2nd Ringier Formulation Master Awards in Personal Care: Winners announced

After months of fierce competition, the 2nd edition of the "Ringier Formulation Master Awards in Personal Care " concluded successfully and the list of winners revealed.

 

A total of 83 entries showcased the innovative strength and ingenuity of Chinese formulators under the theme " Future Sensory Experience, Slow Life and Skin Care." Sixteen entries emerged, winning across five categories: Excellence Award, First Prize, Second Prize, Third Prize, and Potential Award.

 

In 2024, the inaugural Ringier Formula Master Award attracted 62 formulators. Here, the repair and soothing track dominated, accounting for about 70% of entries, and demonstrating Chinese formulators' deep expertise in barrier repair.

 

In 2025, the second edition of the competition ushered in a qualitative leap where the scale of participation grew: entries increased by 33.9% from 62 to 83, and formulators covered a wider range of industries, from large enterprises to independent developers.

 

Designated raw material warehouses have been upgraded

This year, five industry-leading suppliers collaborated to provide ten cutting-edge ingredients that span the three major efficacy tracks—repair and soothing, anti-aging, and whitening and brightening. The selection also introduced advanced matrix raw materials and innovative emulsifiers to meet demands for optimized skin feel.

 

Shanghai Coachchem Technology Co., Ltd. provided a variety of star raw materials such as Anallerg-Kavain, Anallerg-Retinal, Anallerg-Mulan, Anallerg-NFA, among others.

Spec-Chem Industry Inc. contributed solutions such as SilCare Microalgae Ferment, SpecPlex Goldwhiten, and SpecKare E-GCu11 Solution, which take into account both efficacy and skin feel.

Shenzhen Shanhai Innovation Technology Co., Ltd provided SHINE+Hwhite M-TM whitening raw materials.

GeneIII’s Ergothioneine, Angel Yeast’s Fermthink Cu25, as well as the Phoslip series phospholipid emulsifiers (PE75, LC10, PF10) from Shenyang Gold Jyouki Technology Co., Ltd provided formulators with a full range of innovation possibilities from efficacy to texture.

 

 

 

The breadth of raw materials directly enhances the variety and technical depth of submissions to this competition. Formulators were no longer limited to a single efficacy path, but are able to explore innovation in a broader space of ingredient combinations. This also explains why the three tracks can form a balanced pattern this year, and technological innovation is in full bloom.

 

The track pattern is reconstructed

o   Anti-aging dominates: With 31 models (37.3%), anti-aging has surged to become the most competitive and strategically important category for formulators. Formulators are moving away from relying on a single “hero” ingredient. Instead, multi-ingredient strategies—especially combinations—are now mainstream. Techniques like gentle retinaldehyde delivery and layering ergothioneine with peptides are favored, especially when they deliver immediate tactile benefits (e.g., smoother skin feel). To justify marketing claims, brands must back formulations with 8–12 weeks of robust data, proving long-term efficacy.

 

o    Repair & Relief: 28 models (33.7%)—down from last year’s 70%, is still a basic need. There is a shift from “heavy-duty protection” to a “zero-burden healing” experience. Standout systems include emulsifier-free liquid crystal bases and gradient or 3D emulsification, delivering smoothie-like textures with translucent, summer-ready appeal. Here, innovation lies not in ingredient stacking, but in system architecture. With complete datasets on TEWL, redness reduction, and tolerability, these formulas are well-positioned for the medical aesthetics channel.

 

o    Whitening & Brightening: 24 models (28.9%) is a sharp rise, now anchored in barrier co-regulation. The shift is from “white without white” to a more holistic promise: stable, long-lasting, and gentle luminosity. Multi-target anti-darkening strategies linked with barrier support, have become the norm. Liposome-based glycyrrhizin delivery and post-aesthetic anti-blackening claims are gaining traction. Clinical validation via ITA value and anti-darkening rate is now the baseline for market viability.

