Skin care

Indonesia halal rules: Cosmetics have until 2026 to comply with new law

26-Nov-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Consumer halal products such as skin care and cosmetics that are imported, distributed and traded in Indonesia must now be ratified according to the country’s halal product law, which officially kicked in last month.

CD Buzz Video

M&A activity hints at new realities in the beauty sector

25-Nov-2019 By Deanna Utroske

This past week Coty bought controlling stake in Kylie Cosmetics, The Estée Lauder Companies acquired Korea-based skin care brand Dr Jart+, and Olaplex accepted a private equity deal from Advent International. To get a sense of what these transactions...

‘Beware what you buy’: Natural and organic skincare brand strives to drive demand in Malaysia

25-Nov-2019 By Richard Whitehead

Malaysia is poised to see a boom in beauty products containing natural and organic ingredients, despite there currently being meagre demand on the market.

in-cosmetics Asia 2019

No sweat: Lucas Meyers Cosmetics targets active beauty trend with new launch

25-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Ingredients maker Lucas Meyers Cosmetics has launched a flower-powered anti-ageing active that it claims can reduce sweat gland activity to keep skin looking fresh post-workout.

China Focus: Our top stories featuring China’s cosmetics industry

25-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

We round-up our most-read news pieces about China, featuring the potential of C-beauty, the growing local fine fragrance space, Mary Kay’ efforts to connect with younger Chinese consumers and more.

SCS FORMULATE 2019

A ‘super exciting’ future for cosmetics: Think reductionism and sustainability as a side effect, says futurologist

21-Nov-2019 By Kacey Culliney

Consumer sentiment around consumption is shifting and the cosmetics industry must start reducing offerings and making sustainability a side effect, rather than selling point, says a futurologist.

Demystifying hemp and cannabidiol: Introducing the CBD Global Summit

21-Nov-2019 By Katy Askew

CBD has caught the public's imagination as an ingredient offering a host of potential health benefits. But for all the hype, CBD also courts controversy. To move from a trending ingredient to an ingredient trend, the sector will need to address some...

Laws and regulation: Top news on cosmetics regulation across the APAC region

21-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

We round-up of our most-read cosmetics regulation stories of the region, featuring HSA’s view on free-from claims, Indonesia’s goal to process more palm oil and a new online web tool to help the halal certification processes.

in-cosmetics Asia 2019

Stable and sustainable: Lubrizol hopes microalgae-derived oil can tap into rising Asia trends

21-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Speciality chemical company Lubrizol was at this year’s in-cosmetics Asia in Bangkok to showcase its microalgae-derived oil which it claims to be the most stable liquid vegetable oil on the market.

Cosmopack Asia 2019

Sustainable packaging: Innerbottle gears up for Series A funding as it takes on the global cosmetic market

20-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

South Korean packaging start-up Innerbottle will soon be starting its first round of funding as it seeks to take its sustainable packaging solution to the world stage.

The personalised beauty challenge? Safety assessment ‘more complex’, says expert

19-Nov-2019 By Kacey Culliney

The rise of personalised cosmetics and personal care products will continue to surge, and with this comes new challenges associated with safety assessment on ingredients and blends, says a consultant.

The rise of conscious consumerism: 'The cosmetic world is heavily affected by such considerations', says expert

19-Nov-2019 By Simon Pitman

Consumers have become more educated when purchasing goods and increasingly consider the impact products have on the world, and this is heavily impacting the cosmetics world and can, quite literally, determine whether a brand is successful or not, according...

China’s NMPA orders additional tests on cosmetic products containing sunscreen agent

19-Nov-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China has released new regulations on additional testing requirements for beauty products that contain sunscreen agents.

in-Cosmetics Asia 2019

VIDEO: Ashland tackles natural and sustainable sun screen concerns with new cellulose-based film former

19-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Ashland has launched its first natural water-resistant film former, which it believes is the keystone to formulating more natural and sustainable sun screens.

Countering counterfeits: Swedish skintech brand Foreo wins IP battle in China

18-Nov-2019 By Kacey Culliney

Foreo has won a two-year intellectual property battle in China – a massive breakthrough that gives strong signals to fraudulent skin care companies, its UK and Ireland general manager says.

in-cosmetics Asia 2019

Body is the new face: Gattefossé eyes potential in the APAC body care category

18-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Cosmetics company Gattefossé has revealed new clinical data for one of its anti-aging actives that highlights its effectiveness as a body care ingredient.

