Cosmetics & Personal Care | Monthly bulletin | May 2026
Hair Longevity: A new approach to preserve hair performance over time
Inspired by the rise of skin longevity, hair care is entering a new phase focused on long-term performance. Rather than addressing isolated concerns, hair longevity aims to preserve the overall health and quality of hair by targeting the biological mechanisms of ageing. This approach combines scalp, follicle and fibre evaluation to demonstrate sustained efficacy and support durable, visible results.
In recent years, the concept of longevity has reshaped the way we approach skin care, shifting the focus from corrective actions to prevention and long-term preservation. Today, this vision is extending to hair care, giving rise to a new paradigm: hair longevity.
Rather than focusing on individual concerns such as hair loss, breakage or dullness, this approach takes a broader perspective. It is based on preserving the overall hair capital over time by addressing the underlying biological processes of ageing. As the hair and scalp age, several visible and structural changes occur, including increased hair shedding, reduced growth, follicle miniaturisation and progressive depigmentation. These transformations are driven by fundamental mechanisms such as cellular senescence, oxidative stress and alterations in the extracellular matrix, which progressively affect the strength, density and resilience of hair.
To effectively address these changes, hair longevity relies on a comprehensive, multi-level approach that considers the scalp, the hair follicle and the hair fibre as interconnected components of a single system.
The scalp forms the biological foundation of hair health and must be approached as skin that requires long-term preservation. Its condition directly impacts the environment in which hair develops. Maintaining the integrity of the scalp barrier, ensuring balanced hydration and regulating sebum production are essential to support a favourable ecosystem for hair growth. Advanced testing approaches, including ex vivo scalp models, allow a deeper understanding of these parameters and provide robust evidence of a product’s ability to preserve a healthy scalp environment over time.
At the core of hair longevity lies the hair follicle, a true biological reservoir whose activity determines hair growth and renewal. With ageing, follicular function progressively declines, leading to reduced density, thinner fibres and a disrupted growth cycle. Evaluating these changes through advanced clinical techniques enables the demonstration of a product’s ability to slow down follicular miniaturisation, maintain density and diameter, and support the natural hair cycle over time.
The hair fibre, finally, reflects both intrinsic ageing and cumulative external damage caused by environmental exposure, chemical treatments and repeated mechanical stress. In this context, longevity is no longer limited to repairing existing damage but aims to prevent degradation before it occurs. By preserving cuticle integrity, maintaining mechanical strength and preventing dehydration, it becomes possible to ensure that hair remains resilient, resistant to breakage and visibly healthy over time.
Hair longevity ultimately represents a shift towards a more holistic and preventive vision of hair care. It combines scientific understanding of ageing mechanisms with advanced evaluation methods to deliver not only immediate results, but also long-lasting performance.
For brands, this approach provides an opportunity to support stronger and more meaningful claims, backed by robust scientific evidence. For consumers, it answers the growing demand for solutions that preserve hair health in a sustainable way, reinforcing both confidence and long-term satisfaction.
At Eurofins Cosmetics & Personal Care, we support this approach through a comprehensive portfolio of clinical, instrumental and ex vivo solutions, enabling the robust demonstration of long-term hair performance and scientifically substantiated longevity claims.
Taiwan Cosmetics Regulation: July 2026 marks a turning point for global brands
Taiwan is entering a new phase in its cosmetics regulatory framework and for international brands, July 2026 will be a key milestone not to overlook.
Back in 2019, Taiwan introduced the Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Act, a major reform designed to modernise its regulatory landscape and progressively align with international standards, particularly those in Europe. Since then, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has been rolling out new requirements step by step, giving brands time to adapt.
Among the most significant changes are three core obligations:
- Product notification prior to market entry
- Compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- The introduction of a mandatory Product Information File (PIF), similar to the European model
A gradual implementation leading to its final stage in 2026
The requirement for a Taiwan-compliant PIF has been phased in over several years:
- Since July 2024: Mandatory for “specific-use” products such as sunscreens, hair dyes and perms, deodorants/antiperspirants, and tooth-whitening products
- Since July 2025: Extended to children’s products, eye contour products, lip products, and non-medicated oral care products
- From July 2026: The PIF will become mandatory for all cosmetic products
This final step represents a major shift. From July 2026 onwards, no cosmetic product will be able to enter or remain on the Taiwanese market without a fully compliant PIF.
What this means for brands
While the phased approach has allowed some flexibility, the upcoming deadline significantly raises the level of expectation.
Brands that have not yet prepared their documentation, or that rely on EU PIFs without adaptation, will need to act quickly. The Taiwanese PIF includes 16 mandatory sections, and while there are similarities with the European format, local specificities must be carefully addressed.
A key component is the Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR), which must be signed by a safety assessor who has completed TFDA-recognised training. This is a critical requirement and often a point of attention during compliance checks.
How Eurofins Cosmetics & Personal Care can support your transition
At Eurofins Cosmetics & Personal Care, we have anticipated these regulatory changes to ensure our clients are fully prepared ahead of the 2026 deadline.
Our safety assessors have successfully completed the TFDA-required training, allowing us to provide robust and compliant CPSRs tailored to Taiwan’s expectations. Combined with our regulatory expertise, we offer end-to-end support, including:
- Preparation or adaptation of your CPSR in line with Taiwanese requirements
- Full preparation or audit of your Taiwan PIF, including conversion from EU dossiers
- Comprehensive regulatory compliance review covering formulas, claims, labelling, and technical documentation
China’s cosmetics regulatory update – key recent developments
Recent regulatory updates in China confirm a clear intensification of requirements for cosmetics, particularly when it comes to efficacy testing and the compliance of imported products.
At the end of April (April 30, 2026), the China National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) released two draft testing methods covering skin whitening and anti-hair loss claims, currently open for consultation until June 5.
These drafts follow international approaches but further adapt them to the Chinese regulatory framework. Beyond the technical aspects, they place greater emphasis on study design, subject selection and, importantly, on the level of quality control expected during clinical studies — reflecting a continued move towards more robust and tightly controlled data.
This trend is also visible in the sunscreen category. A few days earlier, on April 15, 2026, NIFDC published its Technical Guidelines for Sunscreen Cosmetics Research (Trial), providing additional clarification for brands operating in China.
In particular, it confirms that imported products must be tested according to Chinese methods. In practice, when discrepancies arise between local test results and claims displayed on global packaging (SPF, PA rating or water resistance), companies may need to adapt their product labelling specifically for the Chinese market.
In parallel, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced on April 13, 2026 an update to the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China (IECIC).
While only one new ingredient has been added, the standardisation of the nomenclature of 49 existing ingredients is worth noting, as it improves alignment with international naming and supports smoother registration processes.
Altogether, these updates illustrate the same underlying direction: increased scrutiny, higher expectations on supporting data, and a growing need for locally compliant testing strategies. For international brands, anticipating these requirements early is key to avoiding delays and securing market access.
Eurofins C&PC China supports clients by ensuring that products meet local requirements, support claim substantiation and facilitate a smoother entry into the Chinese market.
