Breaking News on Cosmetics Formulation & Packaging - Europe US edition

SkinEthic's non-animal skin irritation test gains ECVAM validation

A new skin irritation test from SkinEthic Laboratories has been validated for use by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods.

Fenchem enjoys growth and eyes further expansion

China-based ingredients maker Fenchem says it will continue its expansion into cosmetics ingredients, having announced a 35 per cent increase in its annual revenue.

Controversy, regulation and finance lead list of most read stories in 2008

Controversial ingredients and regulatory developments topped the list of the most read stories in 2008 with economic news creeping in at the tail end of the year.

Video season's greetings from Decision News Media

The Decision News Media team would like to bring you its seasonal greetings in person and show you around the offices.

Triclosan, phthalates and parabens repeatedly criticised in 2008

Questions over the safety of a number of cosmetic ingredients have taken centre stage this year with phthalates, parabens and triclosan, all taking their turn in the spotlight.

Weekly comment

Beware, the lipstick factor will not protect all

With everyone banging on about how well positioned the personal care market is in the current economic downturn, it might be easy to imagine that the sector will have a relatively soft ride. But will it?

Weekly comment

Beware, the lipstick factor will not protect all

With everyone banging on about how well positioned the personal care market is in the current economic downturn, it might be easy to imagine that the sector will have a relatively soft ride. But will it?

Ciba readies new antimicrobial for European market

Swiss ingredients player Ciba says it is readying its Tinosan SDC antimicrobial for the European market and should have it approved by mid-2009 for use as a preservative.

Call for more research into phthalate health risks

More research is needed into the health effects of exposure to phthalates from different sources, according to a report from the National Research Council.

L'Oreal heiress seeks to reassure staff

The largest shareholder in L’Oreal has sought to reassure staff that she is of sound mind after giving away a sizable portion of her estimated $23bn fortune to a celebrated photographer.

The industry and all things green in 2008

The year has seen the strengthening of all things green in both the political and public consciousness. However, how is the cosmetics industry reacting to these shifting ideals and principles?

New and improved alternative to animal testing is validated

MatTek’s new skin irritation test has been validated by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) as a reliable substitute for animal methods.

Mood-enhancing fragrance compound gains patent protection

US company Human Pheremone Sciences has filed a US patent for a compound derived from sea coral that can be added to fragrances and cosmetics as a mood-enhancer.

Symrise launches multifunctional cosmetic ingredient

Symrise has launched a new cosmetic ingredient that works as a moisturiser, fragrance and antimicrobial agent.

Weird and wonderful fragrances of 2008

The scent of male changing rooms might not be to your taste but Scent of Success is just another of the weird and wonderful scents making it into this year's fragrance hall of fame.

Industry defends use of antioxidants in skincare

Recent research that questioned the potential of antioxidants to fight against aging has elicited a number of reactions from the industry, questioning the relevance of the findings to human skin.

Spelt makes the personal care mark

The popularity of spelt has rocketed in recent years, leading to a 130 per cent increase in European product launches containing the ancient grain over the past three years.

News in brief

DSM cuts 1000 jobs in fight against economic gloom

DSM is slashing 1000 jobs from across its divisions despite the good health of its nutrition and personal care businesses.

Symrise on the hunt for a new CEO

Germany-based ingredients provider Symrise says it has accepted the resignation of its CEO Dr. Gerold Linzbach, citing personal reasons.

Budlepack COSi fails to find buyer and confirms job cuts

Attempts to find a buyer for the Budlepack COSi plant in Maesteg, South Wales, which went into administration at the end of November, have proved unsuccessful.

Natural formulators should take care to avoid pre-market contamination

Formulators using natural ingredients should pay particular attention to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to avoid contamination of their products prior to market.

Beauty PR firm makes ingredient predictions for 2009

Pierce Mattie PR has unveiled its predictions for the top 10 beauty ingredients set to hit the big time in 2009.