 

Together these three tracks now form a “Three Kingdoms” landscape. The market demand is shifting from "repair the barrier and all will be well" to the era where repair, anti-aging, and brightening must go together.

 

Technological innovation accelerates

• o  Liquid crystal emulsification, D-phase system, nano-encapsulation and high-pressure microjet technology are frequent
• o  Retinaldehyde, blue copper peptide, ergothioneine, licorice, and ceramide have become o  representative raw materials
• o  The dual pursuit of "instant skin feel + long-lasting effect" has become the core of formula design

 

Sensory experience elevated

• o  From smoothie-like glide to water-break transformations, airy finishes, and velvet-brush softness—texture technologies are evolving fast. These tactile experiences are redefining how consumers perceive efficacy, comfort, and emotional connection.
• o  "Light and watery" is suitable for summer repair, and "matte butter" meets the needs of dry skin in autumn and winter
• o  The integrated design of touch, vision and fragrance has become the focus of the review

 

These changes reflect the rapid growth of the formulator community and a surge in industry-wide innovation. We look forward to welcoming more formulators to this dynamic stage—driving the industry forward with your expertise, creativity, and vision.

 

Rigorous and fair selection process

The competition took eight months of several rounds of rigorous judging:

 

Registration and preliminary stage (March-May)

Registration was scheduled from March 6 to April 7. After review, the partner organizer, Shanghai Shengping Testing Technology Co., Ltd., distributed the designated functional raw materials to the qualified formulators. The formulators submitted the formula design plan and samples before May 30. All entries were de-identified to ensure the fairness of the judging.

 

Mass sensory assessment (July)

On July 2-3, at the PCT Personal Care Products Technology Summit Forum Shanghai, the entries that passed the preliminary review were evaluated by the skin sensation professionals. Hundreds of industry practitioners personally experienced each work in front of the booth, and scored it on the spot from the dimensions of texture, extensibility, absorbency, and instant skin feel. In two days, the audience voted a total of 2,152 valid ratings, and each vote represented real feedback on the ingenuity of the formulator. This link brings the formula from the laboratory to the real use scenario, so that "good or not" can be tested most directly. Many formulators say that feedback from the audience has given them valuable direction for improvement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 In-depth expert review (June-September)

The expert jury conducted in-depth reviews based on the following criteria: formula design concept (30%), commercial feasibility (10%), safety and compliance (10%), and sensory evaluation (50%). The jury members included senior formulators, R&D directors, and technical experts; experts on market analysis, sensory testing; and academic representatives including university professors, research and institute tutors. The selection of the winning formulator was based on the scores of expert review (70%) and public skin sensing evaluation (30%).

 

 

 

 

The professional evaluation agency Shanghai Shengping Testing Technology Co., Ltd., which cooperates with the competition, organized 25 sensory evaluation experts to systematically evaluate 83 formulas. Each formula was comprehensively evaluated from 10 professional indicators such as texture and aroma before application, to ductility and moisture during application, to absorbency and dryness after application, and nearly 20,000 professional evaluations were completed, providing an extremely important scientific basis for sensory evaluation dimensions.

 

The list of winners announced

Among all the entries, the following formulators stood out for their outstanding innovation and formulation skills. Their work not only demonstrated a keen insight into market demand, but also reflect the unremitting pursuit of technological innovation. . Click here for the complete list of winners

 

Behind each award-winning work is the formulator's in-depth understanding of the characteristics of raw materials, precise control of the emulsification system, and sensory experience. The jury's frequent mentions of "interlocking concepts and themes", "complete data frameworks" and "precise differentiation and market positioning" are the common characteristics of these works.

 

During the review process, the review experts not only gave scores, but also gave valuable suggestions for improvement, such as:

 

"Innovation and creativity in formulation design need to be combined with scientific integrity. No matter how good the concept is, it also needs data support.”

 

"Sensory experience is not a superficial effort, but should be aligned with the path of efficacy. Don't let 'skin feeling' and 'channels' live their own lives.”

