Drop Zone: Clinique, Glow Recipe, Innisfree, Paula’s Choice tap into the retinol renaissance
CosmeticsDesign-Asia rounded up product launches in the region from Clinique, Glow Recipe, Innisfree, and Paula’s Choice that tapped into the demand for retinol among the skintellectuals.
Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, has long been considered the ‘gold standard’ of skin care ingredients for its proven effectiveness.
It has the ability to promote cell turnover and stimulate collagen production, tackling a wide range of skin troubles from fine lines and wrinkles to acne and pigmentation. In short, they are the ultimate skin care multi-taskers.
Furthermore, access to information on platforms such as TikTok has reduced the confusion and misinformation surrounding retinol, making consumers more confident in using them.
The doctor is in: Shiseido acquisition of Dr. Dennis Gross enables it tap into ‘medicalisation’ of beauty
Shiseido’s decision to add cosmeceutical brand Dr. Dennis Gross to its portfolio could have been influenced by the increasing ‘medicalisation’ of beauty, said one analyst.
According to Mintel, the medicalisation of beauty refers to the increasing demand for proof behind claims and creating value through ingredient-led products.
This has resulted in an emphasis on the quality of ingredients and proven efficacy of products while using technology to simplify routines.
This is being driven by a multitude of factors, such as the demand for efficacy and transparency.
How to win over… Asia’s sophisticated skin care consumers
We revealed exclusive insights into the Asian skincare market with expert viewpoints from Melvita, Elizabeth Arden, StyleStory, and more, discussing the shifting landscape, emerging consumers, and strategies needed to stay ahead in this increasingly competitive market.
The buzz in the skin care market is deafening, with a cacophony of new launches, viral products, and emerging trends trying to grab attention. The beauty market overall is competitive, but the skin care market is doubly cutthroat. We have seen some great brands succumb to the pressures of the market while rather average brands continue to thrive.
“I think it’s as competitive as it has ever been,” Lauren Lee, founder of K-beauty retailer StyleStory. Since its launch in 2014, Lee has founded K-beauty brand Jelly Ko and a regulatory consultancy.
“I don’t think there have ever been as many brands or as many launches. It’s very, very competitive and you feel that in all of the different ways. To cut through the noise with a new product launch these days is hard. Even makeup brands have moved into the skin care market to check out the possibilities.”
Garnier brand renewal: Asia’s skin care ideals are ‘aspirational for the rest of the world’
Skin care brand Garnier unveiled a new and improved product line-up led by Asian innovation and green beauty mission.
Garnier announced its renewed product range at the Green Academy launch in Singapore.
“We are renewing all our products with more efficacious formulas, new packaging, and exciting breakthrough innovations made just for Asian skin,” said Andre Albarran, Garnier senior vice president of global marketing for emerging markets.
Albarran highlighted that one of the brand’s most successful products today, Bright Complete Vitamin C Serum, was developed with a focus on the SEA market.
‘Holistic head-to-toe solutions’: Justhuman expands neurocosmetic portfolio with first skin care launch
Neurocosmetic brand Justhuman launched its first skin care product on its way to develop a full suite of holistic beauty and personal care products.
The brand was established in 2021 by CEO Roshini Sanah Jaiswal and is headquartered in the US and India.
Justhuman rose to prominence as a pioneer in the neurocosmetics space.
“The simplest way to talk about neurocosmetics is that it’s about the communication between the brand and the skin. How does the skin talk to the brain in the most basic way? This is the something that has been in the pharmaceutical industry for decades with products like Tiger Balm and other topical muscle relaxers,” said Jaiswal.
Super shield: K-beauty brand develops sun protection patch to solve reapplication pain point
South Korean brand Franz Skincare developed patches that claim to offer broad-spectrum sun protection to address the challenge of sunscreen reapplication.
The Naked SunShield Peptide Patch is “an ultra-thin, highly breathable, nearly invisible sun patch that blocks 99.9% of UVB and 98.1% of UVA rays.”
“Up to two-thirds of people don’t remember to reapply sunscreen – and the incidence rate of skin cancer is rising. So, we introduced the Naked Sunshield Patch to address the challenge of frequent sunscreen reapplication,” said Myounghoon Jang, founder and CEO of parent company Biosensor Laboratories Inc.
In addition, the patches were infused with hyaluronic acid and peptides to provide skin benefits.
Proactive age management: Almora Botanica eyes huge opportunity among Gen Z ‘prejuvenation’ interest
Luxury Ayurvedic beauty brand Almora Botanica saw Generation Z rising interest in natural preventative ageing solutions as a major opportunity.
Almora Botanicals is a skin care brand based on Ayurvedic principles and adaptogenic ingredients. It was launched in 2023 by founder and chairman Ravi Prasad, former chairman of Himalaya Wellness.
Speaking to CosmeticsDesign-Asia, Prasad highlighted the significance of the preventative ageing movement – known as prejuvenation – among a younger set of consumers.
“Prejuvenation is more than a trend, it’s a truism. The preventative management of health is the basic tenet of Ayurveda. We are going back to our old roots, but the amazing thing is that Gen Z has picked up on it,” he said.
Dr.Ci:Labo: Phenylethyl resorcinol outperforms Vitamin C, niacinamide in treating hyperpigmentation
Dr.Ci:Labo claimed that new research on phenylethyl resorcinol demonstrates high efficacy in combating hyperpigmentation, surpassing the effectiveness of more well-known ingredients such as vitamin C and niacinamide.
This was based on a study on Dr.Ci:Labo’s new and improved 377VC Radiance Serum.
The serum was shown to improve transient UV-induced hyperpigmentation in seven days and skin brightening six times more than the blank control group.
The eight-week clinical study showed a significant improvement in solar lentigines and acne PIH, and the skin-brightening effect of target spots was maintained for two weeks after participants stopped using the product.
Origins’s Youthtopia highlights powerful potential of upcycled beauty ingredients
Origins’ latest Youthtopia series highlighted the transformative potential of upcycled beauty ingredients, and has spurred the brand to brand to explore future opportunities in upcycling.
Youthtopia was a new collection from natural beauty pioneer Origins that harnesses the preventative ageing potential of the apple – nature’s most iconic symbol of health.
The line launched with two products – the Peptide Plumping Apple Cream and the Refining Apple Peel.
The majority of the components are created from upcycled apples sourced from a 100-year-old family-run farm in Canada that makes products like applesauce.
Skin care consumers simplifying routines with focus on ‘five pillars’ – Dr Dennis Gross
Renowned dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross observed a refocus on the use of vitamin C, retinol, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, niacinamide and sun protection as skin care consumers look to streamline their routines.
He believed this movement is gaining momentum after the COVID-19 pandemic’s skin care boom, which has seen many people trying out new products.
“Consumers are going to go back to basics – focusing on incorporating the five pillar ingredients in their regimen: vitamin C, retinol, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, niacinamide and SPF,” said Gross, a board-certified practising dermatologist who also founded his eponymous brand.
“2024 will be a year where less is more – consumers will pare down their regimens to the essentials. During quarantine, many people added new products and extra steps to their regimen, essentially overtreating their skin, causing irritation, dryness and signs of ageing.”
