The Beauty Spot

Haircare is growing faster, premiumising and becoming more performance-led, but innovation in this category plays by different rules to skincare. In this expert-led article, THG LABS Account Head of R&D, Dr Catherine Leray explores the perception that historically haircare innovation has lagged, where real growth is now emerging, and what it truly takes to engineer credible, high-performing haircare solutions at scale.

The rise of Exosomes is prompting renewed interest in how the skin communicates, adapts and responds to stress and ageing. In this article THG LABS Head of Product Innovation, Kristal Goodman dives into what exosomes are, why they’re gaining attention in regenerative skincare and the considerations that matter for brands exploring this space. We also outline how brands can work with exosome-led technologies in a way that supports stability, compliance and credible product development.

On National Manufacturing Day, THG LABS celebrates the role of UK cosmetics suppliers and cosmetics manufacturing in powering beauty innovation. Discover how our end-to-end model combines sustainability, speed-to-market, and industry expertise to help brands scale private label beauty products in the UK, spanning skincare, suncare, and haircare – taking ideas from lab to launch with confidence.

On 11th September 2025, at the BBIA BioFinance Summit in London, THG LABS joined Clean Food Group and Croda on stage to announce that Clean Oil™ 25 has achieved cosmetics regulatory approval across the UK, Europe and the United States.

This Summer, THG LABS are partnering Catalyst Science Discovery Centre to co-sponsor their Sun Protection Scientists Summer Workshops designed specifically for families and children to learn more about what the sun’s UV rays do to our skin, how sun protection products work  and why wearing sunscreen is essential, whatever the weather.

Continuing THG LABS commitment to Innovation with Purpose, we’re pleased to announce our collaboration with Carbonwave, the world’s leading developer of ultra-regenerative, plant-based, advanced biomaterials from seaweed. Hear more about our partnership which aims to enhance the environmental profile of our extensive skincare, haircare, suncare and body care formulation library while reducing the impact of ecologically harmful Sargassum seaweed.

Dermocosmetics continues to redefine the boundaries between clinical credibility and consumer skincare, driven by growing demand for science-led, results-focused products that prioritise skin health. We're seeing the category influence mainstream skincare, bodycare and haircare, as brands look to balance high-performance efficacy, tolerability and sensorial appeal. Our Product Innovation Team explore the forces shaping the dermocosmetic landscape, from ingredient sophistication and regulatory considerations to evolving consumer expectations around performance, trust and transparency. Drawing on market insight and formulation expertise, it provides practical perspective on how dermocosmetic thinking is translating into real-world product development opportunities.

Welcome to THG LABS 2025 Haircare Trend Report. Science, wellness, and innovation are converging and haircare is going to new lengths to deliver for the consumer. It’s a move that prioritises performance, wellbeing, ingredient efficacy, and inclusion, ensuring solutions are hyper-personalised, results-driven, and deeply rooted in long-term scalp and hair health. Curated by our Product Innovation Team, this report explores data insights, the latest consumer behaviours, market dynamics, ingredient technologies and future trends making waves in haircare.

Welcome to THG LABS 2024 Suncare Trend Report. It’s a new dawn for sun protection, where science meets sophistication.  Driving major innovation, every application is a step towards shielding the future of healthier skin. Curated by our Product Innovation Team and containing exclusive data insights, this report explores the latest consumer behaviours, market dynamics, ingredient technologies and future trends shaping SPFs in skincare. 

This presentation explores the perceived innovation gap between haircare and skincare, examining why haircare has historically lagged in clinical validation and scientific storytelling despite strong market growth and rising consumer expectations.

Originally presented by Dr. Catherine Leray, Account Head of R&D at THG LABS, during the Haircare Gap webinar hosted by Cosmetics Cluster UK, the deck draws on formulation science, hair biology and practical development experience to unpack the structural challenges limiting innovation.