GALLERY: Top 10 APAC cosmetic stories of March 2021

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Our recap of the most-read cosmetics stories of March, featuring the latest in beauty innovation, trends and regulations.

Click through our recap of the most-read cosmetics stories of March, featuring the latest in beauty innovation, trends and regulations.

GALLERY: Top 10 APAC cosmetic stories of March 2021
GALLERY: Top 10 APAC cosmetic stories of March 2021

Click through our recap of the most-read cosmetics stories of March, featuring the latest in beauty innovation, trends and regulations.

China animal testing: Exemptions for testing on 'ordinary' cosmetics start in May - officials
China animal testing: Exemptions for testing on 'ordinary' cosmetics start in May - officials (Totojang/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Imported 'ordinary' cosmetics will not be required to undergo animal testing from May 1 this year, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has confirmed in its finalised regulations.

Plant power: Alcohol-free disinfectant uses lemon bush and chamomile to help kill COVID-19 virus
Plant power: Alcohol-free disinfectant uses lemon bush and chamomile to help kill COVID-19 virus

An Australian firm has developed an alcohol-free disinfectant that uses native plant extracts, which it claims can help kill the COVID-19 virus within 90 seconds without damaging even the most sensitive skin.

Plum opportunities: Filipino brand Native Biologique aims to capitalise on domestic skin care surge
Plum opportunities: Filipino brand Native Biologique aims to capitalise on domestic skin care surge

Manila-based skin care brand Native Biologique is eyeing huge opportunities in the Philippines skin care market, which it believes is poised for rapid growth.

Riding the K-wave: Shopee to boost premium platform with more K-beauty brands
Riding the K-wave: Shopee to boost premium platform with more K-beauty brands

Asia E-commerce platform Shopee is aiming to boost its premium beauty offering, with K-beauty brands a particular target, after data showed the category’s rise was showing no signs of slowing.

Marine therapy: Eczema serum developed with stem cell tech claims to repair skin damage in a week
Marine therapy: Eczema serum developed with stem cell tech claims to repair skin damage in a week

An eczema serum developed by a Singapore-based start-up claims that its exclusive marine stem cell technology is able to repair the damage of eczema in as little as a week.

Men's beauty habits: Age a key differentiator in cosmetic use among Japanese men - survey
Men's beauty habits: Age a key differentiator in cosmetic use among Japanese men - survey (Tomwang112/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Age appears to be a key differentiator for the use of cosmetics among Japanese men, with colour products finding favour with those in their 20s or below, while eye creams are looking strong for those in their 30s, according to a new survey.

'Ayurveda advancing': Indian brand SoulTree poised for nation-wide retail expansion focusing on sustainability
'Ayurveda advancing': Indian brand SoulTree poised for nation-wide retail expansion focusing on sustainability

Indian Ayurvedic beauty and wellness brand SoulTree is branching out to launch more physical stores in the country, following the unveiling of its inaugural flagship in Gurugram.

From nice-to-have to need-to-have: Experts say sustainability must be considered a 'cost of doing business'
From nice-to-have to need-to-have: Experts say sustainability must be considered a 'cost of doing business'

Companies need to rethink how they implement sustainability initiatives and should integrate them it into the 'heart' of their business models, a panel of experts at the Global Fragrance Summit organised by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) has claimed.

Layer of defence: Kao confirms fine fibre tech's protective abilities against pollution and mask irritation
Layer of defence: Kao confirms fine fibre tech's protective abilities against pollution and mask irritation

Kao has conducted new research into its fine fibre technology and confirmed its ability to protect the skin against pollution and mask irritation.

Winner takes all: NZ's Organic Bioactives aiming to grow exposure in Asia after bagging top L'Oréal innovation prize
Winner takes all: NZ's Organic Bioactives aiming to grow exposure in Asia after bagging top L'Oréal innovation prize (greenleaf123/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Māori-owned ingredient maker Organic Bioactives is focusing on expanding its reach in Asia with the establishment of a Singapore office and a new product pipeline after winning the top prize in L'Oréal's start-up competition.