At O&3 we believe that the future of beauty is circular and the ingredients we choose should be effective, sensorially exceptional and created with respect for the planet. Our organic plum oil is a perfect example of what this looks like in action.

Upcycled Beauty – Turning Fruit Waste into High Performance Ingredients

Every year, the food industry throws away millions of tons of fruit pits, from fruits like plums, apricots, and cherries. These pits, full of rich, nutrient-packed seeds, usually end up as waste. Our supplier of organic plum oil recognised that these overlooked byproducts still had incredible potential and designed a process that rescues, repurposes and reimagines these kernels into cosmetic ingredients. They collect fruit pits that would otherwise go to waste and upcycle them into high-performance oils and natural exfoliants.

Because these raw materials already exist, no extra farmland is needed, no extra water is used, and nothing new needs to be grown. It’s a way of producing ingredients that work with nature, rather than against it.

The raw material already exists – the innovation lies in transforming it.

Nothing Wasted, Everything Gained

For us, upcycling is more than a sustainability headline. It’s a commitment to using each raw material with intention.

In our supplier’s process, every part of the fruit pit is used. Fruits pits are cracked and shells and seeds are separated – those are pressed into nourishing oils while obtaining a highly nutritious protein flour, that finds its second life in food products. Even the shells are turned into biodegradable exfoliants (a natural alternative to microplastics), to valorize this unique raw material’s full potential .

Upcycled Plum Oil: A Signature Sensory Experience

This organic grade of plum kernel oil (Prunus Domestica Seed Oil) is cold pressed under strict European standards, keeping the goodness of the original fruit, such as its antioxidants, vitamins, and a silky-smooth skin feel.

But the magic of plum oil isn’t just in how it performs. It’s in how it feels and smells. The oil has a natural scent, that feels both comforting and luxurious. And it naturally masks base odours in formulations, so that perfumes don’t need to be added, making it ideal for brands creating fragrance-free or minimal ingredient products.

On the skin, plum oil feels light and is fast absorbing, leaving a velvety, non-greasy finish. It is gentle but rich enough to nourish and protect, whether it’s used in a face oil, a scalp serum, or a lightweight body balm.

What Makes this Partner Stand Out?

What truly sets this supplier apart is how much care and expertise they bring to everything they do. They have a dedicated team of sensory experts who evaluate each oil for aroma, texture, and skin feel, as it is about understanding how an oil will perform in real formulations, as well as how it will make people feel when they use it.

Their supply chain is just as thoughtful. By working closely with fruit processors both inside and outside the EU, they are able to source the best kernels and craft oils with exceptional sensory quality. They also collaborate directly with cosmetic brands and formulators, developing new ways to use upcycled oils, particularly as natural masking agents for perfume-free skincare.

Why Upcycled Stone Fruit Oils Matter Today

Consumers expect more from their cosmetics than ever before. They want ingredients that perform, but they also want to understand where they come from and how they impact the planet.

Upcycled stone fruit oils meets these expectations and align perfectly with this shift toward eco-friendly formulation and zero-waste beauty.

Our organic plum oil represents everything we value: innovation, responsibility, and beauty that begins with nature, not at nature’s expense.

O&3 Thoughts

At O&3, we are lucky to work with incredible partners around the world, people who care as deeply about natural ingredients as we do. And this supplier’s commitment to upcycling, quality, and transparency fits perfectly with our own values.

Together, we’re helping to provide ingredients that don’t just feel good on your skin but are kind to people and the planet.

Upcycled, functional, and beautifully crafted — this is the future of cosmetic ingredients. And at O&3, we’re excited to help shape it.

The Ingredient and Formulation Signals Shaping Beauty in 2026

As the beauty and personal care industry moves into 2026, the direction of innovation is becoming increasingly clear. Formulation priorities are shifting away from excess and complexity, towards performance that feels intuitive, efficient and emotionally resonant. Ingredients are being chosen not just for what they do, but for how they support resilience in skin, in systems and in daily routines.

Our 2026 Beauty and Personal Care Trend Report explores the ingredient and formulation trends defining this next phase of product development. Grounded in formulation behaviour, consumer usage patterns and ingredient sourcing dynamics, the report connects macro-level cultural shifts with practical, on-the-ground formulation direction.

Across global markets, we are seeing wellness redefined through three interconnected lenses: biological function, sensory reward and formulation efficiency. Consumers are prioritising products that work consistently, feel good to use and integrate seamlessly into real life without adding unnecessary steps or complexity.

