Skin care

Thailand’s FDA warns about counterfeit Korean cosmetics

22-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

According to Thailand's FDA, more than 1,000 counterfeit cosmetics brands have been found in the country under false licence numbers, claiming to be skin lighteners from South Korea.

The ‘sweet treats’ influencing South Korea's beauty industry

21-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Research firm, Gama has taken stock of the ‘sweet treats’ influencing the beauty industry in 2015, where confectionery aromas are bringing a sensory element to colour cosmetics.

Estée Lauder acknowledges beauty blogger power with Korean ambassador

21-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

With beauty bloggers having more influence now than ever, Estée Lauder is the latest brand to acknowledge their sway on cosmetics buying behaviours by signing up Korean YouTube star, Irene Kim as its 'international beauty voice'. 

Beware of 'polite business'! The challenges of cracking Japan's cosmetics market

17-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Establishing or indeed sustaining business in Japan's cosmetics market depends on the seamless interaction and integration with its culture, not something every international company has managed to get right...

Men boost South Korea's cosmetics sales

17-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As the women's cosmetics market becomes saturated, male grooming is leading the way in South Korea, which has seen personal care companies step up their marketing efforts with men.

Scientists discover 'restorative face creams' help lower embarrassment ratings

16-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Research carried out by scientists at Sun Yat-Sen University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong reveals that people feeling embarrassed are more likely to choose items that hide or 'repair' the face.

Datamonitor Comment

As China's women fight for 'body hair freedom', how will the personal care sector be hit?

16-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As men strive to keep themselves baby smooth, women are now challenging the characteristics of traditional femininity, one of which being hairless armpits, by growing their underarm hair.

Seaweed - hugely favoured in cosmetics, sees high attendance at focused conference in Korea

09-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Seaweed harvesters around the globe have seen demand skyrocket in recent years as science discovered the macro algae beneficial for the farming, food and beauty industries. In Asia, seaweed joins the growing number of anti-ageing actives claiming to stimulate...

AmorePacific invests in Jeju 'hub' to encourage tourism

09-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

AmorePacific has invested in South Korea's Jeju Province to establish a hub that will allow the software, beauty and tourism industries to form a network and gain access to tools that develop products.

Kosé signs up Kate Moss for luxury brand 'Cosme Decorte'

08-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As Kosé enters its 45th year, the company is tapping into fashion and beauty’s top talents – Kate Moss and Mario Testino as it carries out its global expansion plans.

China market set for slower growth as economy cools

07-Jul-2015 By Simon Pitman

After the massive boom in the China cosmetics market seen during the past decade, growth continues at a breakneck pace, but is the slowest since 2005, reflecting signs of economic maturity.

Hong Kong warns public of 'excessive mercury' found in skin care cream

02-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Hong Kong's Department of Health has appealed to members of the public not to buy or use a cosmetic cream product as it may contain excessive mercury.

L'Oreal acknowledges South Korea for dermatology initiative

02-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

At the 23rd World Congress of Dermatology, South Korea represented the Asia Pacific region for its 'voluntary social responsibility and hard work' in the area of dermatology.

Japan leads the way in nutricosmetics innovation

01-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As consumers in Asia become aware of the benefits of nutricosmetics, the region is set to dominate the global growth of the segment as demand for green credentials takes on major influence. 

New Zealand scientists find Kanuka honey to bee the cure for rosacea sufferers

01-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Scientists have discovered that New Zealand Kanuka honey in skin care gives new hope for the 5-10% of adults who suffer from rosacea, a chronic red facial rash where long-term antibiotics are the standard treatment.

First in-cosmetics Korea show 'exceeds industry expectation'

30-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

According to the organisers of in-cosmetics Korea, the event on June 15-16th lived up to its promise of 'new international show for Korea', exceeding industry expectations.

South Korea skin care device demand drives innovation

25-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Without question, Korea has one of the longest beauty routines in the world and seekers of perfect skin have recently been introduced to devices that make that regime easier. South Korea start-up, Way is one firm innovating for this trend with a digital...

PolyOne invests in Shanghai polymer innovation center

25-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

PolyOne, polymer materials provider has opened a new innovation center in Shanghai to 'increase speed-to-market' for customers in Asia Pacific.

Unilever introduces 'Talent Week' to stay on top of 'cutting-edge methodologies'

24-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Unilever North Asia held a 'talent learning week' for thousands of employees in Shanghai as part of a strategy to encourage cutting-edge methodologies in 'the real business world'.

AkzoNobel sees South East Asia's value with €30 million Thailand investment

24-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As South East Asia continues to evolve as a lucrative market for the cosmetics industry, AkzoNobel is investing more than €30 million in a Thailand based facility.

Skin care and sun care bring top revenue in the Asia Pacific

23-Jun-2015 By Deanna Utroske

Those segments accounted for nearly half of the cosmetics market share in the region last year, according to a newly released report from ApacMarket.com that examines the business in six countries.

@cosme beauty awards announced in Japan

23-Jun-2015 By Simon Pitman

@cosme, an online review portal for cosmetics and beauty products, has announced the first ever Spring/Summer awards for Best Cosmetics of 2015.

Unilever shakes up marketing approach with Google partnership

18-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Hindustan Unilever is shaking up its marketing approach by teaming up content creators like Facebook and Google in an effort to move away from traditional product placement.  

L’Oréal entrusts Singapore University with display design

18-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

L'Oréal's travel retail Asia division has again entrusted the National University of Singapore with the design of an exhibition that showcased 22 of its brands for a recent TFWA event.

