Breaking News on Cosmetics Formulation & Packaging - Europe US edition

Conference lifts lid on confusing regulation procedures

Addressing one of the most pressing issues for cosmetic manufacturers across the globe, Intertech Pira has released the date of a conference that will focus on the implications of the recent REACH implementation within cosmetics.

UK cosmetics packaging company pulls out of China

The financial burden of setting-up a production plant in China has forced the owners of a cosmetics packaging firm to call in the administrators and sell the business.

Filipino personal care company to expand into international markets

A leading Filipino personal care player has announced its aim to expand further into international markets for natural-based products; a move it hopes to fund through its share flotation.

International manufacturers seek EU organic certification

Due to the shortfall in legislation and regulation in the ever growing US organic and naturals market, manufacturers are increasingly looking to EU certification for product ranges.

Costs and ad spend hit Alberto Culver profits

Leading personal care player Alberto says that an increased ad spend and a rising costs have led to an 18 per cent drop in net profits, despite the fact that sales for the third quarter grew at well above market rates.

Holistic skin care to become a way of life?

Adopting a holistic approach to skin care, a UK company has released a range of products targeting the growing number of UK consumers who are seeking health and wellness qualities from their personal care products.

Moroccan argan oil cosmetics bound for international markets

A recently established supplier of body care products based on argan oil, the increasingly popular natural ingredient, is to expand to the US.

Sun cream to protect against jellyfish stings

Norwegian scientists are currently recruiting for volunteers to take part in studies of an anti-jellyfish sting agent incorporated into a sunscreen - a product which is likely to be in high demand as jellyfish populations are soaring.

Strong cosmetics growth but profits disappoint at LVMH

Luxury French brand LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, has recorded 6 per cent sales growth in its first half, boosted significantly by fragrance sales within its fragrance and cosmetics division, but despit this profit figures fail to shine.

Enhanced distribution helps boost Inter Parfums

Inter Parfums has announced significant sales growth in both its European and North American operations, boosted by distribution agreements in Europe, new launches and the continued strength of key brands.

Colgate reports double-digit sales and profit growth

As savings from restructuring kick in, oral and personal care giant Colgate-Palmolive has reported a robust quarter, with sales significantly boosted by a raft of international product launches.

Is magazine revenue from cosmetic ads really rising?

Recently published figures showing strong revenue growth from magazine advertising for cosmetic goods paint a misleadingly rosy picture, say industry experts.

Male grooming goes natural

A new personal care range that claims to be the first natural mainstream male grooming line of its kind has been launched in the UK.

Misleading L'Oreal mascara adverts banned in the UK

The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) in the UK has ruled that L'Oreal remove both the TV and the press adverts for their Telescopic mascara setting a new precedent for the industry as a whole.

Questions still remain over market potential in Africa

The failure of the Tanzanian regulatory authorities to curb the spread of harmful cosmetic products raises the issue of Africa's suitability as an export market.

Is the cosmetics industry going back-to-basics?

The micro-segmentation trend that has led to confusion among consumers is headed for a change, or will die out altogether as manufacturers go 'back-to-basics' a new report claims.

Algatechnologies to expand into the Polish market

Algatechnologies, an Israeli biotechnology company specialising in algal antioxidants, has announced its plans to expand into Poland, hoping to cash in on growth in the emerging Central and Eastern European markets.

Boots take-over bid under pressure

The much-hyped Alliance Boots take-over by private equity firm Kohlburg Kravis Roberts (KKR) could be in jeopardy as investors fail to come forward to buy out €9bn ($18.5bn) worth of debt that comes hand in hand with the acquisition.

Oriflame branch out into oral hygiene market

Swedish direct sales agent Oriflame has broken new ground with the launch of its first toothpaste last week - incorporating a tooth-whitening product to capitalise on the booming whitening market.

New ingredient for the repair of photoaged skin

A recently patented ingredient based on naturally occurring skin lipids promises to reduce wrinkles and improve the texture of photoaged skin, reflecting further specialization in the anti-aging market.

Online cosmetic sites innovate with outside help

Yet another cosmetics company is outsourcing to an independent marketing group to create a website that fully benefits from the profitable internet consumer.

Premium manufacturers benefit from increase in Indian air travellers

Prestige cosmetic manufacturers are predicted to begin adjusting their travel retail product ranges in an attempt to capitalise on increasing Indian consumers holidaying abroad.

