillus plantarum.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: In cell studies, BlockACNE reduced the expression of inflammatory markers IL-8 and TNF-α. It also reduced NO production, helping prevent acne-related skin damage.
Skin Repair & Recovery: BlockACNE has been shown to promote procollagen synthesis (up to 625.9 µg/mL) and inhibit MMP-1, supporting the skin’s elasticity and structure post-breakout.
Testing took place over a 4-week period with 21 subjects (using BlockACNE twice daily at 3% concentration). The results were extremely positive, with:
If you’d like to see more detailed testing data, please get in touch.
We’re excited to see what formulators will create with this exciting new ingredient. If you’d like to find out more about BlockACNE, request a sample, or discuss your next formulation with our knowledgeable technical team, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you!
