From soil to skin: L’Oréal dives into soil microbe research to extract the best of nature
L’Oréal and a team of researchers from Singapore announced it would study soil microbes and how it can improve soil quality and increase plant yields in a sustainable manner.
In April, the French cosmetics giant announced a strategic partnership with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to embark on soil microbe research.
The joint research initiative aimed to find new ways to improve soil health and increase plant yield without needing more land or relying on chemical fertilisers.
The aim of this pioneering research was to enhance the yield and quality of cosmetics ingredients without compromising on sustainability.
Skin sanctuary: SK-II’s new retail concept marks ‘beginning of a new era’ in elevating consumer experience
Prestige skin care brand SK-II highlighted the importance of ‘unique consumer experiences’ with the launch of new concept store in Malaysia.
In June, SK-II celebrated the launch of a first-of-its-kind concept store, which presented a reimagined retail experience for shoppers, emphasising the brand’s storied heritage.
“With the new retail concept, we wanted to bring to our consumer a unique experience to immerse in our brand’s rich heritage like they’ve never experienced before– from our origin story to our decades of science, craftsmanship and innovations,” said Sue Kyung Lee, president, Procter & Gamble Global Skin and Personal Care.
“We are relentlessly looking to find new meaningful ways to connect with and inspire our consumers through the stories of our brand and the millions of women who have experienced the transformative power of PITERA.”
The Bvlgari ‘paradox’: Luxury brand prudent about Asia expansion despite appetite for high-end fragrances
Italian luxury brand Bvlgari said it was eyeing huge opportunities in fast-growing luxury markets like India and Vietnam but would not rush an expansion despite the immense interest in high-end fragrances.
As part of its strategy to enhance brand desirability, BVLGARI has significantly limited its distribution network, reducing its global points of sale to around 6,000 – less than a quarter of what it used to have five years ago – with about one-third of global distribution in Asia.
“Five years ago, it was 25,000. We cut 75% of distribution just to focus on where it really matters and pay tribute to the full universe of the brand,” said Jonathan Brinbaum, BVLGARI’s global managing director of the fragrances business unit.
This saw BVLGARI completely withdraw its operations in some markets such as South Korea, where it recently re-entered last year.
‘Six big bets’: Unilever identifies six key demand spaces to advance India beauty business
Unilever’s Indian subsidiary said it would invest in six key areas including sun care, masstige, and weatherproof body care to further its goal of becoming “a world-class beauty company”.
Hindustan Unilever (HUL) chief executive and managing director Rohit Jawa said the firm’s goal was to build a “future-fit portfolio” that would enable the firm to meet the rapidly evolving needs of its beauty consumers.
“The Indian beauty market is rapidly shifting with changing lifestyles, increased disposable income, exposure to global trends and a growing emphasis on self-care and wellness,” said Jawa.
The six specific segments it highlighted included face cleansing, sun care, light moisturisation, serums and treatments, weatherproof body care, and masstige beauty.
Clé de Peau Beauté rolls out plans to elevate customer experiences amid global expansion
Shiseido’s prestige skin care brand Clé de Peau Beauté aimed to elevate customer engagement through innovative retail approaches, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to excellence on a global scale.
The brand’s initiative to create luxury retail environments that captivate and engage customers aimed to set new benchmarks in luxury skin care experiences.
“As a luxury group brand, we recognise that the real-life brand experience of our customers is extremely important, and we are committed to enhancing the brand experience as our top priority, thereby increasing the engagement with our customers by providing a one-of-a-kind experience that exceeds their expectations,” said Mizuki Hashimoto, and I’m the Chief Brand Officer of Clé de Peau Beauté.
Hashimoto highlighted the importance of reinforcing the Asian market while furthering its expansion in the Western regions.
‘We are optimistic’: Beiersdorf closing in on China’s approval for brightening ingredient
Beiersdorf’s chief executive was “optimistic” about getting China’s regulatory approval for its hero ingredient W630, which would allow it to launch a wider range of products in the lucrative market.
During Beiersdorf’s 2023 full-year results on February 29, chief executive Vincent Warnery, told analysts that the process has been going on smoothly.
“I can tell you that we are progressing well. I was myself in January meeting the local FDA, the NIFDC. We are also meeting last week also to finalise the submission of the file. And we will present the file officially to the NIFDC next week in Beijing. So, we are optimistic.
Warnery did not give a definite timeline of when the approval might come through if approved.
‘East meets west’: Estée Lauder will launch Japan-produced quasi-drug skin range in September
American luxury brand Estée Lauder was set to launch a quasi-drug skin care line, Aqua Charge, in September that was researched, developed, and produced in Japan.
The Aqua Charge range was developed in collaboration with Yushin Shuzo, a sake brewery based in the Kagawa Prefecture.
According to the company, the range “from development to manufacturing, was 100% produced in Japan and tested on Japanese women.”
Additionally, its safety has been confirmed on tests on sensitive skin, said the firm.
Precision skin care: Kao will scale up RNA skin analysis with Curél, Sofina IP in 2025
Kao Corporation will roll out its ribonucleic acid (RNA) analysis subscription model service to its Curél and Sofina brands next year.
As part of its digital transformation (DX) initiatives, Kao said it would accelerate the commercialisation of its RNA monitoring technology.
In April, the company debuted the Est Skin Athlete Gym, a subscription beauty programme that develops “personalised luxury solutions”.
The aim of the programme is to “help customers develop lifelong beauty habits through skin care lessons, treatment experiences, and online and offline counselling”.
‘Flexibility and creativity’: Behind Coty’s efforts to bolster its prestige beauty portfolio in India
American beauty multinational Coty pushed its marketing efforts for brands such as Burberry Beauty and Kylie Cosmetics as it nurtures its prestige beauty business in India.
India represents the long-term growth opportunities for the company. At the end of last year, it inked a deal with distributor House of Beauty (HOB) to boost its presence in the market.
“While we are still in the nascent stages of development, we are encouraged by the reception and initial feedback we have received from consumers,” said Kristina Strunz, managing director, SEAI, Coty.
Strunz told CosmeticsDesign-Asia that its emerging position in the market has given the company “greater flexibility and ability to be creative”, qualities that she said was essential in a market as dynamic as India.
Neutrogena aims to capture ‘substantial opportunities’ in Thailand’s anti-ageing market
Skin care major Neutrogena believed it could lead the anti-ageing skin care segment in Thailand on the back of its retinol-based launch this year.
Thailand’s facial skin care market is rapidly growing, driven by the global demand for anti-ageing products.
“The facial skin care market in Thailand alone is valued at over 10 billion baht, growing by 13% in the past year, with continuous expansion anticipated in 2024. The global trend towards youthful skin has made skin care addressing ageing concerns increasingly popular among consumers worldwide,” said Ravi Bordia, general manager of Neutrogena Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
“With an increasing trend and awareness of anti-ageing products among all age groups, there is a substantial opportunity for anti-ageing skin care in Thailand. Today, anti-ageing contributes to 30% of the total facial moisturiser [category] in Thailand,” added Chaweena Chitsomboon, marketing director for Neutrogena Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
