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!
We’re always excited to share the latest innovations from our principal suppliers that will help formulators stay ahead of key trends. At this year’s in-cosmetics Global, Sinerga launched three exciting new ingredients – Amino Collagen, Carobsoothe and Up-Citrus Rheo – that perfectly align with two key movements in modern skincare: Skin Longevity and Upcycled Beauty. We’re thrilled to share more details about these new ingredients below.
In 2025, skincare is moving beyond “anti-aging”. The focus is now on Skin Longevity; preserving the skin’s health, resilience, and vitality over time.
Instead of fighting signs of age as they appear, Skin Longevity is about supporting natural skin functions at a cellular level, promoting strong structure, hydration, and protection against chronic stressors like inflammaging (low-level inflammation that builds up over time in the skin) and oxidative damage.
The two new Sinerga ingredients, Amino Collagen and Carobsoothe, offer powerful tools for formulators to create next-generation products focused on long-term skin health.
Amino Collagen is a bio-fermentative blend of selected amino acids that mimic the aminoacidic profile of collagen, offering a natural vegan alternative to traditional animal-derived collagen. This exciting new ingredient supplies the extracellular matrix with essential building blocks to reinforce skin structure. It also stimulates new collagen synthesis, and protects against collagen degradation by inhibiting MMP-1. The result is a visible lifting effect on facial contours, redefining the cheekbones, reducing double chin volume, and preserving the “triangle of youth” that typically reverses with age.
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Carobsoothe, extracted from upcycled carob pods and titrated in inositols, targets the underlying causes of skin aging: chronic low-level inflammation (“inflammaging”) and oxidative stress. It works by stimulating Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) expression – boosting hydration, ROS protection, and cellular renewal – while significantly reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1α).
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Another major trend is upcycled beauty, using by-products that would otherwise be discarded to create high-value cosmetic ingredients. It’s about making sustainability visible and effective, and Sinerga’s Up-Citrus Rheo embodies this approach beautifully.
Up-Citrus Rheo is a 100% natural rheological modifier derived from upcycled lemon peel waste. It allows formulators to create unique textures while delivering functional and sensorial benefits, such as mattifying skin, minimising pores, and delivering a soft-focus effect.
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We are proud to supply these new ingredients from Sinerga. They are ideal for forward-thinking formulators looking to innovate in the areas of Skin Longevity and Upcycled Beauty, whilst also meeting consumer demands for natural, sustainable and upcycled skincare.
If you’d like to find out more, request samples or talk to our technical team about your next green skincare formulation, get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
In‑cosmetics 2025 was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with our industry peers, discover cutting‑edge formulation technologies, and strengthen partnerships with our valued suppliers. A highlight for HARKE UK & Ireland this year was standing alongside Syensqo as they launched five exciting new ingredients, each designed to address emerging consumer needs around skin barrier repair, hydration and scalp care. Let’s take a closer look.
A bio‑inspired lipid complex that mimics the natural ceramide profile of the skin’s barrier.
This water-soluble concentrate contains ceramides NP, AP, and phytosphingosine, helping to restore the skin’s natural lipid matrix. It is cold-processable and ideal for reinforcing the skin barrier in both skincare and scalp formulations.
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A 100% vegetable-derived squalane from canola, sunflower, and olive oil, offering a secure supply chain. This multifunctional emollient delivers deep moisturisation with a silky, non-greasy feel, and is suitable for both skin and hair applications.
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A lightweight hyaluronic acid derivative designed for enhanced hydration with superior lift and plumping. It improves spreadability and sensory profile, delivering a soft, silky finish without greasiness.
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An enhanced readily biodegradable conditioning polymer designed specifically for highly damaged hair. Boron-free and sourced from responsibly harvested fenugreek, delivering exceptional wet and dry conditioning without build-up. Naternal™ Care XTRA is an ideal replacement for polyquaterniums such as PQ-10 in formulations for highly damaged hair.
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A readily biodegradable, COSMOS-approved conditioning polymer ideal for clear formulations targeting low to medium hair damage. Derived from ethically sourced guar, Naternal™ Care Clear SGI provides lightweight, build-up-free conditioning – ideal for fine hair and even baby hair.
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We are proud to distribute the cutting-edge products that Syensqo brought to in‑cosmetics 2025, and we can’t wait to see how our customers will leverage them in next‑generation personal care products.
If you’d like samples, technical data, or formulation support for any of these new launches, please contact the HARKE UK &Ireland team.
The world of cosmetic formulation is constantly evolving, and W. Ulrich’s latest innovation is set to redefine how vegetable oils perform in personal care applications. Continue reading
At HARKE UK & Ireland, we’re proud to bring forward-thinking, sustainable, and science-backed ingredient solutions to the personal care industry. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Syensqo’s Jaguar® and Naternal™ ranges. These innovative guar-based polymers offer exceptional performance in hair and skin care applications, with impressive sustainability credentialstoo.Continue reading
In the competitive world of skincare and cosmetics, formulating products that stand out for their texture, stability, and performance is essential.Continue reading
For personal care formulators, the shift to waterless products presents opportunities to innovate with solid bars, powders, and blocks that align with environmental responsibility, minimising water usage, reducing packaging waste, and offering effective, concentrated formulations.
Omyacare® S70 KP, a natural mineral additive from Omya, is specifically designed to meet these demands, offering exceptional performance in solid format formulations like soap bars.Continue reading
Up-Citrus Rheo is a 100% natural rheological agent derived from upcycled lemon peel waste, offering eco-conscious formulators a sustainable alternative to traditional rheological agents, with multifunctional benefits.
With upcycled beauty expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.6% by 2031 (according to a report by Allied Market Research), now is the time to take advantage of high-performance ingredients such as Up-Citrus Rheo by Sinerga.Continue reading
Neolone® BioG is a high-performing preservative by LANXESS that combines sustainable innovation with effective antimicrobial protection, making it a go-to solution for personal care formulators. The raw materials for Neolone® BioG Preservative are derived from non-GMO corn, sugar beet, sugar cane and sustainably sourced palm oil. It meets ISO 16128 standards and is COSMOS and NATRUE-certified. Continue reading