New preservative to be included in EU positive list

A new lauric acid-arginine preservative has been accepted for use in cosmetics products by European regulatory bodies, according to its manufacturer Vedeqsa.

Triclosan research: industry fights back

In response to the latest scientific study on Triclosan, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers is stressing the importance of how such research is interpreted.

Alban Muller launches online plant encyclopedia

Alban Muller is launching an online encyclopedia for beauty and food professionals featuring technical information on 250 plants.

Unilever focuses on soap in West Africa

Unilever has completed the purchase of a soap business and the sale of its palm oil and edible oil interests in the Ivory Coast.

Mintel uncovers sharp rise in male beauty launches

Personal care products for men are flooding the shelves and launches are becoming increasingly adventurous as the market matures, according to Mintel.

Comment

Recession presents cosmetics firms with opportunities

To navigate through the economic gloom, cosmetics companies should turn to Austrian economist Josef Schumpeter who once compared the Great Depression to a ‘good cold shower’.

Cosmetics a popular choice with shoplifters

Razor blades and cosmetics are the most popular items with shoplifters according to a recent study by Checkpoint Systems.

New Packer handles RSC and wraparound blanks

A combined side-loading system for case packing, labelling and palletizing of cosmetics and food products in cartons has a small footprint and enables greater efficiency in terms of multipack handling, says Cermex.

Botox comes under tighter regulation in UK

The General Medical Council has announced new regulations governing Botox aimed at tightening up the administration of the popular anti-ageing treatment.

Datamonitor features beauty foods in top ten trend list for 2009

In a survey of the top ten packaged goods trends, Datamonitor has tipped beauty foods for success in the coming year.

Plant-based ingredients may have a future in sun protection

Plant-based compounds with antioxidant properties are likely to be playing an increasingly important role in the sun care of the future.

UK manufacturer opens new factory in hunt for beauty growth

DCS Manufacturing is opening a new UK factory to supply the health and beauty industry with eco-friendly products.

Study shows ClO2 helps improve mouthwash performance

Latest research into the ingredient chlorine dioxide (CIO2) shows that it can help to contain bad breath for up to four hours when used in a mouthwash.

French court will rule on eBay L'Oreal case in Spring

France’s ruling on the counterfeit case involving eBay and L’Oreal will be announced early next Spring.

P&G downgrades quarterly sales targets

Procter & Gamble says it is still on course to increase organic sales during the October-December quarter, but says growth will be below original estimates.

Lush gets involved with UK environmental campaign

The co-founder of UK-based cosmetics company Lush says he made a donation to a campaign that contributed to the closure of a major London airport this week.

Ecoflation could hit companies hard in the future

Companies already struggling in the current economic climate will soon have to contend with a new phenomenon, ecoflation, according to a study by ATKearney.

News in brief

Henkel named Germany's 'most sustainable brand'

The German Sustainability Congress has named Henkel Germany’s ‘most sustainable brand’.

News in brief

Oriflame launches male fragrance with Nordic feel

In an attempt to strengthen its male collection direct seller Oriflame has released a new fragrance offering.

Harmonised natural and organic standard gets mixed reception

The harmonised Cosmos-standard for natural and organic cosmetics has received a mixed reaction from leading voices in the organic beauty quarter.

Fungal polysaccharides hold skin moisturising potential

New research supports the use of a biopolymer duo in moisturising and anti-aging products.

Dermatologists recommend vitamin D supplements

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is backing efforts to encourage increased consumption of vitamin D through food and dietary supplements.

EU relaxes rules on importations of personal care products

The European Union has announced that from December 1 it will be relaxing rules governing the amount of personal care products passengers can bring into Europe.

Chanel seals research deal to shine light on formulation

Chanel has sought out the help of Dassault Systemes to model cosmetic formulations and dig deeper into the role of light in make-up.

Weekly comment

Industry must improve antioxidant marketing or face consumer backlash

One of the cosmetics industry’s favourite marketing taglines took a beating this week. The attack on antioxidants was in response to work published by researchers at University College London, who are questioning the long-held belief in the oxidative theory of ageing.

