Our markets

Personal care ingredients for a wide range of markets

A broad portfolio of skin actives and superior service that meets the needs of the skin care market

DSM capitalizes on its more than 40 years of expertise in skin biology to translate scientific findings into tangible consumer benefits in many areas of skin care. Today our broad portfolio of skin actives and bioactive skin care ingredients includes synthetic peptides, organically grown plant extracts and other natural ingredients, and vitamins for cosmetic applications.

Ingredients are just one aspect of the comprehensive expertise we offer to support our skin care customers. Our dedicated team of sensory experts works to verify sensory claims for different formulations, for example, while concepts such as CORNEOCARE™ or House of Naturals and our ready-to-use formulations have been developed to inspire customers and deliver on specific skin care needs.

To continue to bring relevant solutions to the market DSM is always innovating. Recent research activities include identifying promising ingredients and compounds through molecular modeling; using facial mapping technology to make the benefits of our products more tangible to consumers; and developing tailored products for different ethnicities.  Our current research focus takes us into uncharted territory, with the goal of creating groundbreaking microbiome skin care ingredients for our customers.

Make sun care a daily consumer habit with DSM’s UV filter products and services

DSM takes a holistic approach to sun care. Starting with our well-established portfolio of high-performing UV filter ingredients, we select and blend filters to meet regulatory and consumer requirements that differ widely across the world. Then we go the extra mile, drawing on our unique skin competencies to provide actives and vitamins to enhance sun protection. We also refine our formulations constantly for improved consumer acceptability. Innovations such as our sensory modifiers, for example, can be added to sunscreens to improve their feel on the skin, or used to incorporate sun care formulations into novel, hybrid beauty and skin care products.

Our holistic approach extends to our customer services as well. DSM’s comprehensive support package includes: full claim substantiation; a free online Sunscreen Optimizer™ tool to help customers develop and fine-tune sunscreen formulations before they begin SPF testing; formulations and concepts that target specific user groups; and a panel of highly skilled sensory evaluators who can help customers enhance and improve the sensory properties of sunscreen products. Finally, through our Safer Under the Sun program DSM is working with customers to raise awareness of the risks of skin cancer and to encourage consumers to use sun protection regularly.

Ingredients, formulations, concepts and innovation for the trend-driven hair care market

DSM’s hair care teams can call on 50-plus years of expertise in polymer technologies and are dedicated to designing tailored products that deliver outstanding hair care and styling benefits to help our customers stand out in their markets. We offer a portfolio of strong, versatile hair styling ingredients and powerful, dependable hair conditioning polymers for novel hairstyling applications. Beyond this, we can draw on our sun care and skin care expertise to combine multiple consumer benefits into bespoke formulations – by incorporating UV protection or scalp care, for example.

In this dynamic and trend-driven segment, flexibility and diversification are the key to staying ahead. So DSM also supports customers with its packages of ingredients, formulations, and concepts; developed in response to specific needs, such as a desire for natural looking hair, volume, or firm hold with a weightless feel.  What’s more, with the aid of our Bright Science, established, cross-disciplinary innovation capabilities, our collaborations, and our rich innovation pipeline, we are working to expand our hair care and polymer portfolio further. In this way we can make sure we continue to help our customers deliver the hair care solutions consumers are looking for.

Skin actives and cosmetic ingredients for body care and make-up: a new market

DSM’s formulation expertise and broad personal care portfolio, including its blue-light and UV ingredients, bioactive skincare, vitamins, and high-quality, scientifically and consumer tested sensory modifiers, have much relevance for the body care and make-up sector. 

Our activities in this market are in their early days, but we can already draw on an in-depth knowledge of skin biology and the epidermis, and thorough understanding of dry facial skin conditions, to develop formulations for body care products. Similarly, our effective range of sensory and visual modifiers is also suitable for make-up products with innovative textures that feel pleasant and are easy to apply at the same time as delivering visual benefits.

Only the highest quality aroma ingredients for our fragrance customers

With 40 years’ experience and expertise in the complex process of building aromas, DSM prides itself on producing the highest quality, ethically produced aroma ingredients from reliable, sustainable and traceable sources. As vitamins are a vital ingredient in the fragrance market, we are also proud to be the world’s largest backwards-integrated supplier of vitamins for personal care.

Our advanced chemical and biochemical know-how alongside our unique technology and production infrastructure keeps us one step ahead of the curve, while our innovative products include new and familiar molecules and intermediates that support fragrance brands’ drive for success. 

In other words, our Bright Science ethos helps fragrance houses to continue innovating and producing products of the highest purity and quality that put a smile on consumers’ faces.

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