Today, brands are designing products that engage the skin at a biological and sensory level, tapping into the growing science of neurocosmetics. By working with the skin–brain axis, neurocosmetics aim to influence stress responses, sensory perception, and overall skin comfort, adding a new layer to product performance and consumer experience.
Covalo provides a unique window into how brands and formulation teams are exploring this space. By analyzing searches, engagement, and department activity, we can see not only what ingredients are trending, but also how, where, and by whom neurocosmetics are being developed. Here are the key insights you can’t miss out on:
When it comes to neurocosmetics, one ingredient class clearly leads the conversation: peptides. Covalo data shows that peptide-related searches peaked in January 2026 at around 13,000 searches, with November 2025 also showing strong activity at approximately 10,000 searches. This dominance highlights that peptides are central to neurocosmetic development strategies.
Secondary neurocosmetics claims – like calming or sensory – are steadily gaining traction. Engagement peaked in December 2025, with roughly 75,000 interactions, reflecting heightened interest in wellness-related ingredients heading into the new year.
The neurocosmetic category is formulation-led. On Covalo, the Formulation Development department accounted for nearly 30% of all searches, making it the primary driver of neurocosmetic exploration. Technical roles dominate the top three, with Product Development Technologists and Consultants together representing around 64% of total searches.
Innovation teams also show strong engagement, with about 10% of searches, highlighting that neurocosmetics are being explored not only for existing product ranges but also for future pipelines. Even Sales and Supply Chain teams are participating, signaling that neurocosmetics are becoming a commercial priority, not just a technical curiosity.
For brands, these insights reinforce that neurocosmetics are actively being designed into products, rather than simply marketed as a wellness angle. Understanding where formulation focus is strongest can help teams benchmark innovation and identify collaboration opportunities across departments.
Activity peaks in late Q4 2025 and early January 2026, aligning with post-summer planning and new-year product development cycles. Dips in September and February suggest quieter periods for R&D searches. Seasonality can inform launch timing, ingredient promotions, and formulation planning, ensuring products hit the market when innovation interest is highest.
France leads with around 15,000 searches, nearly three times the US volume, reinforcing its role as a global beauty innovation hub. Western Europe overall dominates, with France, Switzerland, UK, Denmark, and Germany contributing over half of total searches.
APAC markets are showing early momentum. Singapore and South Korea are emerging as hotspots for premium skincare innovation. Meanwhile, the US trails behind at around 5,000 searches, highlighting an opportunity to grow awareness and adoption in North America.
Brands can use this geographic intelligence to prioritize markets for neurocosmetic launches, align marketing strategies, and identify regions where R&D investment may yield the greatest impact.
Covalo’s data makes one thing clear: neurocosmetics are much more than a wellness trend. They represent a science-driven framework for product development, combining:
Brands that leverage these insights can develop products that truly connect with both technical and experiential expectations, from R&D to shelf.
With Covalo – the world’s largest ingredients platform – brands can search, track, and manage neurocosmetic ingredients all in one place. This allows teams to make data-driven formulation decisions, discover emerging trends, and plan innovation pipelines with confidence.
Find out in which direction neurocosmetics are evolving and explore full ingredient information on Covalo today!