In this end-of-year wrap-up, Thomas Myers, president and CEO of the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), outlines the developments that will carry the industry into 2026 and what manufacturers and suppliers should prioritize next.
CDU: Looking back on 2025, what do you see as the most defining developments for the cosmetics and personal care industry, whether in policy, consumer trends, or global market dynamics?
Thomas Myers: 2025 has been a defining year for our industry. First, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced a proposal to add bemotrizinol (BEMT) to the over-the-counter sunscreen monograph as Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective (GRASE). This regulatory milestone marks the first new UV filter approved as GRASE in the United States in more than 20 years, a significant advancement for the cosmetics and personal care products industry and consumers.
The passage of H.R. 5371 was another major milestone, securing full-year funding for FDA. This action ensures that the agency has the necessary resources to safeguard public health and foster innovation.
The legislation also reauthorized the Over-the-Counter Monograph User Fee program through 2030, including new language from the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act, allowing FDA to consider broader scientific evidence for sunscreen safety and efficacy—a critical step in strengthening skin cancer prevention and advancing non-animal testing methods.
Also, H.R. 5371 included dedicated funding for FDA to implement key provisions of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) of 2022, enabling FDA to continue building the infrastructure necessary to support a modernized regulatory framework for cosmetics.
Earlier this year, PCPC welcomed the introduction of the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act, a bipartisan effort to modernize U.S. sunscreen regulation by streamlining the approval of new UV filters. This progress improves access to science-backed sun protection and supports alternatives to animal testing.
We also commended the reintroduction of the Humane Cosmetics Act, a critical move toward ending new cosmetics testing on animals and accelerating the use of cutting-edge, humane safety assessments—advancing our industry’s long-standing goal of cruelty-free innovation.
On the global stage, trade continued to shape our market landscape. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) played a pivotal role in preserving integrated North American supply chains and harmonized standards. Trade within the region reached $10.1 billion and a 39% increase since 2020, underscoring the importance of these frameworks in driving competitiveness and innovation.
Consumers also continued to influence our industry’s direction: Sustainability, ingredient transparency and digital engagement increasingly shaped product development and labeling. At the same time, expectations for eco-conscious packaging and personalized experiences pushed companies to evolve quickly.
Together, these developments tell a clear story: our industry is not just responding to regulatory change and ethical imperatives; we are leading with innovation, earning consumer trust and positioning ourselves for continued progress in the year ahead.
CDU: As MoCRA implementation continues, what have been the biggest lessons learned for manufacturers and suppliers, and how is PCPC working with FDA to ensure smooth and practical compliance in 2026?
Thomas Myers: PCPC and our member companies fully support MoCRA because it ensures a modern, science-based regulatory framework for cosmetics. As MoCRA implementation progresses, we continue to monitor the upcoming rules on fragrance allergens and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Also, noting that the recently passed H.R. 5371 mandates a report to Congress on ongoing rulemakings related to GMP and fragrance allergen labeling. One of our top priorities is ensuring that the FDA provides clear, timely guidance so businesses of all sizes can comply. We have equipped our members with resources to navigate these changes and remain in close conversation with FDA to support practical and timely guidance.
Many of our member companies have already met key MoCRA requirements, such as facility registration and product listing requirements, which, according to FDA’s listing since December 18, 2023, are 12,049 and 784,270, respectively. We continue to monitor the regulatory process to ensure the rules remain clear and workable.
CDU: Sustainability expectations now extend beyond packaging to full value-chain transparency. How is PCPC helping companies credibly communicate progress without falling into “greenwashing” traps?
Thomas Myers: Several PCPC member companies integrate sustainability into the entire lifecycle of their products, including ingredient sourcing, manufacturing, distribution and end-of-life considerations. Our work focuses on sharing best practices, clarifying evolving regulatory expectations and equipping members with resources to evaluate the environmental and social impacts across the full product lifecycle.
We also provide forums to assist member companies with packaging-related issues, for example, our Packaging Task Force, where we advance member priorities on state Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws.
Many of our member companies continue to execute transparent, comprehensive sustainability strategies. For example, one such company publicly reports everything from the water source used in its formulas to carbon emissions offsetting, mapped out in its sustainability report.
CDU: Innovation remains the lifeblood of this industry. What emerging technologies or ingredient trends are you most excited about heading into 2026, and what role does PCPC play in supporting responsible innovation?
Thomas Myers: Several forces continue to define where beauty innovation is headed, including transformative technologies and evolving ingredient approaches. Combined, they reflect an industry that is science-driven, global and values-oriented.
On the technology side, we are seeing progress across multiple areas like biotechnology and digital research and development (R&D). Biotechnological tools, including precision fermentation, are enabling more sustainable and scalable sourcing of high-performing ingredients.
At the same time, machine learning (ML) and other AI-enabled platforms support many different aspects from early-stage ingredient design to predictive safety assessments and personalized product development. Blockchain applications are emerging as well, with promising use cases in supply-chain transparency and lifecycle assessment that can strengthen sustainability and trust.
Building on the momentum of the recent FDA approval of BEMT, the first UV filter approved in more than 20 years, we hope and expect to see simplified regulatory pathways that allow additional modern UV filters to be proposed and approved by companies for inclusion in sunscreens in the U.S.
As part of the regulatory approval process, a significant area of scientific advancement is New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and Next-Generation Risk Assessment, which PCPC continues to advance and advocate for both technological progress and regulatory acceptance.
Improvements in vitro, in silico, and exposure-modeling tools—including ML-supported methods—are providing more human-relevant information and helping ensure safety assessments that do not rely on animal testing. Our engagement with global regulators is centered on ensuring these approaches are fit for purpose, scientifically robust and harmonized to benefit both industry and consumers.
CDU: Workforce development and diversity remain top-of-mind across industries. How is PCPC helping to prepare the next generation of leaders and ensure equitable growth opportunities across the beauty and personal care sector?
Thomas Myers: We are committed to growing talent and shaping the future of beauty and personal care products. We create opportunities to learn, lead and connect for industry professionals at every stage of their career. Through education, networking and active committee engagement, we help the next generation of leaders build skills, find mentors and contribute to the regulatory and scientific work that keeps our industry strong.
We are proud to recognize rising stars with programs like our Early Career Microbiologist Award, which elevates rising scientific talent shaping product safety and innovation. We also celebrate leaders who champion inclusivity and push the boundaries of innovation across beauty and personal care with our signature Madam C.J. Walker Award. By nurturing talent pipelines and supporting career growth, we ensure our industry stays vibrant, competitive and reflective of the consumers we serve.
CDU: If you had to summarize your outlook for 2026 in one phrase, what would it be, and what gives you the most optimism about where this industry is headed?
Thomas Myers: In one phrase: Innovation with impact, driving jobs, U.S. economic growth and providing safe, quality products in 2026.
Our industry will continue to play a critical role in supporting jobs, contributing to the economy and providing safe, quality products in 2026. The success of the cosmetics and personal care products industry is made possible by the dedication of experts across science, regulation and safety who generously share their knowledge and expertise to strengthen our industry.
At the same time, their innovation and technological advancements are shaping a dynamic future, expanding what’s possible in terms of safety and efficacy, and elevating the products we bring to market. Consumers can be confident in the meaningful progress we are making today and the strong, responsible industry we are building for tomorrow.
