Skin care

Sun protector: DSM moves to strengthen its profile in the UV filter category

23-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

Cosmetic ingredient company DSM is enhancing its portfolio of UV filters as it aims to secure the ‘number one’ position in the sun care category.

Skin deep: Biotech start-up sees need for more ethnic Asian skin test models

23-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

A Singapore based biotech start-up hopes to carve out a niche for itself by specialising in Asian in-vitro skin models for cosmetic testing.

Top 10: Biggest stories on top beauty brands in APAC of 2019

23-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

We round up our top stories on the biggest names in beauty in 2019, featuring Shiseido, Amorepacific, Crabtree & Evelyn and more.

Brand story: Top news on the big-name beauty brands across APAC

20-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

We round up of our most-read brand-related stories of the region, featuring Kao Corp, Shiseido Group, L'Oréal Group and more.

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

19-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

In our round-up of the top five stories trending online, we highlight Malaysia’s vow to take action over ‘recycled’ cosmetics, Lucas Meyers Cosmetic’s active beauty ingredient, G&M’s Indian expansion and more.

Millennial mindset: HK cosmetics firm believes going against convention is the way forward

19-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

Hong Kong-based cosmetics OEM company Global Cosmetics is on a mission to modernise its business and tap into the millennial mindset as it prepares to expand internationally as a ‘full-service ideas company’.

Kao Corp develops beauty consultation service based on RNA monitoring technology

18-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetics company Kao Corporation has collaborated with tech start-up Preferred Networks Inc. to launch a new beauty consultation service that monitors RNA in sebum.

Top 10: Biggest stories on APAC cosmetics regulation in 2019

18-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

We round up our top stories on cosmetic regulation in APAC, featuring animal-testing, halal certification, adulterated cosmetics and more.

An ‘e-commerce’ firm no longer: Lazada Singapore CEO says the future is in ‘new retail’ space

17-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

South East Asian retailer Lazada says the lines are continuing to blur between online and offline, with the e-commerce giant unveiling a new physical store with Amorepacific in Singapore.

Top 10: Most-read stories on the biggest APAC beauty trends of 2019

17-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

We round up our biggest stories on the beauty and personal care trends of Asia Pacific in 2019, featuring insights from Alibaba, Kao Corporation, A.S. Watson and more.

Evidence-based naturals: Aussie brand Bayeco eyes international expansion as A-beauty trend grows

17-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

The founder of skin care brand Bayeco hopes to capitalise on growing A-beauty profile to drive the company’s growth on the back of clinical data.

Top 10: Most-read stories on APAC cosmetics suppliers in 2019

16-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

We take you through a round-up of the top stories featuring suppliers of cosmetic ingredients including Dow, Lonza, Givaudan, Croda and more.

e’quipe to strengthen global business with launch of active wellness beauty brand

16-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

Cosmetic firm e’quipe Ltd. has announced the launch of athletia, a skin care and lifestyle brand that taps into the rising active beauty and wellness trends in the market.

Sustainable palm oil push: PZ Cussons ‘immediate priorities’ satellite tracking and supplier engagement

13-Dec-2019 By Kacey Culliney

PZ Cussons will continue monitoring its palm oil supply chain through independent satellite tracking technology and work closely with high-impact and smallholder suppliers for the last push on its goal of 100% ‘no deforestation, no peat and no exploitation’...

Indie Pioneers Podcast

‘Good products take time’: Re:erth founder debunks fast fashion culture in beauty

13-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

On this episode of Indie Pioneers, we speak to Shinji Yamasaki, the founder of skin care brand re:erth about his philosophy to skin care, the influence of fast fashion in beauty and the unique ingredients that sparked his epiphany.

Special Edition Newsletter: Water Reduction Formulation

How to get water reduction formulation right

12-Dec-2019 By Simon Pitman

The waterless and water reduction trend is definitely continuing to grow as consumers reach out for products that are both more convenient, particularly for on-the-go, as well as more environmentally friendly.

Fashion friends: L'Oréal announces Prada tie-up for 2021 luxury beauty line launch

12-Dec-2019 By Kacey Culliney

Global beauty major L'Oréal has signed a long-term license agreement with high-end Italian fashion house Prada to develop a luxury beauty line it says will be an ‘ideal complement’ to its Luxe brands.