Blacklist pledge: Malaysia vows to take action over dangerous and adulterated cosmetics

18-Nov-2019 By Richard Whitehead

Malaysia’s health ministry is in the process of finding ways to punish companies selling recycled and dangerous cosmetics from next year.

Brand story: Our top stories on the biggest beauty brands in APAC

15-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

We round up of our most-read brand-related stories of the region, featuring Shiseido, Natura, Kao and more.

‘Avoiding gender-based stereotypes’: Confidence top trait associated with masculinity in today’s beauty market

14-Nov-2019 By Kacey Culliney

Gender norms are morphing and masculinity ideals shifting, and beauty players must keep up and focus on confidence and holistic health – important for male consumers, says Euromonitor International.

‘Game-changing’ beauty in bricks: Lush opens two concept stores and a mega Munich site

14-Nov-2019 By Kacey Culliney

Lush has opened its second-largest European store in Munich, along with two concept stores – a ‘fresh’ cosmetics outlet in Paris and a ‘perfume library’ in Florence – showcasing a clear nod to bricks and mortar in the region.

in-cosmetics Asia 2019

Dow targets diverse SEA region with collection of inclusivity-driven beauty solutions

13-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Specialty chemical company Dow has unveiled a set of innovative beauty solutions that cater to the diverse needs of South East Asian consumers at this year’s in-cosmetics Asia.

Shiseido expects full-year sales to dip by as much as $275m due to market uncertainties

13-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetics maker Shiseido is revising its full-year forecast due to the increasingly challenging business environment in several markets.

E-commerce effect: China poised to overtake US in beauty sales despite slowing economy

13-Nov-2019 By Richard Whitehead

China has been outgunning the United States in beauty sales to the point that it should overtake its market by 2023, even if growth slows, according to a new report by JP Morgan.

Special Edition: Biotechnology for Natural Formulation

Has biotech made more natural beauty ingredients available?

12-Nov-2019 By Deanna Utroske

Here, Cosmetics Design looks at a selection of ingredients, made possible through biotechnology, that have come to market in recent years and how those new inputs figure into the natural and green beauty movements.

Special Edition: Biotechnology for Natural Formulation

Waste to wealth: How agri and fishery firms are finding value in cosmetics with biotech

12-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Players in the agricultural and fishing industries are turning to cosmetics to help raise the worth of undervalued resources in other industries.

Special Edition: Biotechnology for Natural Formulation

The surge of the decade? Reflecting on a ‘renaissance’ in plant cell culture tech for cosmetics

12-Nov-2019 By Kacey Culliney

Consumer desire for sustainable and natural cosmetics continues to fuel the surge in interest around plant cell culture technology, with huge advances made in the past ten years, academics say.

Biotechnology for Natural Formulation

Three biotech ingredient technologies that are raising the bar on sustainable beauty

12-Nov-2019 By Simon Pitman

Biotechnology has been heralded as a less costly, more efficient means of producing a range of active ingredients for beauty and personal care, but perhaps the biggest advantage is the sustainability factor.

Brazil authorities give Natura’s Avon acquisition green light

12-Nov-2019 By Simon Pitman

Competition authorities have given their approval to Natura & Co’s acquisition of Avon Products Inc, citing no restrictions for the deal.

Good sprout: Oat extract found to reduce eczema symptoms – Korea study

12-Nov-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Sprouted oat extract has potential as an ingredient to help alleviate eczema symptoms, with a new study from Korea showing it reduced skin itchiness and erythema by 32%.

New reality: China, millennial and Gen Z consumers are driving the future of AI and AR beauty tech

07-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Tech company Perfect Corp believes AI- and AR-powered technology will play an increasingly essential role in the beauty industry, thanks to China’s tech-driven ecosystems and the interest of young consumers.

Microbiome in China: Cosmetic trend will ‘heat up’ by the end of 2020, says expert

07-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

China is on the verge of a skin microbiome boom as consumers continue on their relentless quest for an “antidote to modern lifestyles”.

Beauty online: Our most-read stories on the online beauty market

07-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

We round up our top stories on e-commerce developments featuring Drunk Elephant, RMK and SUQQU's expansion into China's cross-border e-commerce channels and more.

Cream of the crop: New Japanese study claims to have developed the “perfect” skin cream

06-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

A team of Japanese scientists have developed an alpha-gel which contains a compound that resembles the main component of the skin’s moisture-retaining lipid layer.