These expectations are shaping clear formulation pathways. Barrier-supporting systems, lightweight and comfortable textures, and multi-functional product architectures are becoming standard rather than premium. At the same time, ingredient choices are being influenced by climate reality and circular thinking, with growing interest in climate-resilient botanicals, upcycled materials and oil-based systems that deliver both performance and sensorial value.

Ingredients are increasingly valued for their adaptability, resilience and ability to support stressed skin, hair and wellbeing in a changing environment.

For formulators, brand owners and product developers, the O&3 2026 Trend Report provides a clear framework for navigating this landscape translating cultural change into actionable formulation insight.

Download the full 2026 Trend Report to explore the six key ingredient and formulation directions shaping the year ahead.

At the start of 2025, O&3 highlighted emerging movements in beauty and personal care in our 2025 Trend Report, from wellness-focused formulations to functional, plant-powered ingredients. A year on, it’s clear that these insights didn’t just trend, they became the new standard. Consumers continue to prioritise products that support internal and external health, deliver a satisfying sensory experience, and reflect their values around sustainability and conscious consumption.

Let’s review the key areas where our 2025 insights are continuing to influence the future of beauty in 2026.

Natural, Functional Ingredients

The early popularity of Batana Oil and plant-based body care confirmed a consumer desire for high-performance, multi-functional ingredients. Today, this trend has matured, shaping products that combine efficacy with sensorial appeal, whether through luxurious textures, nourishing oils, or ritualistic daily routines.

Inside-Out Wellness

Our focus on gut health, probiotics, and personalised routines anticipated the growing inside-out approach to beauty. This has evolved into bio-intelligent formulations that support the microbiome, metabolic balance, and overall wellbeing, blurring the lines between skincare, nutrition, and lifestyle.

Senses as Self-Care

The concept of sensescaping – designing products to nurture the senses has proven prescient. Consumers now seek textures, aromas, and rituals that provide comfort, calm, or emotional uplift, making sensorial experience a key driver of consistent product use.

Scalp Health and Functional Fragrance

Predictions around scalp-focused hair care and functional fragrance have also held true. Scalp-first routines and emotionally resonant oil-based fragrances are now firmly embedded in consumer expectations, reflecting a shift toward holistic wellness and self-expression.

Looking Ahead

These trends show a consistent narrative, consumers want products that work functionally, emotionally, and sustainably. Our 2026 Trend Report builds on this foundation, offering practical insights and ingredient guidance to help brands innovate with confidence.

Discover the full report and see how these trends are shaping the future of wellness in beauty: Download here.

If you’ve been scrolling through haircare TikTok lately, you may have noticed an unusual hero taking centre stage – the onion. With #onionextract up 309.7% on TikTok and searches for “onion shampoo” surging over 1,000% year-on-year, it’s clear that this pungent ingredient is capturing the imagination of beauty enthusiasts worldwide.  

Why Onion Oil is Trending 

While its strong aroma may seem surprising, TikTok has embraced onion’s transformative hair benefits. Users report improved scalp health, reduced hair fall, increased volume, and a healthier shine. The appeal lies not just in performance but in the “DIY heritage” of onions – an accessible, plant-based ingredient with centuries of traditional use in hair and scalp care. 

Whether in shampoos, conditioners, serums, or scalp treatments, onion oil offers a sensory and functional experience that resonates with modern consumers. 

The Science Behind the Strength 

Onion oils are packed with compounds that can support hair and scalp health: 

• Sulfur compounds: strengthen strands, reduce breakage, and help prevent thinning. 
• Antioxidants: help protect hair follicles from oxidative stress. 
• Antimicrobial properties: promote balanced scalp environment and support hair vitality. 
• Fatty acids and vitamins: nourish both hair and scalp for improved texture, shine, and resilience. 

Spotlight on Onion Seed Oil, Cold pressed 

Among O&3’s onion derived ingredients, Onion Seed Oil, Cold Pressed is the hero for haircare. 

Extracted through a cold-press process, this oil preserves maximum nutrients, including essential fatty acids, antioxidants and natural vitamins. Its light, non-greasy texture makes it perfect for all hair types from fine to thick, and ensures easy absorption into the scalp and strands.  

O&3’s Onion Oil Portfolio 

Onion Essential Oil:  concentrated, aromatic oil ideal for targeted scalp treatments or blends with hair and skin care products. 