Korea focus: Most-read stories on South Korean beauty industry

12-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

We round-up our top stories on the exciting South Korean cosmetics market, featuring Innerbottle’s Series A funding, a study on oat extract for eczema, Dr. Ci:Labo’s travel retail efforts in the region and more.

Wipro moves in on South African cosmetics market with Canway acquisition

12-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

Singapore-based personal care firm Wipro Consumer Care has agreed to acquire Canway Corporation to gain a foothold in the South African personal care market.

Insatiable appetite: Strong customer demand in China pushing A.S. Watson Group to open more stores

11-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

Health and beauty retailer A.S. Watson Group has no plans to slow down its growth in China even after celebrating its 3,800th store in the country.

Encapsulation tech experts Nanovetores looks to ‘outstanding’ Asian market to drive its growth

11-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

Brazilian cosmetics ingredient company Nanovetores sees potential to strengthen its Asia business on the back of the huge demand for whitening products, fuelled by the region’s growing middle-class.

Cosmopack Asia 2019

Premium potential: Virospack targets China expansion as domestic industry goes upmarket

11-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

Dropper maker Virospack believes there is huge potential in China’s domestic market as more local beauty brands begin to position themselves in the premium category.

Taiwanese organic beauty brand re-positions as ‘clean’ to target US market opportunities

10-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

Organic skin care brand Inna Organic is looking to capture more consumers in the US by repositioning itself as a ‘clean’ beauty advocate.

Amazonian cosmetics player goes Halal, starts shipping to Middle East

10-Dec-2019 By Simon Pitman

Biozer, a Brazilian cosmetics player from the Amazon region, has secured Halal certification for its Simbioze Amazonica range and is about to start shipping to countries in the Middle East.

Nail polish, face cream and perfumes touted as attractive sectors for halal cosmetics growth in 2020

10-Dec-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Halal nail polish, face cream, perfumes, and sustainable cosmetics were touted as the hot sectors for cosmetics growth in 2020.

Autophagy and ageing: Kao’s new research reveals decline of body’s ‘recycling’ process

10-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

The latest research from Kao Corporation has revealed a link between autophagy activity decline and signs of intrinsic ageing and photoaging.

The next Netflix of beauty? ‘We are yet to see a truly disruptive player’: Euromonitor

06-Dec-2019 By Kacey Culliney

Disruptive innovation in beauty is rare but industry can create fresh consumer needs and develop products that don’t currently exist, with the right thinking, says Euromonitor International.

Japan focus: Top stories on the Japanese cosmetics industry

05-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

We round-up our most-read stories on the Japanese beauty market, featuring Kao’s fine-fibre skin care, Dr. Ci:Labo’s travel retail activations and Shiseido’s final year revisions.

Gallery: Top 10 beauty and cosmetic stories of November 2019

05-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

Check out our recap of the most-read beauty and personal care stories of November 2019 – featuring Kao’s first fine-fibre skin care, Shiseido’s heat-powered sun screens, an expert’s take on the microbiome trend in China, and more.

Cosmoprof Asia 2019

Black Chicken Remedies aiming to expand into Asian market as ‘clean’ trend grows

04-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

The CEO of Aussie beauty and wellness brand Black Chicken Remedies believes the brand has growth potential In Asia’s budding clean beauty space.

Cosmoprof Asia 2019

Same, but different: AOBiome aims to capture China market with Mother Dirt 'twin'

04-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

US-based microbiome company AOBiome is poised to tackle the Chinese market with AO+ Skincare, a new brand based on its own probiotic beauty brand, Mother Dirt.

Hope and beauty: Kao to kick off Kanebo rebrand with launch of 44 new make-up items in 2020

04-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetics conglomerate Kao Corporation is set to release 44 new colour cosmetic products in February 2020 to mark the official rebrand of cosmetics brand Kanebo.

‘Smart’ skin care: SkinBioTherapeutics strikes deal with Croda International on microbiome tech

03-Dec-2019 By Kacey Culliney

UK skin health firm SkinBioTherapeutics has signed a commercial deal with Croda International for the development of a microbiome-targeted skin care ingredient using its patented technology.

Special Edition Newsletter: Water Reduction Formulation

Bring Your Own Water: the rise of dry and reconstitutable beauty

03-Dec-2019 By Deanna Utroske

More personal care product formulas are coming to market that require the consumer to add water before (or during) application.

