Formulation & Science

Skin science: The latest research findings revealed spanning next-gen ingredients, vitamin warnings, and China data

25-Nov-2022 By Gary Scattergood

Here we round-up the very latest scientific developments for the skin care sector featuring new and emerging ingredients, safety warnings, and data for China product development.

Probiotic shows potential for boosting skin health quality: BLIS study

22-Nov-2022 By Stephen Daniells

A topical probiotic formulation may boost radiance and hydration of skin, while also improving skin clarity and softness, says a new study from New Zealand.

Emerging skin care science: Growing evidence to support formulations containing thyme, ginseng and wheat grass

22-Nov-2022 By Gary Scattergood

New research suggests that herbal formulations containing thyme, wheat grass and ginseng, along with ferulic and gallic acid, are the most promising natural products for new cosmetics with skin anti-ageing properties.

Study

How the skin microbiome plays into three common skin concerns

10-Nov-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

Cosmetics researchers are still exploring how microscopic life on our skin affects its health, but recent research has started to piece together the puzzle.

IFSCC CONGRESS 2022 LONDON, UK

Phage ‘cocktail’ shows promise in targeting acne: Biocogent

10-Nov-2022 By Kacey Culliney

A century-old method using live virus bacteriophages has the potential to make its revival in skin care via formulations designed to target blemish-prone skin, says US supplier Biocogent.

Helping hands: Scent Journer develops prebiotic hand sanitisers to keep up with post-COVID premiumisation

09-Nov-2022 By Amanda Lim

A fragrance label from Singapore has released a line of hand sanitisers with prebiotics to keep up with the post-pandemic premiumisation of the hand care category.

Future of ageing: Mibelle Biochemistry zeroes in on skin ageing to tackle healthspan and lifespan concerns

08-Nov-2022 By Amanda Lim

The head of Mibelle Biochemistry says the firm will concentrate efforts on skin-ageing research as concerns of healthspan and lifespan come into the spotlight.

IFSCC CONGRESS 2022 LONDON, UK

Predict and influence: Stanford University and L’Oréal investigating skin tightness

07-Nov-2022 By Kacey Culliney

US-based Stanford University is working with international beauty major L’Oréal to investigate skin tightness, looking at how mechano-receptors send signals into the neural circuit upon application of a topical.

Stress management: Mitigating the negative effects of stress driving beauty R&D for Clariant

07-Nov-2022 By Amanda Lim

Clariant says managing the adverse impact of stress on our physical appearance is driving its research and development in a post-pandemic world.

IFSCC CONGRESS 2022 LONDON, UK

L’Oréal research: Daily full-spectrum UV protection offers ‘significant improvement’ to photoageing signs

04-Nov-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Daily protection against the entire UV spectrum, including ultra-long UVA, can help slow signs of photoageing across all skin phototypes and ancestry, according to global clinical studies from beauty major L’Oréal.

Stress factor: New multicentre study links COVID-related hair loss with stress

03-Nov-2022 By Amanda Lim

COVID-related hair loss has been linked to the severity of stress, according to a newly published multicentre study.

Study

Research team dives into history of personal care for modern plant-based ingredient

31-Oct-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

Humans have been creating personal care products for more than 9,000 years, and one of the first fragrance ingredients may have cosmetic potential today.

Study

Natural nanotech 101: How nanotechnology and natural ingredients intersect today

27-Oct-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

The cosmetics industry is presently both moving away from synthetic ingredients and toward the chemistry of the future, but those may go hand-in-hand.

Patch test: Microneedle patches found to significantly improve undereye wrinkles in 12 weeks – study

26-Oct-2022 By Amanda Lim

A South Korean study has tested magnesium microneedle patches on the delicate undereye area and found that it could significantly improve wrinkles in 12 weeks.

Study

Specialized water may make no-rinse shampoo a more effective hygiene tool

21-Oct-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

No-rinse shampoos are both trendy and, when effective, could have a significant impact on the quality of life and hygiene of the elderly, bedridden and ICU patients.

