Hair Care

L’Occitane H1: Hong Kong, Australia, and Malaysia lead APAC growth as China continues to slump

02-Nov-2022 By Amanda Lim

L’Occitane International has reported that Asia Pacific grew by 1.9% at constant rates in the first half (H1), led by Hong Kong, Australia, and Malaysia, helping to offset the second consecutive quarter of double-digit declines for China.

Beauty industry must avoid ‘menowashing’, warn experts

31-Oct-2022 By Lynda Searby

Menopausal beauty is a space with huge untapped opportunity, but one that brands should approach in a credible and science-backed manner, caution female beauty experts.

Bathroom essentials startup TAKK wants to flip beauty ‘choice overload’

28-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

UK-headquartered indie brand TAKK is on a mission to carve out a new way of beauty consumption, minimising choice via genderless, simplified ranges via subscription.

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.

Humane Society International calls for ‘essential revisions’ to EU REACH regulation

26-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Animal welfare charity Humane Society International has published a white paper outlining a proposal to revise the EU chemicals regulation REACH, aiming to modernise the framework and drive uptake of non-animal testing methods.

‘Good dynamism’: L’Oréal reports Q3 global sales rise despite inflation

25-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

International beauty major L’Oréal has reported a worldwide surge in sales for the third quarter (Q3) of 2022, capturing growth across all divisions but especially active cosmetics, despite inflationary pressures in many countries.

Calling all Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Microbiome start-ups!

Probiota Pioneers: Deadline approaching for microbiome-related start-ups

25-Oct-2022 By Stephen Daniells

NutraIngredients is on the hunt for entrepreneurial consumer-facing, science- or technology-based start-ups to join our Probiota Pioneers session and present their company in Barcelona.

Game on: Dove unveils campaign to improve beauty diversity in gaming

24-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Unilever-owned Dove has unveiled a global campaign designed to drive diversity in virtual beauty, collaborating with game developers and a gaming charity to catalyse change and improve female representation in the gaming world.

Beauty 4.0 forecast: 7 trends to watch in beauty tech before 2027

24-Oct-2022 By Lynda Searby

Building communities and taking a ‘virtual first’ approach will be key to future success in the beauty metaverse, but brands will also need to play outside that space to engage other consumers looking to embrace tech, say industry experts.

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.

‘A rough patch to grow through’: P&G Q1 2023 net profit dips amidst slight net sales rise

21-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Personal care giant Procter & Gamble (P&G) has reported a small rise in net sales and a dip in net profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2023, forecasting a continued difficult cost and operating environment, particularly in Europe, for the rest...

Beauty in the Metaverse: Web3 expert encourages beauty brands to make ‘first small steps’ into the future

20-Oct-2022 By Amanda Lim

Beauty brands big and small are being urged to experiment with Web3 concepts such as NFTs and the Metaverse in order to “get ready for the future”.

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.

Energy crisis: FEBEA signs EcoWatt Charter to reduce electricity use and calls for EU policy and price cap

18-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

The French Federation for Beauty Companies (FEBEA) has signed the country’s EcoWatt Charter, pledging alongside hundreds of other corporations to further reduce electricity use during the ongoing energy crisis.

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.

Sephora absorbs Feelunique domain and kickstarts UK re-entry

17-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Beauty retail major Sephora is set to absorb prestige beauty e-commerce player Feelunique’s domain this week, kickstarting the start of its wider UK market re-entry plans.

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.

The Long Read

Environmental expert: Industry must establish ‘ethical integrity’ across entire supply chain in global crises

12-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

The beauty and personal care industry must today respond to converging global crises and ensure ethical integrity in every part of the value chain to protect the future of the planet, people and business, says British environmentalist Sir Jonathon Porritt.

The future of female health? Beauty and science experts brainstorm NPD promise for menopause wellbeing

10-Oct-2022 By CosmeticsDesign-Europe Reporter

Menopause is shifting out of taboo and into the spotlight as women worldwide seek a deeper understanding on changes during this time, carving out plenty of opportunity for beauty and wellness industries to support, educate and empower.