 

"The key to commercial viability is: Can your formulation meet the needs of a clear target audience while being cost-controllable? Where is the channel? What is the pricing logic?”

 

"Security and compliance are the bottom line. Stability test data, third-party security assessment reports, and anti-corrosion challenging tests are not plus points, but compulsory questions.”

 

"Advice for young formulators: Don't be kidnapped by AI-generated copy. You know your formula best, and it is more convincing to explain the efficacy logic clearly in the most simple language than to pile up terms.”

 

Innovation: An endless journey
The 2^nd Ringier Formulation Master Awards in Personal Care may have drawn to a close, but the formulator's path of innovation continues unabated. We are witnessing Chinese formulators evolve from followers into leaders. In repair and soothing formulations, we now have systems that rival international brands. In anti-ageing, gentle retinal delivery solutions have developed distinctly Chinese characteristics. In brightening and skin tone improvement, multi-target synergy combined with barrier co-management is becoming the new standard.

We are also seeing the industry's expectations of formulators rise. Today's formulator must understand not only ingredients, emulsification and skin feel, but also market dynamics, consumer behavior and data analytics. An outstanding formula is not merely scientific—it must be commercially viable, human-centered and sustainable.

Most importantly, we see this platform growing larger, more open and more inclusive. Whether you work for a major multinational or an emerging local brand, whether you are a seasoned formulator or new to the industry, if you bring creativity, craftsmanship and genuine passion for this field, there is a place here for you.

Next year, we look forward to more differentiated technical approaches, more robust evidence systems, clearer market positioning, more refined sensory experiences—and above all, more innovative formulations that truly transform our industry.

 

Award ceremony is set for November 19

The winners of the 2nd Ringier Formula Master Award Ceremony will honored during the PCT Personal Care Technology Summit Forum in Guangzhou. It be held on the morning of November 19, 2025 at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Center.

 

Click on the picture above to see the lineup of guests

 

 

PCT Guangzhou highlights

 With the theme of "Science Empowers Beauty", this year's PCT Guangzhou brings together hot topics such as medical research co-creation, synthetic biology, AI digitalization, emotional skin care, and sensory science to build a communication platform for the deep integration of industry, education and research.

 

About 5000+ industry representatives, 150+ speakers, and 260+ exhibitors will witness the pinnacle of this annual formulation innovation. The award-winning formulators will communicate face-to-face with experts from international brands and local leading enterprises to share their innovation experiences.

 

• Honor and opportunity coexist

The winning formulators will receive honorary certificates and trophies, as well as Ringier multi-channel promotion opportunities to enhance the industry influence of individuals and their works. There will also be brand enterprises, raw material suppliers and formulators for docking and negotiation, and excellent works have the opportunity to directly enter the commercialization channel.

 

• The technical feast was staged simultaneously

PCT Guangzhou will host 10+ thematic forums, covering cutting-edge fields such as basic research, efficacy formulations, safety assessment, regenerative medicine, precision skin care, sunscreen whitening, moisturizing and anti-aging, etc. In the 7000 square meter exhibition area, 260+ exhibitors will display the latest raw materials, equipment, and technical solutions.

 

• Immersive experience

There were also interactive activities such as PCT beauty new product show, fragrance DIY, and AI digital experience. You can experience these innovative formulations firsthand in the award-winning exhibition area and exchange design ideas face-to-face with formulators.

 

• Double launching ceremony

On the morning of the same day, the 2026 "Personal Care Industry – the Ringier Technology Innovation Award" will also usher in the launching ceremony. Founded in 2011, this prestigious award has been around for 14 years and has witnessed and promoted the development of the industry.

 

 

About the Ringier Formulation Master Awards in Personal Care

Organized by Ringier Trade Media and its publication happi China, the Ringier Formulation Master Awards in Personal Care is a major, influential and authoritative recognition programme for formulators in the personal care industry. The awards celebrate formulators who have made outstanding contributions to formulation innovation, foster collaboration amongst ingredient suppliers, brand companies and formulators, and drive the industry towards higher quality standards.