Onion Seed Oil, Cold Pressed: light, nutrient-rich, and minimally processed, preserving key fatty acids, antioxidants, and skin-loving properties. 

Onion Oleoresin: a versatile extract that captures the concentrated bioactive compounds of onion, perfect for both cosmetic and functional applications. 

Each of these oils harnesses onion’s naturally occurring sulfur compounds, antioxidants, and antimicrobial properties which are ingredients traditionally celebrated in Ayurvedic haircare rituals and increasingly validated by modern science. 

Formulation Flexibility 

Onion oils are versatile and suitable for; 

• Scalp treatments: support circulation, nourishment, and barrier health. 

• Shampoos and conditioners: add shine, volume, and strength without buildup. 

• Serums and leave-ins: deliver targeted antioxidant and conditioning benefits. 

From viral TikTok trends to lab-backed benefits, onion oil is moving beyond niche to mainstream haircare. It combines the best of tradition and modern formulation science, delivering real results in a category where scalp health, hair growth, and damage prevention are top consumer priorities. 

Explore O&3’s onion oils today and discover why the humble onion is poised to be the star of scalp health in 2026. 

Across beauty lines and TikTok feeds, Korean and Japanese skincare continue to capture global fascination. K-beauty brings the thrill of discovery, while J-beauty offers the calm of tradition. Yet beneath the packaging, technology, and philosophy, both share the same foundation – natural ingredients.

At a time when ‘innovation’ often means lab-engineered actives or biotech peptides, the true heroes may still be the ingredients found in fields, forests, and seeds. From Korea’s ginseng and mugwort, to Japan’s camellia and rice bran, these natural ingredients have been refined, not replaced, by science.

K-Beauty’s Curiosity Meets J-Beauty’s Calm 

K-beauty built its reputation on novelty, with fast-moving trends, new textures, and hybrid formats that make skincare feel like play. Its global appeal comes from a willingness to reinvent, taking inspiration from ancient remedies and blending them with modern science. Oils such as camellia, rosehip, and hemp seed are increasingly used in lightweight emulsions and cleansing balms, prized for their ability to hydrate without heaviness. They represent the softer side of K-beauty, the deep nourishment beneath the playfulness. 

However, Japanese skincare rituals are rooted in ‘wa’, meaning harmony, with J-beauty formulations designed to favour balance over intensity. 

Where K-beauty often celebrates layering, J-beauty is more about minimalism, with fewer steps, greater intention, and ingredients chosen for purity and proven efficacy. Oils like camellia and rice bran have been at the heart of these rituals for centuries. They nourish the skin barrier, provide antioxidant protection, and deliver the soft, luminous finish associated with Japanese beauty. 

Transparency and Trust

In both K-beauty and J-beauty, ingredient credibility is non-negotiable. Korean brands have built global loyalty through transparency, educating consumers about every step of their formulation process. Japanese brands, meanwhile, often focus on heritage and precision, where trust is earned through decades of consistency and product performance. 

At O&3, we believe traceability is a quality standard and every one of our ingredients can be traced back to its origin. This level of visibility gives formulators confidence and consumers clarity. It ensures that they receive proven, pure, and responsibly produced products every time. 

What Brands Can Learn from K Beauty and J Beauty 

• Start with Intention 

Before the first ingredient is chosen, define what the formulation should feel like, not just what it should do. In both Korean and Japanese beauty, the end goal is harmony between texture, efficacy, and experience. Products that resonate emotionally are those designed with intention. 

• Refine, Don’t Overbuild 

Innovation doesn’t always mean adding more, sometimes it means editing better. Each ingredient should serve a clear function and enhance the overall synergy of the formulation. 

• Formulate for Experience 

A cleanser that glides easily, an oil that absorbs without residue, a cream that leaves a subtle glow, these sensory cues define brand identity more than claims. 

• Create with Longevity in Mind 

Fast trends fade, but well-balanced formulations last. By focussing on quality, usability, and ingredient harmony, formulators can design products that remain relevant long after launch. 

O&3 Thoughts… 

K-Beauty and J-Beauty show us that innovation doesn’t have to be complicated. By focussing on thoughtful ingredients, intentional design, and the balance between nature and science, great skincare can be both effective and enjoyable. A major lesson for brands and consumers is that less can be more, and taking care with every step creates products that last and truly make a difference.