A for beauty: Samson & Charlie to embark on Asia expansion as demand for Aussie products soars

06-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

The founder of Aussie-based natural beauty brand Samson & Charlie is optimistic of “exciting growth” prospects in Asia Pacific as demand for Australian-made products grow.

‘Fine fibre’ first: Kao to release first cosmetic products based on skin hydration technology

06-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetics maker Kao Corporation will launch the first products based on its new ‘fine-fibre’ technology in its domestic market from December 4, with an international roll-out following in early 2020.

Geltor signs exclusive deal with ingredient distributor Connell

05-Nov-2019 By Deanna Utroske

The partnership, announced today, expands the reach of Geltor’s animal-free, GMO-free collagen proteins, making the biotech ingredients available to personal care and beauty makers across the Asia-Pacific.

GALLERY: Our top 10 most-read stories of October

05-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Check out our recap of the most read cosmetics stories of October, featuring the latest in beauty innovation, trends and regulations.

Indian expansion: Australia’s G&M Cosmetics seizes growth opportunities in booming market

05-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Australian cosmetics manufacture G&M Cosmetics will be expanding into India with its full range of personal care products starting early 2020.

L'Oréal invests in VC fund to strengthen ties with beauty tech start-ups in China

05-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

L'Oréal has made a strategic investment in global venture capital fund Cathay Innovation to reinforce its connection to the beauty tech start-up ecosystem, particularly in China.

Editor's Spotlight

Ingredient makers are going indie

04-Nov-2019 By Deanna Utroske

It’s no longer unusual for multinational raw material suppliers to work with indie beauty brands; but it’s still not the norm. Here Cosmetics Design looks at an array of legacy specialty chemical companies doing business directly with cosmetics, personal...

Thermal power: Shiseido plans to release new sun care products which strengthen with heat

04-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Shiseido plans to release improved sun care products that incorporate its newly discovered technology, which claims to reinforce sun protection with thermal energy generated from the sun.

Beauty Broadcast video series

VIDEO: Beauty meets tech – How gadgets are changing the landscape of skin care in APAC

01-Nov-2019 By Amanda Lim

Home-use devices may be set to become a staple in beauty routines across the region, as consumers in Asia continue to spend more on their skin than ever before

Waste wonder: Researchers to transform fungus for sunscreen and cherry for skin care

31-Oct-2019 By Richard Whitehead

A consortium of researchers in South Australia and international companies are to embark on finding ways to turn swathes of crop waste into value-added products, including chitosans from unwanted mushrooms for sunblock and anthocyanins from cherries for...

Korea Focus: Our most-read stories on the K-beauty industry

31-Oct-2019 By Amanda Lim

We round up our top stories on South Korean beauty, featuring Quadpack’s ambitions in the market, why K-beauty may be losing its lustre in Singapore, Chungnam National University’s eco-microbeads study and more.

Shiseido believes Drunk Elephant has ‘only just scratched’ the surface of its potential

31-Oct-2019 By Amanda Lim

Japanese beauty conglomerate Shiseido is looking to accelerate US-based Drunk Elephant’s global footprint to “maximise” the brand’s opportunities for growth and development.

L’Oréal's Luxe and Active divisions ‘particularly dynamic’ for Q3, says CEO

30-Oct-2019 By Kacey Culliney

L’Oréal has secured strong third-quarter earnings across its global business, driven largely by dynamic growth in its Luxe and Active divisions and business has accelerated across Eastern Europe.

‘Adding value’: Indonesia president vows to process more palm oil for domestic cosmetics growth

30-Oct-2019 By Richard Whitehead

Indonesian President Joko Widodo wants to process more palm oil at home for goods including cosmetics and personal care items.

‘Green and cost-efficient’: Tiny ‘springs’ found to break down microplastics safely

30-Oct-2019 By Richard Whitehead

Australian researchers have developed a new approach to purging water sources of the scourge of microplastics without harming the environment by using carbon-based coils.

ASEAN Cosmetics Directive: Decoding the regulation differences within the region

30-Oct-2019 By Amanda Lim

Although the objective of the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive is to harmonise regulations across the region, several key differences still pose challenges to entering certain markets.

Clean beauty ingredient evaluation progam has arrived

29-Oct-2019 By Deanna Utroske

Amy Ziff, founder of certification program Made Safe, announced the new ingredient evaluation program called Nontoxic Certified last week at the Raise the Green Bar Summit in New York City.