Breaking News on Cosmetics Formulation & Packaging - Europe US edition

Boots re-launches top-selling No7 Time Resisting range

UK personal care provider Boots has reformulated its worldwide best-selling anti-aging range No7 Time Resisting in an effort to further improve efficacy.

The dark side of light radiation in teeth bleaching

Light radiation used in teeth bleaching treatments may be both useless and dangerous, according to recent research.

Planet Skincare launches skin tightening range

The company that brought us anti-ageing products containing viper venom has launched a new anti-aging product including the skin tightening ingredient Pepha-Tight.

Pierre Fabre invests in dermo-cosmetic production

Pierre Fabre is investing €71m and creating 150 new jobs to increase production of its dermo-cosmetics products.

Cognis says sale rumours taken out of context

Cognis has told NutraIngredients.com the German ingredients giant will not be sold in the near-future despite suggestive statements emanating from the German press.

News in brief

Maesa appoints former L’Artisan Parfumeur president as CEO

France-based Maesa has appointed the former president of L’Artisan Parfumeur as its new chief executive officer.

News in brief

Eggar & Co to begin distributing Sasol Wax products in the UK

Safic-Alcan owned Eggar & Co is to begin distributing the personal care and pharmaceutical products of wax technology specialists Sasol Wax in the UK.

Slimming lip gloss hits British beauty shelves this spring

Huge Lips Skinny Hips, the lip gloss that includes an appetite suppressor, brings new meaning to the old adage ‘a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips’.

Evonik launches anti-ageing peptide at PCHI, China

A collagen boosting peptide and an emulsifier are among the new ingredients Evonik will be presenting at China’s PCHI show next month.

US FDA issues health warning about topical anaesthetics

Ignited by the global growth in the use of topical anaesthetics for cosmetic procedures, the US FDA has issued a health warning after a study concluded that the drug lidocaine carries risks.

Lipotec executive predicts cosmetics clean up

Economic storms will clear the dead wood from an increasingly crowded active ingredients market, says Lipotec executive.

Colgate-Palmolive confident for the year ahead

Amid a struggling global economy, Colgate-Palmolive has posted strong fourth quarter results and looks forward to higher profit margins in 2009.

Global toothpaste manufacturer taps into nanotechnology

Toothpaste manufacturer 3M ESPE has incorporated Indiana Nanotech’s calcium phosphate technology into its latest toothpaste launch.

Transparency the way forward for nanotechnology, body says

The cosmetic industry should avoid a ‘strategy of silence’ when it comes to nanotechnology, according to a recent report from the International Risk Governance Council (IRGC).

Blame for shampoo's carbon footprint falls on user

Over 90 percent of the carbon footprint of a shampoo is due to the usage phase, according to German company Henkel.

Ulric de Varens's sales slump in transition year

Ulric de Varens diversified into retail in 2008 with the opening of a network of perfume shops in France but reported a 10 per cent drop in sales.

Report underlines global divide for prestige beauty in 2008

A marked division between the performance of established and developing markets in the prestige beauty category in 2008 underlines the impact of the economic crisis.

Rohm & Haas sues Dow over failure to meet acquisition deadline

Rohm & Haas is suing Dow Chemical to enforce their proposed merger agreement that now appears to be on the brink of collapse.

Industry dragged feet over animal testing alternatives, says expert

Cosmetic ingredients suppliers have been slow off the mark when it comes to developing alternatives to animal tests, according to an industry insider.

New RFID tag perfect for cosmetics, claims manufacturer

The new RFID S-tag is perfect for small items like cosmetics and healthcare products, says manufacturer Avery Dennison RFID.

Unilever buys TIGI professional hair care business

Unilever is buying the TIGI professional hair product business from the owners of Toni & Guy for $411.5m in cash.

Weekly comment

Cosmetics regulation: navigating the minefield

European cosmetics regulation has long been a minefield of grey areas and contradictions, a point that is underlined by the struggle to ban the testing of cosmetics ingredients on animals.

Cosmetics Compact

Cosmetics Compact: Industry fights back against moisturiser, skin cancer claims

Dodgy statistics and unrealistic models were some of the criticisms thrown at the scientists whose study claimed a link between moisturiser use and tumour formation in mice with a high risk of skin cancer.

Beauty analyst unmasks the hottest ingredient trends

Mintel beauty analyst Nica Lewis looks into her cosmetics crystal ball and picks out the ingredients poised to shape the industry in the year ahead.

Inter Parfums suffers end of year sales dip

Inter Parfums has left its sales forecast for the year ahead unchanged despite reporting a 16 per cent decline in turnover to $100.6m for the final quarter of 2008.

CPL Aromas launches range of organic fragrance ingredients

CPL Aromas has released a range of 100 percent organic fragrance ingredients to meet the growing demand for certified organic products.

Lipotec targets Asia-Pacific region with new office in Singapore

Lipotec is opening a representative office in Singapore to develop a closer relationship with its customers and distributors in the Asia-Pacific region.

Conference to showcase algae petroleum alternative

A forthcoming conference in Belgium is to highlight a new algae-based alternative for petroleum-based products and bio fuels created by US company OriginOil.