Naturex earns organic certification

Herbal extracts supplier, Naturex, has had its French plant certified organic as it seeks to build its global organics presence to meet rising demand.

Bell Ventures uses standardized markers to sell antioxidant ingredient

Bell Ventures has launched an antioxidant-rich ingredient that appeals to standardized outcome markers to differentiate itself in the crowded natural skin care market.

Organic and green products tipped for highest eco-beauty growth in NPD study

Organic and green products hold the most promise in the eco-beauty market, according to an NPD study on Natural-Organic trends.

FDA panel recommends glaucoma drug for approval as an eyelash enhancer

An FDA advisory panel has recommended an eyelash enhancing drug for approval that was originally conceived as a treatment for glaucoma.

Potential dangers of Triclosan back under spotlight

Latest research into the antibacterial ingredient Triclosan brings about fresh evidence that it can have a significant impact on thyroid function and the onset of puberty in male rats.

Environment is the star at PCD's packaging congress

All things green will take centre stage at the 2009 Perfumes, Cosmetics and Design packaging congress.

Beiersdorf secures DAX-30 Index listing

In recognition of its growing stature, Beiersdorf will soon join the DAX-30 Index of the Deutsche Börse taking the place of tyre maker Continental.

Coty and Puig extend partnership with fragrance deal

Puig Beauty and Fashion Group is turning once again to Coty to distribute its Antonio Banderas fragrance lines in the US.

LycoRed goes under the skin of UV protection complex

LycoRed has, for the first time, looked at the effect of its tomato lycopene complex on the histological characteristics of the skin.

Indena provides new head for natural products journal

The R&D director of the natural products company Indena has been awarded the top job at the journal Fitoterapia.

US companies dominate top 10 global personal care players

Procter & Gamble continues to extend its lead in the list of the top ten publicly traded global personal care players, according to their performances in 2007.

US companies dominate top 10 global personal care players

Procter & Gamble continues to extend its lead in the list of the top ten publicly traded global personal care players, according to their performances in 2007.

Male prisoners win right to equal cosmetic treatment

Male prisoners in Germany have won the right to spend as much on cosmetic and personal care products as their female counterparts

Dr Straetmans pulls off Frost & Sullivan award

Frost & Sullivan’s recent Product Line Awards for the European chemicals industry saw Germany-based cosmetics player Dr. Straetmans recognised for its active ingredients.

Cosmetics giants investigated for price fixing in Switzerland

Swiss competition authorities (COMCO) are investigating some of the world’s largest cosmetic companies for possible price fixing.

Unilever's R&D shake-up results in job losses

Unilever is cutting 70 jobs at a UK plant but the consumer goods giant said the future of the site is safe.

Lack of data makes TTC method inappropriate for cosmetics

The Threshold for Toxicological Concern (TTC) is not an applicable model for cosmetics ingredients, according to a recent report by three European Committees.

Budelpack COSi goes into receivership, looks for buyer

Budelpack COSi, the manufacturing arm of Budelpack in the UK, has gone into administration and effectively announced the redundancy of 263 of its workers.

Watchdog questions online health and beauty adverts

Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has expressed concern about online adverts in the health and beauty sector.

Intertek acquires safety testing lab in Poland

Safety and quality expert Intertek has purchased a Polish testing laboratory that will serve the consumer goods industries in the region.

Scientists question whether oxidative damage really is the guilty party in aging

Oxidative damage may not be the major culprit in aging, according to researchers in London.

Beauty industry must help men be men, says study

Beauty companies should help encourage men to be masculine, according to a cross-cultural beauty survey.

Weekly comment

Should the US be taking note on European cosmetics regulation?

Last week’s announcement that the French government is mulling plans to introduce cosmetics labeling for mothers-to-be again raises the question of whether enough is being done to protect US consumers. So who should be taking responsibility – industry or the regulators?