Skin care

in-cosmetics Korea goes live!

08-Apr-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Visitor registration for the first ever in-cosmetics Korea - currently the only exhibition in the country solely dedicated to personal care ingredients, is now live.

Datamonitor Comment

Can South Korea's Missha make a comeback with new markets?

07-Apr-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Although its' touted as South Korea’s 'first successful budget cosmetics brand', Missha has had a tough time maintaining its status of late, what with having to close its' Hong Kong and Macau outlets and analysts concluding that it...

TCM + packaging design stands out with subtlety

07-Apr-2015 By Deanna Utroske

The design studio Nendo created imagery and packages for the new skincare line that elegantly suggest the TCM + brand identity.

Japan's 'cherry blossom' season reels in Chinese shoppers

07-Apr-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As shopping trips to Japan continue to boom, Chinese people who received visas in March are expected to travel to shop and experience the 'cherry blossom season' in April.

Foreo claims 'world first' with 3D 'make-up artist' technology

02-Apr-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Skin care company, Foreo claims to have developed ‘the world’s first digital make-up artist’ by combining 3D printing technology and advanced real-time facial mapping software. 

Are suppliers deceiving the industry? - Asia's creams still found to contain shark oil

01-Apr-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

A recent study carried out by NGO, Bloom Association has found more than half of the skin creams (8 of 15) they had tested featuring the words 'squalane', to still contain shark oil. 

China Beauty Expo readies for its 20th anniversary edition

01-Apr-2015 By Simon Pitman

One of the biggest beauty events in the world will open its doors in Shanghai next month. And stressing its size, this year the China Beauty Expo will be showcasing more than 3,000 brands.

Innovation in ‘for soldier’ cosmetics on the rise

01-Apr-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Scientists around the globe have been working on camouflage make-up for troops with 'James Bond'-esque properties - like protecting the skin from the heat of explosions.

Shiseido's new R&D hub represents 'Vision 2020' plan

31-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

After curbing its R&D spending in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, Shiseido is now investing in R&D again with hopes to boost group sales above the 1 trillion yen mark by 2020.

HK businesses losing out as tensions continue over 'parallel traders'

31-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As some Hong Kong protesters continue to harass tourists, retailers are baring the brunt, as shoppers from the mainland and even local residents are put off by the confrontation at malls.

China's 'House call' beauty services are making serious profit...

31-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Beauty service companies offering a portfolio of manicurists or beauticians that visit customers at their own home are gaining momentum in China as women are reported to be more comfortable with letting a 'stranger' into their home. 

Indonesia invests in women: ANGIN fund helps start-ups

31-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The Angel Investment Network Indonesia is investing in the early stages of women-led start-ups, backing entrepreneurs across various industries including cosmetics.

How to get your green marketing strategy bang on

30-Mar-2015 By Simon Pitman

We spoke to Raphael Bemporad co-founder of BBMG, a consultancy specialized in green brand strategies, who lifts the lid on the importance of tapping into 'aspirational' consumers as a means of getting the right message out effectively.

Special newsletter - Men's grooming

How to keep male grooming products on the right side of the law

25-Mar-2015 By Simon Pitman

We talk to an expert about regulation in the male grooming category, throwing light on some of the specific challenges that anti-aging, hair loss and shaving products present in the U.S. and Europe.

Nu Skin gets the go ahead for China's Zhejiang Province

25-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

International skin care player, Nu Skin has been given the go ahead to begin direct selling in China's Zhejiang Province, bringing its' global presence to a total of 30 cities in 19 provinces and municipalities.

L'Oréal reveals plans to look beyond ASEAN markets

24-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Cosmetics maker L'Oréal has announced it will be exploring markets outside of ASEAN with the ranges it produces in Indonesia.

PCHi insight: Part One

Mibelle: "Consumers now believe 'Made In China' can represent high quality"

24-Mar-2015 By Simon Pitman

Here, Cosmetics Design catches up with Dr. Fred Zulli, managing director of Mibelle Biochemistry, to find out how the Switzerland-based biotechnology ingredients provider is planning on increasing its footprint in the vast market. 