Beiersdorf should abandon 2010 targets, says report

Bernstein Research has called on Beiersdorf to scrap its 2010 market share and margin targets, or risk damaging the business.

Scent emitting ads may help fragrance companies rebound in 2009

Advertiser JCDecaux will be bringing scent emitting units for fragrance advertising to UK airports with the introduction of its Innovate concepts to the country’s travel hubs.

PKB launches new vibrating bowl perfume pumps

PKB’s new generation of vibrating bowl perfume pumps promise to fill fragrance bottles quickly with greater reliability.

Rohm and Haas slashes 900 jobs in second round of cuts

Rohm and Haas is cutting 900 jobs in an effort to protect profits from the hostile economic environment.

NPD uncovers character of luxury beauty consumer

Research into the purchasing habits of shoppers at luxury beauty chains in Paris paints a portrait of loyal customers averse to impulse buying.

Industry responds to research into skin cancer, moisturiser link

A study that suggested common moisturisers may increase the rate of tumour formation in mice with a high skin cancer risk has provoked a storm within the industry.

Shiseido's fragrance subsidiary launches new designer perfume

Beaute Prestige International (BPI) is launching the latest fragrance offering from fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez this spring.

Skincode combines active ingredients and layer technology

Switzerland-base Skincode has launched a new line of anti-aging skin care products based on a combination of active ingredients known as ‘time rewinding’.

Analysts divided on health of Avon

Avon releases its fourth quarter results at the beginning of February but analysts disagree on the health of the direct seller in the current climate.

Danisco offers sustainable palm-based emulsifiers

Danisco is now offering sustainable options on its palm-based emulsifiers, as palm oil produced at certified sustainable plantations enters the marketplace.

French Cosmetics Day extends entente cordiale

The French Embassy in London is holding a trade event for French cosmetics manufacturers seeking closer commercial ties with the United Kingdom.

REACH legislation spells catch 22 over animal testing

The introduction of the REACH legislation has created a dilemma for cosmetic ingredients manufacturers over the issue of animal testing.

BASF announces 'significant decline' in business

BASF has announced that business ‘declined significantly’ in December forcing the company to reduce production and cut working hours.

News in brief

COSMEBIO appoints a development director

France-based COSMEBIO has appointed a development director to support the growth of the organic trade body.

Investigating p53 expression could enhance sunscreen efficacy tests

Looking directly at the expression of the p53 gene may be a more accurate way of testing how well a sunscreen protects against UV damage, according to a recent study.

Weekly comment

Beauty industry is not looking as ugly as it appears

Estee Lauder and Elizabeth Arden have endured a dismal holiday season but the beauty industry is not looking as ugly as the figures may suggest.

German perfume retailer will continue expansion plans in 2009

Domestic sales is the only area to experience growth for the perfume division of German retailer Douglas during the first quarter of the year.

Skin care range dedicated to tattoos is launched

Inkguard is a new skin care treatment aimed at the ever-growing number of people with tattoos who want to safeguard the appearance of their cherished body art.

Nestle should resist the temptation to acquire L'Oreal, says report

Nestle can’t, shouldn’t and probably won’t mount a takeover bid for L’Oreal, according to a new report from Bernstein Research.

Cosmetics makers tap into Rexam Prodigio lotion pumps

Following its recent launch, Rexam says that an increasingly diverse array of European personal care providers have included its Prodigio airless pump.

LibraGen launches range of stable polyphenols for cosmetics

France-based LibraGen is looking for partners to help develop its range of stable polyphenol compounds for cosmetics products.

Asian researchers tap into herbal anti-ageing properties

A joint research project involving teams from Malaysia and South Korea claims to have unlocked the anti-ageing properties of the kacip fatimah herb.

Regulation and new technologies are in the spotlight at China's PCHi

China’s personal care and homecare ingredients show will be offering conferences and symposiums on technology, regulation and formulation as part of its programme.

Report slams L'Oreal management and predicts tough 2009

L’Oreal has been trading on past glories and is beginning to pay the price for years of mismanagement, according to a new report from Bernstein Research.

Direct sellers stand to benefit in a recession, says trade association

Direct sellers stand to benefit during a recession as recruiting sales representatives gets easier and consumers turn to low price products, according to the US Direct Selling Association (DSA).

Study points to risk of cancer in alcohol-based mouthwash

Studies carried out at the University of Melbourne suggest that many commonly available mouthwashes may pose medical risks such as cancer.

Worst December sales slump on record for UK retailers

Struggling health and beauty retailers were in good company this Christmas as all sectors except food and footwear suffered a drop in sales.

Lipotec’s ingredient marries moisturisation with exfoliation

Lipotec’s new ingredient uses an enzyme present in papaya to help exfoliate and moisturise.

International survey uncovers cosmetic resilience

An international survey of buying habits suggests the economic downturn will not take a large bite out of the global cosmetics market but revealed very different attitudes across countries.

Personal care bucks downward retail sales trend

The December trade retail sales figures from the US Department of Commerce reveal that the personal care category is a shining star amid poor overall figures.