Adverse reactions to cosmetic filler in eye area

A study suggests that polylactic acid (PLA) an injectable cosmetic filler previously deemed to be safe and reliable can lead to permanent facial scarring in certain patients.

EU launches consultation on nanotech code

The EU yesterday launched a consultation on a voluntary code of conduct researchers and companies can use when developing nanotechnology products.

US demand for Boots skincare range soars

US consumers have joined in the frenzy for the UK's Boots No7 brand, with over half the Restore & Renew anti-wrinkle serum stock being sold out within the first 30 minutes at a CVS store.

Daily use of sunscreen may lower cancer risk later in life

A long-term Australian cohort study suggests that daily application of sunscreen may lower the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma years after treatment has stopped.

Beiersdorf rides straight hair trend

Beiersdorf is hoping to cash in on this season's beauty trend for straight hair with the launch of a new Nivea straightening range - developed to reduce the need for the use of irons that are said to be damaging to the hair.

L'Oreal fights back from racism charge

Leading cosmetic giant L'Oreal is coming up trumps despite the recent racism case brought against the company, with a rise in quarterly sales and the acquisition of US stores.

Fragrance free work place unlikely to become reality

A US lawsuit pushing for fragrance free work environments is described as 'unrealistic' by Allergy UK, who instead advocate a recognition of the Multiple Chemical Sensitivity as a genuine illness.

Skin care helps drive J&J results

New Jersey-based pharmaceutical and personal care provider Johnson & Johnson says that one of the main driving forces behind its industry-leading sales growth has been sales of skin care products.

French perfumer creates online flagship store

A French perfumer has launched an online boutique following the success of its fragrance store, in turn riding the growing phenomenon for online shopping.

EU unveils date for nanotechnology progress report

The European Commission is set to present a report on the implementation progress of its Nanotechnology Action Plan - which is set to influence the role nanotechnology plays in the cosmetics and personal care industries in Europe.

Labelling system signals product expiration period

A recent study has highlighted that female consumers are holding on to their makeup products for too long, providing opportunities for manufacturers to create labelling innovations to further monitor the shelf life of cosmetic products.

Unilever consolidates UK operations

In a bid to get more competitive in the UK market, Unilever is consolidating its personal consumer goods and food businesses under fewer managers.

Beiersdorf plan more overseas acquistions

Personal care giant Beiersdorf is striving to stay abreast of competitors outside of Europe, with more acquisitions planned in China and the US.

The Body Shop produces first cosmetics using sustainable palm oil

Growing concerns regarding irresponsible palm oil production has led The Body Shop to announce an initiative to introduce sustainable palm oil into cosmetic manufacturing.

Chinese toothpaste crisis continues

The Chinese oral care industry is being further impacted following the news that the UK is now joining the list of countries announcing that hazardous toothpaste products, believed to originate from the country, are being found on the counterfeit market.

Sunscreen advice ignored despite increased awareness of cancer

A new survey has revealed that despite more UK consumers being worried about skin cancer than a decade ago, they are still slow on the uptake of protective sunscreens as a preventative measure against harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Interview

ECVAM seeks greater co-operation for industry regulation

With REACH laws implemented and a total ban for the testing of cosmetic ingredients on animals looming ever closer, industry players must adapt their business operations to comply with the new regulations. Likewise, industry will have to contribute significantly to ensure that such regulation can be implemented smoothly.

Spain withdraws Chinese toothpaste from the oral care market

Spanish authorities have instigated an EU-wide response to hazardous toothpaste products originating from China, with the announcement that it is to withdraw certain brands from the Spanish market.

L'Oreal acquires major salon hair care provider

The US division of the world's largest cosmetics company has acquired Maly's West, the third largest beauty salon distributor in the US, as consolidation in the professional hair care market continues apace.

Organic based company rides internet trend

A UK natural cosmetic company has made a bid to broaden its target audience by creating an online service to meet growing consumer demands for easy purchase of cosmetic products.

Silab creates skin depigmentation ingredient

French ingredients provider Silab has created a new skin depigmentation biology concept said to help reduce skin-aging spots created by aging and over exposure to UV rays.