Special Edition Newsletter: Water Reduction Formulation

A solid future: Could flexible pads mark a fresh sustainable cleansing movement?

03-Dec-2019 By Kacey Culliney

Solids have gained plenty of traction as a sustainable alternative in personal care, requiring less water and packaging. And with innovation lathering up nicely, the future suggests innovative variants beyond the traditional soap bar may soon win shelf...

Special Edition Newsletter: Water Reduction Formulation

New wave H2O: Tapping into fruits, vegetables and plants as alternative sources of water

03-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

As worries of freshwater supplies continue to mount, the cosmetics industry must challenge itself look to more unconventional sources of H2O, such as coconuts, birch tree water and seaweed, to reduce its freshwater footprint.

in-cosmetics Asia 2019

Skin food for the soul: Cargill’s emulsifier invites consumers to ‘reconnect’ with themselves

03-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

Cosmetics ingredient supplier Cargill Beauty aims to help consumers harmonise mind and body with the launch of its latest newest innovation, StarDesign Power.

What’s next? Experts from top MNCs weigh in on Asia’s upcoming beauty trends

03-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

Skin scientists from Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble, and Shiseido have deliberated the future trends and challenges shaping the cosmetics market in Asia Pacific, with personalisation, holistic products and protection identified as major opportunities.

Eco expert: It’s time for a ‘green game-changing’ beauty revolution

02-Dec-2019 By Kacey Culliney

As the world declares a climate and ecological crisis, the beauty and personal care industry must kick-start green game-changing innovation, moving beyond simple nip-tucks so common across the board, says an expert consultant.

Bright idea: South Korean fashion firm Michaa enters beauty space with sun care-focused brand

02-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

Sisun International, the company behind South Korean apparel retailer Michaa, is looking to expand its business into the cosmetics market with its newly launched sun care brand.

Cosmoprof Asia 2019

Pro-beauty at home: Amorepacific launches ‘home-aesthetic’ brand to meet demand for result-driven cosmetics

02-Dec-2019 By Amanda Lim

South Korean cosmetics conglomerate Amorepacific is scheduled to launch its first ever professional-grade beauty brand Holitual to meet rising consumer desire to have effective skin treatments in the comfort of their home.

Amazon and eBay remove illegal mercury-containing skin lighteners following NGO exposé

29-Nov-2019 By Kacey Culliney

Online retail giants Amazon and eBay have pulled several illegal skin lightening creams containing mercury sold in the UK, Belgium and US following investigative findings from international NGO coalition The Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG).

Skin science: Top five stories on cosmetics science and formulation in APAC

28-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

We dive into our most-read stories on formulation and science, featuring Shiseido’s latest research on yeast, ways to transform waste materials and more.

in-cosmetics Asia 2019

Blue light and beyond: Corum’s latest tests show benefits of vitamin C derivative

28-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

The latest round of tests on Corum’s multi-functional vitamin C derivative, Et-VC, has revealed its capabilities as an anti-blue light active.

Clean & ethical beauty 2020: CosmeticsDesign Summit returns to unravel key insights

27-Nov-2019 By CosmeticsDesign-Europe Staff

Clean and ethical has taken the food and nutrition world by storm, and following hot on its heels is beauty. The movement has been flourishing in cosmetics and personal care for some time now and will soar in due course, propelled by the continued and...

Singapore’s Suu Balm extends product line with scalp spray and facial products

27-Nov-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Singapore-based Suu Balm has launched three new products, a scalp spray, facial cream and facial wash, extending its product range from the body to scalp and face.

Playing games: J&J-owned Dr. Ci:Labo ramps up travel retail presence to attract more Chinese consumers

27-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Japanese skin care label Dr. Ci:Labo is tapping into travel retail with a virtual interactive game targeted at Chinese consumers travelling in South Korea.

in-cosmetics Asia 2019

Red is the new blue: Croda says infrared protection will be the next trend in beauty

27-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Ingredients supplier Croda is looking to tap into what it believes is the next trend in protective skin care – infrared protection - with its latest physical shield, Infraveil IT-100.

Elemis a ‘strong growth driver’ for L’Occitane in first half of FY2020

26-Nov-2019 By Kacey Culliney

L’Occitane’s acquisition of Elemis in January has contributed to strong growth across the group for the first half of FY2020, with overall net sales up 22.1% and extremely fast growth in the UK.