Rhodia acquires McIntyre to build up cosmetics business

France-based Rhodia has acquired the US McIntyre Group to build on its presence in the personal care and oil surfactant categories as a means of maintaining growth.

Weekly comment

Not all nanoparticles are created equal

It is clear that nanoparticles may behave differently from their macro counterparts; however, the tendency to lump them all together is misguided.

Beiersdorf's preliminary results reveal resilience

Beiersdorf’s cosmetics business has held up strongly against the challenging economic tide but its adhesives unit Tesa struggled to retain positive growth figures, according to preliminary financial data for 2008.

Maesa completes acquisition of Zorbit

Maesa has completed the acquisition of fellow contract manufacturer Zorbit, significantly extending its foothold in the US beauty market.

Retailers give away millions of dollars of cosmetics in legal settlement

Beauty consumers affected by a price-fixing scandal will have the chance to get their own back on leading retailers in a $175m cosmetics giveaway this month.

Industry needs a universal way to communicate UVA protection, says Professor

Unlike the SPF value, there is no universal index to convey a product’s UVA protection to the consumer. Brian Diffey, an emeritus Professor of Photobiology at the University of Newcastle, argues that harmonization is long overdue and gives details on a new method he has published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science.

Dutch chemical company files for bankruptcy for US operations

US operations of a Netherlands-based chemical giant have filed for reorganization under Chapter 11, including the fragrance and flavour division Millenium.

Natural and organic cosmetics tipped to resist downturn

Industry insiders predict that natural and organic cosmetics will hold up well in 2009 even if they do not enjoy the dramatic sales growth of previous years.

Maurer & Wirtz appoints new managing director

Germany-based perfume manufacturer Maurer & Wirtz has appointed a new managing director to extend the presence of its brands in international markets.

Aerosol specialist acquires German filler Czewo

ColepCCL, which supplies the personal care industry with aerosol based products, has completed the acquisition of Czewo Full Filling Service in order to fulfil the growing demands for outsourcing.

Financial crisis snuffs out perfume retailer

The economic downturn has continued to eat into British town centers taking the perfume retailer Passion for Perfume as its latest victim.

Lipotec expands international reach with Italian subsidiary

Spanish ingredients player Lipotec is targeting the Italian market with the opening of a new subsidiary in the country.

Beauty retailer suffers weak sales in holiday period

After a disappointing holiday period, cosmetics and beauty retailer Ulta has reduced its annual guidance figures.

Helen of Troy posts sharp fall in quarterly sales and profits

Helen of Troy has reported a slump in sales and profits that it blames on deteriorating economic conditions and the strength of the dollar.

Packaging launch promises to reduce costs of new designs

Sun Chemical and Keating Specialist Cylinders have launched a concept after years of research and development to help brand owners to apply different packaging effects more cost-effectively.

Thistle helps skin recover after cosmetic treatments, says supplier

Cotton thistle extract can help repair and restructure damaged skin, according to French ingredients supplier Gattefossé.

Estee Lauder in trouble over 'instant' wrinkle filler

Estée Lauder is the latest company to run into trouble with the UK advertising standards agency (ASA) for making claims about its product that could not be supported.

Genencor strikes up biochemical research partnership with BRAIN

Danisco subsidiary Genencor has joined forces with biotechnology firm BRAIN to pursue biochemical research and develop new petroleum-free products.

Settlement reached by P&G in patent infringement case

Fruit of the Earth has agreed to remove products from its portfolio that were deemed to infringe a number of Procter & Gamble (P&G) patents.

Religion turns people off nanotechnology, says study

Europeans are more open to nanotechnology than Americans, according to a report published in Nature Nanotechnology journal.

Frutarom starts year with Oxford acquisition

Frutarom has made a confident start to 2009, putting its rapid growth strategy into action once more with an agreement to acquire UK flavour and fragrance ingredients firm Oxford.

French direct seller is saved from bankruptcy

After nearly 18 months of difficulties the French direct seller Lexel Cosmétiques has found a partner and can continue trading.

Sniffing out the science behind the ‘Lynx effect’

The famous ‘Lynx effect’ may not be mere marketing according to researchers looking into the psychology of deodorant and fragrance products.

New lipstick pigment adds shine and disguises wrinkles, says Shiseido

A new lipstick pigment combines vivid shine whilst helping to diminish the appearance of lip lines and wrinkles, says manufacturer Shiseido.

New labeling rules for cochineal bug coloring

Cosmetic, food and beverage manufacturers that color their products with carmine and cochineal extract must now declare the ingredients on the label under a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruling.

Organic beauty not yet mainstream

Organic products are still not mainstream, despite all the attention given to the market sector, according to a study from the TABS group.

Cosmetics inspired by cartoon glamour girl

Too Faced Cosmetics is hoping to attract girls of all ages with its Smurfette Color Cosmetics range.

Agreement signed to turn waste into cosmeceutical ingredients

New Zealand-based Industrial Research Ltd (IRL) has struck up a partnership with Fomana Capital to enable the company to develop high-value cosmeceutical and nutraceutical products from waste.