Croda’s Silverfree™ selected for K18’s new FutureIQ™ biomimetic hair longevity serum

11 November 2026: Croda International Plc has announced that Silverfree™, its innovative cosmetic peptide designed to reduce the appearance of grey hair, features in K18's new FutureIQ™ biomimetic¹ Hair Longevity Serum. 

K18 is one of the fastest-growing brands in premium haircare and its products are used by professional stylists and consumers in more than 100 countries. Unilever acquired K18 in a deal announced in December 2023, and the brand now sits within the Unilever Prestige portfolio.

The launch builds on Croda’s long-standing relationship with Unilever and demonstrates how close collaboration, technical expertise and a deep understanding of customer needs can help bring new ideas to market.

Silverfree was selected following close collaboration between Croda specialists and customer teams developing solutions for hair longevity. Throughout the project, formulation support and ingredient recommendations helped take the concept from development through to launch.

For consumers, Silverfree offers a way to tackle grey hair at its source rather than covering it up. It works inside the hair follicle to gradually restore natural hair colour, while helping protect against the oxidative stress that contributes to greying. In clinical studies, Silverfree™ visibly reduced white hair density by up to 86% and helped restore natural hair pigmentation. A remnant effect was also demonstrated, with hair repigmentation maintained for at least four months after the last application.

The project reflects a partnership-led approach, combining market insight and innovation to address emerging consumer needs. The launch highlights how science-led innovation can help customers respond to changing consumer expectations.

Frédéric de Baene, R&D Director, Actives said: “Silverfree reflects the depth of peptide science within Croda. Our scientists designed a biomimetic peptide that works with the hair follicle’s natural biology to help restore its authentic pigmentation, rather than simply masking grey hair. Backed by four independent clinical studies, it shows how precise, science-led design can deliver visible results that consumers can trust”

Sandra Breene, President, Consumer Care, commented: "The most successful innovations begin with understanding where consumer needs are heading and working closely with customers to help bring new ideas to life. The launch of K18's FutureIQ serum is a great example of the power of collaboration, combining customer insight, scientific expertise and technical support to create innovative solutions for consumers.

"We are proud to see Silverfree included in this launch and look forward to continuing to support our customers as they develop the next generation of beauty and personal care products."

¹ Biomimetic: Refers to the practice of mimicking or drawing inspiration from nature’s designs, processes, and systems to solve complex human challenges and create sustainable innovations (e.g., studying how burrs stick to dog fur to invent Velcro).

ENDS

For more information, please contact:
Mariana Wood, Croda Press Office
07780 987136
media.enquiries@croda.com

Notes to editors

Croda International Plc uses smart science to create high-performance ingredients and solutions relied on by industries and consumers worldwide. Its technology is found in everyday products ranging from sun protection and skincare creams to life-saving pharmaceuticals and crop-enhancing formulations. Its innovation-led growth strategy is driven through customer co-creation, new applications for existing ingredients and faster new-ingredient development.

Its Consumer Care and Life Sciences businesses hold top-three positions in Beauty, Pharma and Agriculture, end-markets with strong structural growth and deep innovation requirements:

• In Beauty, Croda is behind some of the world’s most successful brands. It is a strategic partner to every major beauty brand globally and its science is embedded in customers’ products, claims and approvals. 
• Pharma provides ingredients and solutions for a wide range of different drugs and vaccines including speciality excipients, vaccine adjuvants and lipids for drug delivery, as well as ingredients used in health care. 
• In Agriculture, Crop Protection offers adjuvants and formulation aids that improve performance and delivery of crop protection products whilst Seed Enhancement provides technologies to improve germination, stimulate development of seeds and increase crop yields.  

With a shared purpose to use ‘Smart science to improve lives’™, and with the majority of its organic raw materials already derived from bio-based sources, Croda is committed to becoming Climate, Nature and People Positive by 2030.

Headquartered in the UK, Croda was founded in 1925, listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1964 and is a FTSE 100 company with over 5,900 employees across 91 locations in 36 countries. It serves more than 17,000 customers globally and 2025 revenues were £1.7 billion.


Croda Beauty 
 
At Croda Beauty, we’re innovating for a beautiful world, one experience at a time. We craft trend-setting ingredients that redefine beauty standards and surpass expectations. With cutting-edge technology and capabilities in functional ingredients, actives and botanicals, along with our extensive formulation expertise, we can help you stand out and build an enduring brand in the global beauty industry. 

For more information on Silverfree™, visit: Silverfree™ | Croda Beauty