Estee Lauder buys up Canadian prestige hair care company

Estée Lauder has agreed to acquire Ojon Corporation, a privately held prestige hair care company based in Canada, in a bid to extend its reach in the naturals premium hair care category as well as increasing its distribution capabilities throughout North America.

Commission takes action against Hungary's packaging tax

The European Commission demand that Hungary remove taxes on packaging designed to penalise foreign companies could be the start of the dismantling of such barriers to trade.

Anti-wrinkle treatment targets male skin needs

French cosmetology company Sederma announces the release of its anti wrinkle treatment for men, targeting the growing market for male skin care products with a product line developed to treat the specific needs of male skin.

Cosi draws on both natural and synthetic for 2008 trend unveiling

Creative Outsourcing Solutions International (Cosi) has unveiled two new ranges for its spring/summer 2008 collection, highlighting the importance of synthetic materials in performance colour cosmetics, whilst also adhering to the booming naturals trend.

European Commission tightens labelling regulation for sunscreens

The European Commission issued an information initiative yesterday that requires sunscreen manufacturers to amend all sunscreen labels by next summer, in an attempt to further educate consumers on the perils of over exposure to the sun..

L'Oreal receives fine in racism case

L'Oreal has reportedly been found guilty of excluding women of colour from promoting its products, according to press reports.

Soap nut billed as chemical-free detergent alternative

Naturally occurring saponins from the Indian soap nut tree are becoming increasingly popular as alternatives to chemical detergents tying in with the growing trend for natural personal care products.

Research to uncover elderberry skin care benefits

A new study will be undertaken in the UK later this year to discover the nutritional benefits of elderberry fruit to the skin.

Beiersdorf develop oxygen-based product range

Beiersdorf has added a new product to its booming Nivea Visage range that harnesses the power of oxygen as a skin care treatment for female consumers who lead a hectic lifestyle.

Hair care trend makes use of marine derived extracts

Biotechmarine of Brittany is the latest company to ride the marine extract trend with the launch of a new hair care active range.

France organic market targeted by international investors

The French natural cosmetics market is becoming a hot spot for international investors hoping to cash in on one of the fastest growing organic markets in Europe.

Cosmeceutical acquisition boosts DSM profile

DSM has completed the acquisition of Pentapharm this week - in a move that will consolidate its position as leading ingredients manufacturer in the cosmeceutical industry.

Injectable filler product calms anti-ageing concerns

In a bid to create a foothold on the anti-aging market, British biotechnology company Intercytex has announced the release of an injectable filler that is said to improve facial wrinkles.

Oriflame develops collagen boosting anti-ageing range

Direct sales player Oriflame is hitting the anti-ageing market with the launch of a new, natural-based collagen boosting skin care range.

Colgate-Palmolive elects new CEO

Global oral and personal care player Colgate-Palmolive has announced that Ian Cook has taken over from Reuben Mark as CEO of the company as part of a long-term succession plan that will allow the out-going Mark to retire.

EU and US collaborate for further information on animal testing

Confidential information regarding the safety of cosmetic products will now be more freely swapped between the EU and the US in a bid to enable better consumer health protection, the European Commission announced today.

Natural hair loss formulations show up competition

Indian scientists have found a natural-based ancient Ayurvedic remedy for hair loss that outperforms the commercial competition, cashing in on the growing popularity for natural products and the extensive market for hair loss treatments.

LVMH conduct research on adolescent skin conditions

LVMH Recherche, the research arm of French luxury consumer group LVMH has conducted three tests on European and Japanese adolescent skin care routines in a bid to develop skin care treatments for this age group and later in life.

Kanebo target Europe with relaunch of premium skin care line

Japanese cosmetics manufacturer Kanebo has re-launched its skin care product range in Europe, the US and the Middle East as part of its strategy to push forward in the premium cosmetics market.

New product line covers all current skin care trends

A new line of skin care products has arrived on the European and US markets that are said to abolish the need for cosmetic procedures to reverse the signs of ageing.

Russian fragrance industry heads for a fall

The Russian fragrance industry braces itself for crisis as manufacturers recoil against the cost of implementing new regulatory procedures.

Parlux releases unaudited results for fiscal 2007

Fragrance player Parlux has announced a significant increase in its sales for the 2007 financial year, but a net loss from its continuing operations marks a difficult year in which rapid expansion has seen its administration capabilities stretched to the maximum.