CFDA to tighten supervision around cosmetics

24-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

China's FDA has announced its' plans to tighten the regulation around cosmetics in the country.

Jumei sees slump in orders despite Q4 tipped to be the strongest..

24-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The fourth quarter is reported to be the strongest for China’s online retailers, thanks to shopping holidays like Singles' Day. However, Jumei seen a decrease in total orders in 2014 by 5.9% to 9.6 million. 

Scientists say fish embryo test can screen more than 1,000 toxins at one time

19-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Hong Kong based biotech company, Vitargent has developed a technology that uses fish embryos to test for toxic substances in everything from cosmetics to food. 

Increasing women in the workforce to turn Japan's economy around

19-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Despite repeated attempts to revitalize the economy, Japan remains mired in weak growth. However, analysts now say increasing the number of women in the workforce will turn things around. 

Post PCHi: we talk technology and e-commerce with show organisers

18-Mar-2015 By Simon Pitman

The PCHi 2015 event has continued the strong growth pattern with organiser Reed Sinopharm claiming visitor numbers were up 12% in the first two days as e-commerce and the role of technology prove to be key show themes.

LG Household & Healthcare reveals plans for growth in China

18-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Korean consumer goods giant LG Household and Health Care has revealed China to be its' main focus this year with new products. 

Special edition: Beauty from within

Beauty From Within turns ugly for L’Oréal and Nestlé

17-Mar-2015 By Shane STARLING

It promised so much – the globe’s biggest cosmetic and food players L’Oréal and Nestlé applying serious marketing, research and NPD clout to drive a nascent category into the mainstream public consciousness. It was going to make beauty from within (BFW)...

South Korea's Memebox focused on taking success global

17-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Memebox, is looking beyond South Korea's market, which accounts for 80% of its sales, to strengthen its' efforts in China and the US.

New cosmetics Bill in South Korea has regulatory 'loopholes', says HSI

17-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

While a cosmetics Bill requiring the mandatory use of alternatives in South Korea has been introduced, the Humane Society International says there are still regulatory loopholes that must be closed.

Korean brands scaling down in Japan due to weak Yen

12-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

While more and more Japanese cosmetics brands see value in Korea’s markets, Korean companies are scaling down their business in Japan, due to the weak yen.

L’Oréal still investing in women: first Vietnamese scientist awarded fellowship

12-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Dr. Tran Ha Lien Phuong is the first Vietnamese scientist to be acknowledged by L'Oréal, as part of a programme that supports young female researchers around the globe.

University of Karachi sets up dedicated Halal product testing lab

11-Mar-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The University of Karachi’s (UoK) International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), has turned its attention to dedicated testing of Halal cosmetics and other Halal products by setting up a special laboratory at its Industrial Analytical...

AmorePacific splits shares to boost trading in Seoul

10-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

AmorePacific, a personal care giant with a strong foothold in Asia due to a firm marketing strategy and focused products, has announced it is splitting its' stock, to further boost the value of the brand. 

Why keeping on top of Asia's face cleansing regimes will open doors...

10-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

When it comes to understanding consumer beauty preferences, the devil is in the detail, like knowing how many steps are in Asian consumers face cleansing routines for example.

Japan's tax free stores boosting cosmetics spending

05-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Japanese stores offering tourists tax free shopping have hit their government target five years early, as the number offering the service shot up by 60% in the last six months. 

Clearasil maker challenges India's call for 'animal origins' to be declared in cosmetics

05-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The Delhi High Court has been challenged on a notification that requires cosmetics packaging to indicate if it contains any ingredient of animal origin; - a green dot for 'vegetarian' and a red/brown one for 'non-vegetarian'.

