The specific update
On 8 October 2026, BASF announced new volatility insights in Emollient Maestro in its preview of SEPAWA in Berlin. This is an enhancement to an existing digital tool, not the discovery of a new class of oils. According to the supplier, the aim is better-informed selection of emollient blends, including volatile alternatives to silicones and other light emollients.
Why volatility matters
Emollients help shape the feel of a cream or serum. Yet initial spreading is not the whole experience: what remains a few minutes later also matters. Volatility describes a component’s tendency to evaporate under specified conditions; it is not synonymous with skin absorption. The wet sensation disappearing faster does not, by itself, demonstrate better hydration or improved penetration of actives.
Digital selection can help define a more precise brief: are we seeking short-lived slip, a dry finish or longer massage time? These are different objectives, and one blend will not necessarily achieve them all.
What the supplier says
BASF’s current service page describes the Light Silicone Feel and Volatility Insights features. It outlines comparisons of physicochemical and sensory profiles against reference emollients and the use of selection filters. This is the provider’s description of its service. We do not present it as an independent assessment or a guarantee of equivalence in a finished cream.
The research context
A preprint uploaded to arXiv on 27 February 2026 discusses predictive modelling and simulations for selecting combinations of cosmetic ingredients. The upload date alone does not mean that the approach originated in 2026. The preprint is research material, not in itself evidence of independently peer-reviewed clinical efficacy. We do not transfer its general conclusions to a particular product.
A practical approach for an own-brand project
Our editorial recommendation is to let the model narrow the shortlist and the laboratory make the decision:
- Describe the reference feel and assessment times: immediately, after five minutes and after fifteen minutes.
- Select a small number of candidates and compare them in the same base, using the same application quantity.
- Record spreading, tackiness, residual film and fragrance compatibility separately.
- Check stability and behaviour in the intended packaging; changing the oil phase may require adjustments to the emulsifying system.
- Support environmental claims with specific data rather than assuming that plant origin automatically makes the finished product more sustainable.
The useful innovation here is a better-targeted experiment. We do not claim that PIBU LAB has used this service or verified its results. Start a product brief with the desired feel, format and packaging, rather than the promise of a “silicone replacement” alone.
