Covalo, in-cosmetics Asia: Rice Skincare to Hit $3bn

Report Highlights APAC Ingredient Trends

Personal Care Magazine, in-cosmetics Asia, and Covalo have jointly released "Rooted in Tradition," a new report. This publication identifies ten heritage ingredients gaining significant momentum within the Asia-Pacific beauty and personal care industry.

The report's insights are derived from six months of search and sourcing data, specifically from February to July 2026, collected through Covalo's ingredient discovery platform. This platform is widely used by formulators, brand teams, and R&D departments across the sector, allowing the report to rank ingredients based on actual buyer and formulator interest.

Key Heritage Ingredients and Market Growth

Sake ferment leads the index, primarily attracting technical search interest from roles in product development, formulation, and research. Rice ferment, a key component, maintains its position as the leading fermentation base within the hair care market, holding a 31% share in 2026. Coconut oil secures the second spot, bolstered by its sustainability credentials.

These are reinforced by certifications from initiatives like the Sustainable Coconut Partnership and Rainforest Alliance-certified farms located across the Philippines and Indonesia, providing formulators with traceable supply chains. Rice completes the top three, leveraging its long history in Korean and Japanese beauty routines. The rice-based skincare market is projected to grow by $3 billion between 2026 and 2030.

Transparency Demands Extend to Emerging Actives

Beyond the ten featured heritage ingredients, "Rooted in Tradition" also profiles three emerging actives: propanediol, PDRN, and marine collagen. These newer plant and marine-derived categories demonstrate a similar market demand for sourcing transparency and science-backed performance.

Sarah Gibson, event director at in-cosmetics Asia, noted the increasing education among consumers. She stated this knowledge now influences the entire supply chain, meaning brands must offer a clear story and sourcing history for an active, not just its functional benefits.

Strategic Sourcing for APAC Brands

The report's findings underscore a critical shift for brand teams and formulators in Asia-Pacific: the necessity to prioritize verifiable sustainability claims and transparent sourcing for all ingredients, whether traditional botanicals or newer derivatives.

For industry professionals attending in-cosmetics Asia this November, the event will feature suppliers for every ingredient highlighted in the guide. This provides an opportunity for direct engagement to verify sourcing evidence and ask questions raised by the report.

The full "Rooted in Tradition" report is available for download on the in-cosmetics website, offering detailed guidance for strategic product development and ingredient procurement.