IFF expanded on the science behind its scent and biotech portfolio at in-cosmetics Global 2026, where the company is emphasizing measurable emotional and functional outcomes tied to fragrance and bio-based ingredients.
At the center of the showcase was Metamood, IFF’s fragrance design platform built on consumer perception data, neuroscience and AI-assisted creation. The company is positioning scent as a tool to influence a broader range of emotional states beyond traditional cues like relaxation, including comfort, reassurance and optimism. Metamood is designed to support more specific emotion-led product positioning and to guide perfumers using data-driven insights tied to how consumers respond to scent.
IFF is also detailed Metasleep, its scent platform targeting sleep-related applications. Developed in collaboration with SleepScore Labs, the program draws on more than 130 studies covering over one million hours of sleep data from 4,000-plus participants, collected through in-home measurement. The resulting fragrance systems are designed to support pre-sleep relaxation and improved sleep quality through non-invasive sensory cues, with potential applications across multiple product categories.
Beyond scent, IFF continued to highlight its broader ingredient portfolio at the event, including LMR-derived natural fragrance materials with cosmetic claims and biotech-enabled actives such as Aurist AGC for hair conditioning.
Aurist AGC is a biotech-derived, cationic conditioning polymer developed using IFF's Designed Enzymatic Biopolymers platform, which uses enzymatic processes to build tailored polysaccharides from plant-based sugars. The ingredient is designed as a biodegradable alternative to conventional conditioning agents, delivering performance benefits across hair and body care, including improved combability, gloss, manageability and skin feel. It is formulated as a cold-processable liquid that requires no pre-mixing or neutralization and is compatible with standard personal care ingredients. The technology enables structural control at the molecular level, allowing formulators to balance performance and sustainability while maintaining ease of use in a range of applications, from shampoos and conditioners to body wash and leave-on treatments.
Technical sessions and live demonstrations focused on how these technologies translate into measurable consumer experiences, particularly in hair and skin care routines.
The combined showcase underscores IFF’s push to link fragrance, bioactives and formulation tools to quantifiable consumer benefits, as demand grows for products that can substantiate both performance and wellness-related claims.