IFSCC CONGRESS 2022 LONDON, UK

Fragrance power: Can gender or culture create nuances on scent perception?

20-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Consumers worldwide will have very similar neural responses to fragrances, but it’s the cognitive associations of these scents that creates interesting nuances for beauty to investigate, says a leading experimental psychologist.

Three possible cosmetic applications for medicinal plant family Eupatorium

19-Oct-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

Eupatorium is a plant family with medicinal applications around the globe, and a study suggests it may also be a good source of cosmetics extracts.

IFSCC CONGRESS 2022 LONDON, UK

The skin is ‘an extension’ of the brain: PhD Trials identifies influential space surrounding skin as the ‘emossome’

19-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Portugal-based contract research firm PhD Trials has found that the environmental space surrounding the skin can influence sensorial response and induce neural activity, creating exciting promise for cosmetics.

‘Significant hair shedding’: Japanese dermatologists link hair loss to COVID-induced ‘cytokine storm’

19-Oct-2022 By Amanda Lim

A team of Japanese dermatologists believe COVID-19-related hair loss is likely due to the overproduction of cytokine that is typically associated with the disease.

IFSCC CONGRESS 2022 LONDON, UK

Curl power: Kao Corp uses carbonated water to improve active shampoo

18-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Japanese personal care major Kao Corporation has blended carbonated water into a shampoo formula for curly hair to improve the penetration and effectiveness of its curl-loosening ingredient, offering better style control at the washing stage.

Genomics, microbiome analysis and biomarker sensing to transform personalised beauty: Expert

14-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Highly personalised beauty continues to soar and advances in specific digital technologies will empower and inform innovators, offering significant promise in areas like consumer wellness and mental health, says an expert.

Preparation and prevention: How to guide women through menopause

13-Oct-2022 By Nikki Hancocks

Menopause is yet another area of women’s health that has been hugely under-resourced but there are exciting developments in the scientific world and big opportunities for innovation, especially within the spaces of gut health and sleep.

Safety first: Long COVID will spur interest in cosmetics developed with ISO natural origin index– review

12-Oct-2022 By Amanda Lim

The concern over long COVID and its impact on skin health will drive consumer demand for safety, thereby pushing more cosmetic companies to develop products in accordance with the ISO natural origin index, according to a new review.

Q&A

Chair-elect of NYSCC's thoughts on how formulation platforms impact formulators

06-Oct-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

Cosmetic formulation platforms like Novi Connect and The Good Face Project have entered the R&D process hoping to make access to data easier and more simple.

Why beauty ‘tweakments’ could be a cause for concern – Review

06-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers are rising in popularity, but practitioners and the wider beauty industry must be aware of the long-term impacts to body image these can create on a societal level, say researchers.

Fantastical fungi: Food start-up pushing mushroom mycelium as natural and sustainable ingredient for cosmetics

05-Oct-2022 By Amanda Lim

A Singapore-based food start-up cultivating mushroom mycelium as an alternative protein source believes it can also serve the cosmetics industry as a natural, sustainable, and completely food-safe ingredient.

IFSCC CONGRESS 2022 LONDON, UK

Alzheimer’s research startup Neuro-Bio looking for skin biomarker

03-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

A leading neuroscientist and Oxford University startup are working with Unilever and Beiersdorf to investigate whether there might be a skin biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease.

‘Huge opportunities for research’: Labskin develops pigmented 3D skin model

29-Sep-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Human skin microbiology specialist Labskin has developed a pigmented skin model in partnership with Bradford University that it says represents a breakthrough for cosmetics and health research and could even lead to new discoveries.

IFSCC CONGRESS 2022 LONDON, UK

Shiseido fellow details ring collagen ‘discovery’ as promising for anti-ageing skin care

28-Sep-2022 By Kacey Culliney

International beauty major Shiseido has advanced scientific understanding on facial sagging via digital research tools and experiments, defining ring collagen as central to face skin morphology and detailing how to reconstruct this network as people aged.

