Hot topics: Top 5 trending beauty and cosmetics stories on social media

Beauty consumers look to 'invest' while travelling – SK-II CEO​​

The travel retail channel holds major potential for luxury beauty, but more effort must be made to secure increasingly demanding travellers, says the CEO of SK-II.

Global CEO of SK-II, Sue Kyung Lee, was speaking on the travel retail industry during the Tax-Free World Association (TFWA) Asia Pacific Exhibition and Conference on May 8.

She highlighted that while the beauty consumers’ travel shopping habits had not changed dramatically, certain existing characteristics have heightened.

NZ upcycled starfish collagen sees commercialisation opportunity fuelled by Asia demand​​

Kiwi researchers say that industry partnerships are underway to commercialise a skin cream farmed from starfish collagen.

Researchers from Cawthron Institute and NZ Institute for Plant and Food Research developed a skin cream harvesting the collagen of the starfish over a two-year period.

Project representative Dr. Matt Miller told CosmeticsDesign-Asia​ that the team had pursued the upcycling idea as it fits in well with the Maori’s beliefs of finding some use for starfish in the ecosystem instead of discarding them altogether.

HUL CEO: Success of beauty premiumisation key to success​

The premiumisation of its beauty and personal care portfolio will be key to driving the growth of the business, says the CEO of Unilever’s India subsidiary.

In the quarter ending March, HUL’s beauty and personal care division grew by 10%. The firm said there was growth across the business, highlighting that skin care grew double digits led by premium brands. 

Overall, during the 2023 fiscal year, the “powerhouse” division recorded 12% revenue growth, exceeding INR21,000Cr (USD256.7m), said Sanjiv Mehta, CEO and managing director. 

Sa Sa’s ‘discount store’ image sets the stage for Singapore comeback amid inflationary pressures – analyst​​

Retailer Sa Sa could leverage its pricing strategies to attract price-sensitive consumers in South East Asia, who are increasingly prudent about spending on cosmetics, says an analyst.

Three years after withdrawing from the Singapore market, Sa Sa recently announced plans to relaunch in the city-state this year, although the number of stores and their locations have yet to be unveiled.

The retailer chain’s upcoming return to Singapore is believed to be driven by several factors. Singapore’s “supportive”​ business environment and well-established retail scene as potential reasons for Sasa’s post-pandemic comeback.

Toiletpaper Beauty captivates young consumers in South Korea with ‘disruptive’ retail aesthetics​​

Italian brand Toiletpaper Beauty’s initial success in Asia has given its expansion plans a confidence boost, as it makes headway in broadening its product line-up to include fragrances and potentially colour cosmetics.

Its current product line-up includes shampoo, shower gel, body lotion, soap, lip balm, hand cream and more.

The brand draws from the experience of its parent company, luxury hotel amenities supplier La Bottega.