Naturals and organics

Image: Getty

6 hair care brands focusing on ingredients innovation

By Kirsty Doolan

Hair care is officially the category to watch in 2024, with an increased focus on scalp health, scientific innovation, and cutting-edge ingredients. Take a look at these brands that are innovating in this space...

Sterland said that Weleda is aiming to find packaging that can preserve its products without causing any damage to the planet

Circularity in the beauty industry: Q&A with MD at Weleda UK

By Kirsty Doolan

With a barrage of new regulations and consumer pressure, sustainability and circularity have never been so important for the industry. We spoke to Weleda about its regenerative model and how other companies can become more circular.

Samaras said that Unilever R&D has around 12,000 microbiome samples from consumers of all ages, from all over the world, to get the fullest understanding of the skin

Innovating for Generation Alpha: Q&A with a Unilever R&D expert

By Kirsty Doolan

While the ‘tweens in Sephora’ headlines have raised a lot of eyebrows and some deeper concerns, it’s clear that Generation Alpha has a thirst for beauty products based on science and can potentially alter the future industry landscape.

Soeder hopes that its practices can showcase how other beauty and personal care brands can start to establish fully circular processes

Start the week with a startup: Soeder

By Kirsty Doolan

Every fortnight we talk to a game-changer startup brand about why it exists and how it plans to change the industry. This week we spoke to founders of the personal care brand Soeder, Hanna and Johan Olzon Åkerström, about its circular business model,...

Could the 'skinification' of hair further combine with the wellness movement this year? (Image: Getty)

What's new in the 'skinification' of hair care?

By Sarah Cohen

Actives traditionally used in skin care, as well as skin care-related regimes and claims are becoming more commonplace in the hair care category, as consumers take more interest in holistic hair wellness.

There has been a resurgence of interest in hair relaxers, which appears to be driven by social media (Image:Getty)

5 Black hair care trends to watch in 2024

By Keysha Davis

Black hair care remains a dynamic sector within the hair category, with styling trends and methods continuing to shapeshift at a rapid pace.

Fragrances may soon be able to mimic the DNA of individuals and align with their emotional states (Image: Getty)

Using AI for fragrance creation and innovation

By Sarah Cohen

To think of your favourite perfume in a purely scientific manner can dampen the magic a little, but it seems there is a formula when it comes to engaging the senses – and AI is giving perfumers a tool with which to find it.

SLS is widely used in shampoos and soaps for its cleansing and foaming properties  (Image: Getty)

Exploring EU regulations: SLS in cosmetics

By Kirsty Doolan

As the final story in our three-part series about regulations for the most misunderstood cosmetics and personal care ingredients, we focus on sodium lauryl sulfate, known as SLS. We explore why this ingredient was in the spotlight, and speak to regulatory...

Beauty Forward 2024 Europe speakers…

Meet the Beauty Forward 2024 Europe speakers…

By Kirsty Doolan

On Tuesday 30th January at 2.30pm (GMT)/3.30pm (CET), we will air a two-hour broadcast dedicated to uncovering the mindset and values of the ‘next generation consumer’. As we unveil beauty industry trends for 2024 and beyond, we’ll put a special focus...

Image: Getty

8 plant-based packaging innovations

By Kirsty Doolan

As changing regulations propel beauty brands to find new packaging solutions, bio-based packaging can be an option. Here’s a round-up of some of the latest plant-based packaging innovations…

In Europe, mineral oil is tightly regulated for use in cosmetics (Image: Getty)

Exploring EU regulations: Mineral oil in cosmetics

By Kirsty Doolan

As the second story in our three-part series about regulations for the most misunderstood cosmetic and personal care ingredients, we spoke to regulatory consultant at regulations and testing company CE.Way, Taja Plut, about the current scientific understanding...

Use of plant milking technology is set to be a big trend for the cosmetics industry this year (Image: Clariant)

What you need to know about plant milking for cosmetic ingredients

By Plant milking: what you need to know

Plant milking was pioneered over 15 years ago by French biotech company Plant Advanced Technologies and it’s back on the agenda this year, as the pressure is on to find more sustainable ways to work with plant-based beauty ingredients.

(Image: Getty)

Designing and branding synthesised ‘natural’ beauty products

By Kirsty Doolan

When a cosmetic or personal care product has been created with a biopharmed ‘plant-based’ ingredient rather than one from nature, should traditional design codes for ‘natural’ or ‘clean’ beauty go out of the window? Where do you start with designing and...

Certifications like B Corp can be helpful to assess the impact of a business, as well as showcase ESG credentials to potential customers or employees

Should your business get B Corp-certified?

By Kirsty Doolan

With a spotlight being shone on all aspects of environmental, social and governance (ESG), being awarded certifications from a body such as B Corp can help prove your credentials to potential customers and likeminded businesses. We spoke to some brands...

More businesses may face accusations of 'greenwashing' as we head into 2024 (Image:Getty)

How can you avoid ‘greenwashing’ accusations?

By Kirsty Doolan

As 2024 dawns among a flurry of new EU regulations designed to make our industry more sustainable, it’s clear that the topic of how to avoid greenwashing claims should be top of every business agenda.

Selfnamed said it's aimed at entrepreneurs looking to start or expand their skin care business; to enable them to sell their own products and build their own brand

Start the week with a startup: Selfnamed

By Kirsty Doolan

Every fortnight we talk to a game-changer startup business about why it exists and how it plans to transform the industry. This week we spoke to CEO and co-founder of Selfnamed, Anete Vabule, about how it plans to make it easier for budding entrepreneurs...

Microbiome-related claims are just one of the drivers for the oral care category (Image: Getty)

What’s driving the oral care category now?

By Kirsty Doolan

The focus on holistic wellness in recent years has boosted the oral care market, as more people realise the link between maintaining oral hygiene and having better general health. We explore what else is driving the category as we venture into 2024…

Spotlight on ‘stress-relief’ beauty

Spotlight on ‘stress-relief’ beauty

By Kirsty Doolan

Neurocosmetics, psychodermatology, or stress-relief beauty. Whatever you want to call it, there is an uprising of new brands and ingredients that are aiming to help people battle the stress epidemic via their beauty and personal care routines.

WGSN reveals beauty trends for 2024 and beyond

WGSN reveals beauty trends for 2024 and beyond

By Kirsty Doolan

Trend forecaster WGSN has released its predictions for the cosmetics industry for next year. Scroll through to discover the trends and see the AI-generated images it has used to illustrate them.