Lucas Meyer Cosmetics by Clariant has unveiled AlgaSurge at PCHi 2026 in Hangzhou, positioning it as a vegan PDRN ingredient designed to mimic the benefits of hyaluronic acid while lowering in-formula cost. The company said the ingredient is derived from lab-grown red microalgae through blue biotechnology.
Performance and Clinical Data
The company said AlgaSurge is a highly purified sulfated polysaccharide hydrogel that biomimics hyaluronic acid and serves as a botanical source of PDRN. In in vitro testing, it was found to reinforce the extracellular matrix, increase hyaluronic acid production, and support autophagy-related activity linked to skin longevity.
In a clinical study involving 90 women aged 35 to 65, participants applied either 1% AlgaSurge, 1% hyaluronic acid, or a placebo twice daily for 28 days. The company said AlgaSurge delivered 15% more plumpness and 12% more radiance after one hour and, after 28 days, showed lower transepidermal water loss, fewer wrinkles, and improved radiance versus 1% hyaluronic acid.
China Formulation Relevance
Lucas Meyer Cosmetics said it chose PCHi for the global launch because Chinese consumers are increasingly focused on fast-acting results, ingredient science, and pricing sensitivity. For the trade, the ingredient’s relevance lies in its attempt to combine efficacy, cost control, and vegan positioning in one claim platform. This last point is an inference based on the company’s stated launch rationale and performance claims.