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.

‘Evolving quickly’: Video selfies will enable beauty companies to offer more accurate smartphone-enabled skin analysis

06-Oct-2022 By Amanda Lim

Getting your skin analysed from static selfies is set to become a thing of the past as beauty tech firms move to develop new technology to analyse skin and even hair with videos taken with your smartphone.

Pop-up power: Beauty brands can use ‘uniquely designed spaces’ to build hype and community, says Mintel

04-Oct-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Temporary retail spaces offer beauty brands opportunity to build hype and drive community post-pandemic – both key in an increasingly competitive UK market, says Mintel.

Dive deeper on Kao joining Genomatica venture to scale palm oil alternatives

03-Oct-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

Biotechnology firm Genomatica announced last week that Japanese giant Kao Corporation is joining a venture to scale alternatives to palm oil.

Store of the future: Sephora’s ‘next-gen’ site mixes high-tech tools with the human touch

28-Sep-2022 By Amanda Lim

Beauty omnichannel retailer Sephora says it is incorporating digital technology with the human touch via its first Asia ‘next-gen’ store.

Made for me: Customised cosmetics will become ‘centrepiece’ of K-beauty in a post-COVID market – Review

26-Sep-2022 By Amanda Lim

Customised cosmetics innovation will be a significant driver of the South Korean beauty market and will provide it “unique” competitive edge, according to a new review.

Q&A

Consumers look to custom beauty to address inclusivity gaps says Mintel

20-Sep-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

While custom beauty might be a fun new product type, Mintel says consumers are also using it to address needs that may not be easily addressed by traditional products.

The future of beauty tech is here! Sephora, Shiseido and Orveon share 5-year visions

19-Sep-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Leading executives from Sephora, Shiseido and Orveon will join forces to brainstorm the future of beauty tech – discussing opportunities and challenges today and revealing their five-year vision.

The business of Instagram: Creativity and community key to growth - execs

19-Sep-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Beauty businesses must focus on pushing creativity and building communities on Instagram to spur engagement and drive growth, according to executives of the platform.

‘New audiences’: Puig acquires majority stake in Indian wellness brand Kama Ayurveda

15-Sep-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Spanish luxury beauty and perfume major Puig has announced the acquisition of Kama Ayurveda – a move set to strengthen its Indian footprint and drive presence in the Western wellbeing market, an expert says.

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.

‘Real opportunity’ for in-store beauty tech to aid consumer choice and experience: Mintel

09-Sep-2022 By Lynda Searby

Beauty tech investments have largely focused on digital and e-commerce, but consumers are looking for technology in-store as well to improve the overall shopping experience, providing significant opportunity for brands and retailers, according to Mintel.

AI-powered personalised beauty: Brands investing in AI and AR are ‘growing in double digits’

08-Sep-2022 By Lynda Serby

Taiwan-based Perfect Corp has launched new AI tech that enables beauty brands to make personalised product recommendations tailored to consumers’ personality traits.

Beauty 4.0 future: Global innovators brainstorm tech promise beyond 2022

08-Sep-2022 By CosmeticsDesign-Europe Reporter

Technology in beauty is continuing its meteoric rise at supersonic pace, but as consumers look for more innovative and immersive stories, stores, tools and apps, how can beauty stay smart in this space?

Review

Alternatives to animal testing developing, focus on cruelty-free may be holding back

31-Aug-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

Animal testing was the 20th-century answer to product safety issues, and as the 21st-century cosmetics industry turns away from it some replacements are still up in the air.

Unconventional faces: ‘Stereotypical depictions of beauty are shifting,’ says expert

31-Aug-2022 By Shane Starling

Shaved heads, no eyebrows and messy makeup are some of the latest visuals popping up in beauty as Generation Z emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic looking to flip the lid on dated, traditional narratives.