Japan to further ease visa restrictions to boost sales

17-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The Japanese government is reducing its visa requirements as well as investing in language services to encourage tourist spending in the country.

Olay 'breakthrough study' discovers gene expression changes that impact the skin's ageing process

17-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Olay has carried out in-depth research that shows how gene expression changes impact the appearance and quality of women's skin as they age across every decade.

Southeast Asia ramps up biggest demand for halal cosmetics

16-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

According to Future Market Insights, Southeast Asia accounts for the bulk of the demand for halal cosmetics in the region, due to high Muslim populations.

Global beauty research finds Japanese are the 'most critical' of their looks

11-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

According to a global survey by market researcher GfK, while half of the people were found to be 'fairly' or 'completely' satisfied with their looks, Japan's people are the most self-critical with over 1 in 10 'not at all...

Asia's the second largest cosmetics market after Europe, experts report

11-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

According to the latest research from ApacMarket.com, Asia-Pacific is the second largest market for cosmetics after Europe, expected to reach $126.8 billion by 2020, registering a CAGR of 4.02%.

Skincare Ingredients 2015

Skin care - regulatory updates you do not want to miss!

11-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The ever-changing skin care segment is seeing break-neck growth and demand for natural and anti-ageing products. Thus, keeping up with legislation on a global scale can be a challenge..

Fujifilm signs new deal with Algatech to expand astaxanthin supply

10-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

After almost a decade of sourcing Algatech’s astaxanthin as the main active for its Astalift skin care products, Fujifilm has now signed a supply and long-term agreement to distribute the company's astaxanthin raw materials in Japan.

Skincare Ingredients 2015

June 24th is the date to put in your diaries for Skincare Ingredients 2015

09-Jun-2015 By Simon Pitman

The fifth edition of Skincare Ingredients will go live on June 24th, in just two weeks, with a full conference program that tackles some of the most crucial issues in the skin care category.

Sensai focuses on Asian market after European success

09-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

After seeing huge success in Europe, Kanebo is refocusing on the expansion of luxury skin care brand Sensai in Asia.

P&G invests in Singapore's 3-D human skin research

04-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Personal care giant, Procter & Gamble is funding a five-year research project to develop 3D printed skin tissue with Singapore's government’s Agency for Science, Technology & Research.

Post show: China Beauty Expo organisers report success

04-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

According to the organisers of the China Beauty Expo, the 20th edition of the country’s 'biggest cosmetics event' reinforced its status in the market this year.

Taiwan to follow EU's ban on estrogen in cosmetics

04-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Taiwan could impose a ban on the use of three kinds of estrogen — estradiol, estrone and ethinylestradiol in cosmetics by 2016.

Shiseido confirms Burberry deal!

03-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Shiseido has confirmed it has signed an agreement with luxury fragrance house Burberry to distribute its colour cosmetics and fragrance products in Japan.

P&G sets off on 3D bioprinted skin research project

03-Jun-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble is following its rivals down the 3D skin printing road as it looks to fund a five year research project to develop a commercial process for making three-dimensional printed skin tissue. 

Jumei's concern over China's reduced tariff on imported cosmetics

03-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Following China's decision to reduce the tariff on imported cosmetics by nearly 50 per cent, beauty retailer Jumei is worried the cut will affect its' pricing advantage.

China's tourists boost AmorePacific's Q1 performance record

03-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

AmorePacific has posted its strongest first quarter performance to date, a boost the company attributes to Chinese tourists favouring its skin care at duty free shops.

Muji - Japan’s 'IKEA' expands beauty range in Australia

02-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Japan's version of Swedish furniture maker 'Ikea' that also offers an affordable cosmetics range, is expanding into Australia after huge success in its home country.

L'Oreal also slashes prices as China reduces import tariff

02-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Following China's decision to reduce the tariff on imported cosmetics, L'Oreal has announced its' plans to reduce the price of imported ranges.

A look at Clariant's commitment to China..

02-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Specialty chemicals player Clariant is working on catering to China's mega trends for the packaging sector among others, with 'new additives, pigments and master batches'. 

As organic cosmetics take off in Asia, experts report 'greenwashing' issues

29-May-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Although various green brands have boycotted China, Organic Monitor reports that the market remains the most prominent in Asia, which also brings its own challenges.

Amway focuses on India's skin whitening demand

29-May-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Amway is targeting India's whitening market, a segment it says holds great opportunity - dominating 60 per cent of the skin care category.

Lumson moves airless packaging into Australia

29-May-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Cosmetics packaging specialist Lumson is taking its 'world-first' Airless Bottle Technology to Australia and New Zealand through Sydney cosmetics manufacturer Trulux.

Asia’s multi-ethnic population inspires innovation at P&G

28-May-2015 By Deanna Utroske

The company deliberately employs a staff with an array of backgrounds—Chinese, Malay, Indian Japanese and more—at the Biopolis research and development center in Singapore.

Kao further invests in Shanghai market

28-May-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Kao has invested in its' third facility in China with a ¥5bn plant in Shanghai which will focus on producing key ingredients for shampoo and other cosmetics.

Korea is China's second largest exporter of cosmetics

28-May-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Korea has become the second largest exporter of cosmetics to China behind France, with 34 per cent market share.

Market Insight

ASEAN is ideal for catering to organic and natural demand, says expert

27-May-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Whether working out, meditating or making healthy purchasing decisions, consumers today are taking better care of their health. This shift in behaviour has impacted the cosmetics industry, particularly with organic or natural demand.