PCHi is slated to take place from March 18 to 20 at Hangzhou Grand Convention & Exhibition Center, with the event featuring an expanded conference programme this year.
Ahead of the trade show, CosmeticsDesign-Asia spoke with Shun Obikane, Data Scientist, Data Science Group, Advanced Technology Research Laboratory at KOSÉ Corporation, to hear how advanced technologies like quantum computing-based algorithms could shape and accelerate cosmetic formulations.
After joining KOSÉ in 2020, Obikane has built on his academic background in deep-learning-based domain adaptation for medical image analysis. He has been involved in a diverse range of projects spanning academic research to data-driven business analysis.
Since 2021, he has been engaged in materials informatics for formulation design, where he developed a proprietary quantum-computing-based automatic formulation generation algorithm. This research was applied to the development of Decorté’s AQ Pore Blackhead Dissolver.
Using mathematical and computational methodologies as a foundation, KOSÉ looks to continue advancing research and generating new value within the beauty industry.
CDA: What does quantum computing-based algorithm mean?
Shun Obikane: Quantum computing-based algorithms are basically a way to efficiently find better combinations from a very large number of options. While conventional computers generally evaluate candidates one by one, quantum algorithms can explore many possibilities at the same time.
This strength is particularly useful for problems with extremely large and complex combinations, such as exploring cosmetic formulation candidates.
CDA: How does this technology contribute to innovative cosmetic formulation generation?
Shun Obikane: Our technology enables formulation exploration beyond the limits of human thinking. In conventional cosmetic formulation development, researchers’ experience and accumulated knowledge play an essential role. At the same time, these approaches are inherently limited by human bias as well as time and cost constraints.
Our computational approach identified formulation combinations that even experienced developers had not anticipated. As a result, formulation possibilities can be explored in a broader and more systematic manner.
CDA: What are the opportunities rising from the emergence of technologies such as quantum computing-based algorithm and artificial intelligence?
Shun Obikane: These technologies both emulate parts of the human development process and provide new insights to developers. In this sense, they function as a kind of partner, enabling developers to focus on more advanced and creative work. As a result, scientific progress in the cosmetics industry is likely to accelerate.
Meanwhile, final decisions still rest with humans, meaning that developers will be required to possess deeper knowledge and think more critically than before. Rather than making development easier, these technologies may ultimately make the field more demanding and competitive.
CDA: What are the biggest barriers to application and commercialisation? How can these be overcome?
Shun Obikane: The biggest barrier is not the technology itself, but the lack of a solid foundation to understand and apply it across disciplines. Because these are still emerging technologies, efforts often stop at the proof-of-concept stage, and expectations can run ahead of reality.
At this stage, it is important not to overpromise, but to steadily build practical examples and focus on creating a foundation that allows these computational technologies to take root in the cosmetics industry.
CDA: What key takeaways do you hope attendees will gain from your session at PCHi 2026?
Shun Obikane: In our session, I hope attendees will see quantum computing not as something complex or distant, but as a new way of thinking for cosmetic R&D.
Rather than thinking about cosmetic phenomena as inherently complex, I believe it is important to simplify them, focus on their essence, and consider how they can be represented on a computer.
Through this new perspective, I hope participants will gain insights that help expand the possibilities of future cosmetic development.
For more information on PCHi 2026, visit www.pchi-china.com/en. CosmeticsDesign-Asia is proud to support PCHi 2026 as a Media Partner.