Feeling blue: Understanding how blue light affects skin health ‘hampered by research methods’ – J&J study

28-Sep-2022 By Gary Scattergood

The understanding of how blue light affects skin health is being hampered by lack of standardised research methods, including the use of different sources of blue light and measurements of its biological effects, according to a new review funded by Johnson...

Improving skin health with microbiome modulators

27-Sep-2022 By Nikki Hancocks

Nizo experts discuss some of the key issues and challenges facing the nutraceutical and food ingredient industry today.

Sunscreen and Vitamin D: Aussie researchers to study if 'slip, slap, slop' leads to vit D drop

27-Sep-2022 By Gary Scattergood

A world-first large-scale trial in Australia will assess if wearing high-factor sunscreen prevents healthy vitamin D production.

IFSCC CONGRESS 2022 LONDON, UK

L'Oréal scientist: Live bacteria ‘the dream’ for skin microbiome NPD

23-Sep-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Innovation in cosmetic ingredients targeting the skin microbiome is surging, but the ultimate dream is to be able to incorporate beneficial live bacteria into formulations, says a principal scientist at L’Oréal Research & Innovation.

Blooming potential: Lilies possess properties suitable for wide range of beauty products – Review

19-Sep-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

The Lilium plant, commonly known as lilies, possesses a slew of properties suitable for use in various cosmetics, including sunscreens, cleansers, masks and conditioners, according to a new review.

Study identifies tapioca-derived probiotic candidates for oral health

15-Sep-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains found in fermented Malaysian tapioca have shown antimicrobial properties for the prevention of periodontal disease, characterised by inflamed and progressively receding gingival tissue.

Mane problem: Evidence of long COVID hair loss could spur demand for effective natural solutions

14-Sep-2022 By Amanda Lim

Gencor Pacific is eyeing huge opportunities in Asia Pacific’s anti-hair loss market, as studies show it is a common effect of long COVID.

‘The Elixir of Youth’? Omega-3s linked to younger ‘biological age’

13-Sep-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Data from the scientific literature “overwhelmingly” supports beneficial effects of omega‐3 fatty acids on the length of telomeres, reported to be a marker of biological aging, says a new review.

Alternative potential: Wild turmeric extracts could prevent UVB-induced photoageing – Study

01-Sep-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Two wild turmeric plants, the Curcuma aromatica and Curcuma comosa, could play a role in products tackling UVB-induced photoageing.

Bio-based biotin: Biosynthia targets Asian hair care market with sustainably sourced biotin

31-Aug-2022 By Amanda Lim

Ingredient firm Biosynthia has identified South Korea and Japan as two top targets as it seeks to grow in Asia’s hair care market with a ‘natural and sustainably sourced’ biotin.

Q&A

Software plays an important role in tracking, achieving, reporting sustainability goals

29-Aug-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

Between sustainability efforts by suppliers and making sustainability claims on finished products is a lot of data, and an expert says emerging software solutions are the answer.

Study

"Vicous cycle": Review shows skin sensitivity may effect mental health, vice versa

24-Aug-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

Unlike many dermatological conditions, sensitive skin syndrome doesn’t have objective symptoms, but it may have a quantifiable psychological impact.

LGG offers skin health benefits for children with eczema: Study

24-Aug-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Supplementation with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) stimulates butyrate production and can minimise the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children, say researchers.

Microextraction advances offer ‘eco-friendly’ promise for cosmetics testing: Review

18-Aug-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Microextraction techniques continue to advance fast, offering promise for faster and more selective cosmetics testing, but more importantly a greener process, finds a review.

Study

Study suggests plant-based colorants could also serve as antioxidant ingredient

15-Aug-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

Many plants both show promise as cosmetic actives and are rather colorful, and a new study suggests cosmetics may be able to harness both qualities.

Similar to corticosteroids: Botanicals, lipids and antioxidants could alleviate symptoms of atopic eczema – Review

12-Aug-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Plant-derived active ingredients have considerable potential as a safe and effective treatment in alleviating the symptoms of atopic dermatitis or eczema.