Dove makes last push on European Citizens’ Initiative to protect EU animal testing ban

26-Aug-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Unilever-owned international beauty brand Dove is making a final push to inspire more European consumers to align on protecting the EU’s ban on animal testing in cosmetics.

Walgreens Boots Alliance expands UK Deliveroo tie-up

24-Aug-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Retail major Walgreens Boots Alliance is expanding its partnership with app-based delivery firm Deliveroo in the UK following a successful pilot scheme last year.

A hairy situation: Kao CEO highlights need for ‘dramatic’ change to invigorate hair care business

23-Aug-2022 By Amanda Lim

The CEO of Japanese consumer goods company Kao Corporation has underlined the immediate need to revitalise its declining hair care business amid stiff competition in the mass market sector.

EXCLUSIVE IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS

How to win over… the modern male beauty and personal care consumer

22-Aug-2022 By Amanda Lim

Exclusive insights from pioneers in the men’s cosmetics market, including MANSCAPED and FIVEISM x THREE, reveal the drivers behind men’s evolving perception of cosmetic products and shed light on what exactly they want from skin care and make-up.

Zero-waste brand Solidu eyes expansion: ‘We still have a lot of unexplored fields'

19-Aug-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Indie brand Solidu wants to deepen its retail presence across Europe and the US, but also innovate further into solid face care – a space its founder says still holds plenty of promise.

How Because Intelligence wants to use automation to tame the wilds of eCommerce

19-Aug-2022 By Ravyn Cullor

Because Intelligence is a pandemic-born tech company using automation to optimize product pages so brands don’t have to do it by hand.

‘Expansion is the only model for success’: How beauty brands are winning in the global FMCG race

17-Aug-2022 By Shane Starling

Colgate, Lifebuoy, Dove and Sunsilk have fiercely and consistently expanded reach over the years, edging into new categories and plugging new consumer needs to stay on top of the fast-moving consumer goods race – action other industry players can aspire...

Next-gen promise? Beauty majors expand skin sensitisation testing with NAMs

16-Aug-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Scientists from the world’s largest beauty firms have tested new approach methodologies (NAMs) to assess skin sensitisation on several new cosmetic-relevant substances, demonstrating promise but highlighting hurdles industry still needs to overcome.

Going on the offensive: Shiseido to invest over $75m in brand equity and employee training

15-Aug-2022 By Amanda Lim

Japanese beauty major Shiseido is planning to invest JPY10bn (USD75.5m) in both brand equity and its employees as part of plans to go on the offensive and buck the declining trend of the market.

‘Galvanise’ business: British Beauty Week to celebrate ‘power of beauty’ post-COVID

11-Aug-2022 By Shane Starling

The British beauty sector will parade its status as an economic powerhouse and potent transformer of lives at next month’s British Beauty Week, as the industry and world slowly moves past the COVID-19 pandemic once and for all.

Attractiveness and self-confidence: Localism key to cracking lucrative Middle East beauty market, finds study

11-Aug-2022 By Shane Starling

Cosmetics contribute more to Middle Eastern women’s sense of attractiveness and self-confidence than ever, but not in the ways typical of social media-shaped Western trends, according to research.

Post-pandemic preservatives: The end of the ‘free-from’ beauty era?

08-Aug-2022 By Kacey Culliney

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created huge waves of change in consumer thinking, with hygiene, finance and science now the sharp focus in beauty, potentially spelling the end of preservative fears and the free-from movement, says WGSN.

Cost inflation and currency challenges: Personal care CEOs brace for ‘significant’ headwinds in H2 2022

08-Aug-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Leaders at Unilever, Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive are predicting a tough six months ahead, with cost inflation anticipated to peak and foreign exchange challenges to continue.

L’Oréal has set ‘clear roadmap’ for North Asia’s carbon neutrality achievements to be replicated – SVP

08-Aug-2022 By Amanda Lim

French beauty major L’Oréal Group believes it can replicate the carbon neutrality achievements of its North Asia division, with one executive confirming the firm has outlined a “clear roadmap” to do so.