Top 10 Companies in the Universal Base Material for Cosmetics Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Beauty Formulations

In Business Insights
November 03, 2025

The Global Universal Base Material for Cosmetics Market was valued at USD 18.92 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 27.45 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.4% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth is being driven by increasing consumer demand for natural and sustainable beauty products, growing skincare awareness across emerging markets, and the accelerating adoption of multi-functional and clean label ingredients solutions across premium and mass-market cosmetic segments.

As the cosmetics industry transforms toward clean beauty operations and sustainable growth, the spotlight is on the key raw material suppliers who are driving innovation, performance, and safer formulation pathways. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Universal Base Material for Cosmetics Industry—a mix of chemical giants, specialty ingredient manufacturers, and bio-based pioneers shaping the future of global cosmetic formulations.


🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Emollients, Surfactants, Rheology Modifiers, and Natural-derived Ingredients

BASF is among the world’s leading suppliers of cosmetic base materials, offering a comprehensive portfolio of ingredients for skin care, hair care, and color cosmetics. Their care chemicals division serves premium brands, indie formulators, and contract manufacturers, with significant investments in green chemistry and biotechnology-derived actives.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Commitment to 100% sustainable sourcing by 2040
  • Bio-based surfactant production from renewable raw materials
  • Zero waste and carbon-neutral production targets

Download FREE Sample Report:
Universal Base Material for Cosmetics Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Ashland Global Holdings Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Cellulose polymers, Natural thickeners, Conditioning agents, and Bio-functional ingredients

Ashland operates in more than 100 countries and supplies key ingredients for millions of cosmetic products annually. It is a significant player in natural and sustainable ingredient development, aiming to meet both regulatory and consumer demands for cleaner beauty products.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • EcoVadis Platinum rating for sustainability performance
  • Biodegradable and renewable raw material portfolio expansion

8️⃣ 3. Clariant AG

Headquarters: Muttenz, Switzerland
Key Offering: Natural emulsifiers, Plant-based actives, and Preservative-free systems

Clariant’s care chemicals division is expanding its bio-based footprint through strategic acquisitions and green chemistry innovations. The company is also engaged in advanced biotechnology platforms to support cosmetic industry sustainability goals.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Target of 60% of sales from eco-advantaged products by 2030

    Sustainability Initiatives:

    • Carbon footprint reduction of 40% across operations

    • Partnerships with cosmetic brands for sustainable formulation development


    7️⃣ 4. Croda International Plc

    Headquarters: Snaith, United Kingdom
    Key Offering: High-performance actives, Natural emulsifying systems, and Sustainable texturizers

    Croda is one of Europe’s leading suppliers of cosmetic ingredients, serving both prestige and mass-market brands. The company is heavily invested in green chemistry, particularly through bio-refining and plant-based extraction processes.

    Sustainability Initiatives:

    • Target of 75% of raw materials from bio-based sources by 2030

    • Eco-friendly manufacturing processes and waste minimization initiatives

    Download FREE Sample Report:
    Universal Base Material for Cosmetics Market – View in Detailed Research Report


    6️⃣ 5. DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

    Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
    Key Offering: Specialty silicones, Film formers, and Performance polymers

    DuPont’s nutrition and biosciences division delivers cosmetic ingredients and formulation solutions at more than 50 production sites globally. The company provides sustainable ingredient options and is advancing the logistics of natural material distribution across continents.

    Sustainability Initiatives:

    • Offers certified sustainable ingredients at multiple global supply chain points

    • Targets carbon neutrality across its cosmetic ingredients operations


    5️⃣ 6. DSM-Firmenich

    Headquarters: Kaiseraugst, Switzerland
    Key Offering: DSM-Firmenich Personal Care & Aroma ingredients

    DSM-Firmenich is the global market leader in sustainable cosmetic ingredients, supplying its proprietary bio-based materials to major beauty brands, contract manufacturers, and private label operators worldwide. Its ingredients are compatible with existing manufacturing equipment and formulation protocols.

    Sustainability Initiatives:

    • Current bio-based production: Over 500,000 tons/year

    • Target: 1 million tons/year by 2027


    4️⃣ 7. Evonik Industries AG

    Headquarters: Essen, Germany
    Key Offering: Natural emulsifiers, Rheology modifiers, and Specialty actives

    Evonik serves over 200 cosmetic companies with advanced ingredients and is the largest specialty chemicals provider in Europe. It plays a vital role in ingredient innovation across Western Europe and North America.

    Sustainability Initiatives:

    • Limited public bio-based ingredient involvement due to regional market constraints

    • R&D into bio-fermentation derived ingredients under corporate innovation programs


    3️⃣ 8. Givaudan SA

    Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
    Key Offering: Natural actives, Botanical extracts, and Sustainable fragrance ingredients

    Givaudan is Switzerland’s top cosmetic ingredient supplier, distributing materials to over 80 countries worldwide. It has developed Plant-inspired molecules and successfully tested bio-identical actives on both dermocosmetic and premium beauty products.

    Sustainability Initiatives:

    • Natural ingredient research and development
    • Corporate sustainability partnerships to scale green ingredient production

    2️⃣ 9. Lubrizol Corporation

    Headquarters: Wickliffe, Ohio, USA
    Key Offering: Advanced polymers, Delivery systems, and Performance ingredients

    Lubrizol is a key player in U.S. cosmetic ingredient manufacturing and distribution. Its sustainable chemistry initiative is converting existing production facilities into eco-efficient manufacturing sites.

    Sustainability Initiatives:

    • Aims to produce 50% of portfolio from sustainable sources by 2030

    • Major bio-based supply chain expansion underway


    1️⃣ 10. Eastman Chemical Company

    Headquarters: Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
    Key Offering: Solubilizers, Emollients, and Natural-derived texturizers

    Eastman specializes in the development of cosmetic ingredients, supporting over 5,000 beauty brands, manufacturers, and distributors worldwide. It is a leader in safe and sustainable ingredient development and circular economy initiatives.

    Sustainability Initiatives:

    • End-to-end sustainable ingredient solutions for global brands

    • Strategic partnerships with cosmetic companies for green formulation development

    Get Full Report Here:
    Universal Base Material for Cosmetics Market – View in Detailed Research Report


    🌍 Outlook: The Future of Universal Base Materials for Cosmetics Is Safer and More Sustainable

    The universal base material for cosmetics market is undergoing a dynamic shift. While traditional synthetic ingredients still dominate in volume, the industry is investing billions in natural alternatives, green chemistry technologies, and sustainable sourcing networks.

    📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

    • Rapid bio-based ingredient capacity expansion in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific
    • Regulatory push for cleaner ingredient lists and transparent labeling
    • Digitalization of ingredient supply chains and sustainability tracking
    • Beauty brand-ingredient company alliances for product safety and environmental impact reduction

    Get Full Report Here:
    Universal Base Material for Cosmetics Market – View in Detailed Research Report

    The companies listed above are not only supplying global beauty formulations—they’re spearheading the clean beauty transition of the cosmetics industry.