AkzoNobel aims for better service and sustainability with new China plant

04-Mar-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Chemicals company AkzoNobel is targeting the China market and looking to better serve its personal care customers there with a new alkoxylation facility in Ningbo bringing the company’s total investment in the strategic multi-site to more than €400 million...

Japanese 3D printing of human tissue has cosmetic potential

04-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Cyfuse Biomedical, a Japanese 3D printing developer has raised ¥1.4 billion ($11.8 million) for its work with producing human tissue, which has the potential for cosmetics firms testing out new products.

Cosmetics Design's colour cosmetics forum kicks off today!

04-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

There's still time left to register for Cosmetics Design's multifunctional colour cosmetics forum, where our panel of experts will discuss the latest innovations and challenges of a segment where alphabet creams are just the tip of the iceberg...

Missha becomes Korea’s first brand shop to target Western Europe's markets

04-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Although the brand is present in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Missha is now concentrating its efforts on Western Europe, particularly Germany, where cosmetics account for the largest share of the European market.

China cosmetics market continues to post double-digit growth

03-Mar-2015 By Simon Pitman

Although the slowdown in the growth of the China economy has put the brakes on the cosmetics market, growth last year still registered in double-digit figures and is forecast to remain so until 2017.

Online cosmetics purchases accounts for 60% of Vietnam's $3bn revenue

03-Mar-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

In 2014, each consumer spent $145 on average, shopping online in Vietnam, with fashion and cosmetics accounting for 60 per cent of the country's $3b revenue.

Beauty Expo to highlight Asian Brand Building Lab

03-Mar-2015 By Simon Pitman

The China Beauty Expo will highlight innovation in new Asian brands with a dedicated floor area that will platform the latest launches thanks to a partnership with Centdegres.

Southeast Asia pushes for Union to encourage regional ties and investment

26-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations moves towards a unified 10-member state, measures are being put in place to reduce trade barriers, ease investment, and ensure the free flow of goods, services and skilled labour.

Japan's biggest beauty website launches Chinese-language service to conquer market

26-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Japan's largest beauty community website, @cosme has invested in a Chinese-language service on e-commerce platform Tmall, as it tries to conquer the Chinese market.

Rising cosmetics demand drives fatty acid esters market

25-Feb-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The global fatty acid esters market is set to continue its growth over the next five years thanks to demand from the cosmetics and personal care industry, with significant demand coming from Asia-Pacific.

Glossybox finally reports profit after ‘over-expansion' problems in Asia

25-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

According to beauty sampling brand Glossybox, after an expansion in Asia that nearly took the business under, the company has finally started to see a profit.

Gold dust masks - are they a patch on Asia's sophisticated face sheets?

25-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

There's always a new craze in skin care. Right now, 24 carat gold dust face treatments are all the rage in the West, but will this catch on in Asia - the land of advanced face mask technologies?

A look at LVMH and luxury buying in China

24-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Sales this Chinese New Year aren't looking too lucrative for the world's largest prestige group, LVMH, which has been working harder then ever to attract Chinese tourists as luxury spending slowed down in Hong Kong.

Clarins also sees benefit of WeChat in conquering China

24-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Unlike the West, consumers in Asia have jumped directly into mobile platforms (WeChat, Line, Kakao Talk) that international players like Clarins are using to access and analyse customers behaviour and needs.

Women now being advised to shave their faces for 'anti-ageing benefits'

24-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Women with dark facial hair have always sought out ways to remove it by way of laser, threading or waxing. Now, they are being advised to shave their faces as some beauty experts say it could have anti-ageing benefits.

Sony further invests in beauty with 'Skin View Camera’

19-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Sony's ‘Beauty Explorer’ is its’ first digital camera in image sensoring that measures the texture, blotches, pores and colour of the skin. 

Datamonitor Comment

Male tanning tipped as China's next booming market

19-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Globally speaking, the male market merely follows what’s popular in the female one. However, in China, analysts say skin whitening, which has undoubtedly been the prevailing trend for women, has been forced on Chinese men.