Skin care

Scientists develop liquid-infused polymer for bacteria free cosmetics

18-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Harvard researchers have developed a technology that creates a polymer infused with silicone oil that can be used in a variety of applications including cosmetics to keep bacteria away.

Thailand tipped to be 'huge' in organic cosmetics

18-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Thailand has been flagged as having huge potential in ASEAN's organic cosmetic market, which is expected to contribute to the overall cosmetic market with a growth of nearly 9.5% by 2020.

Taiwan to revise cosmetics statute following major inspection

18-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Following 'relatively high rates of reports of violation' with consumer products, Taiwan's FDA has carried out a major inspection of the labeling and content quality of some widely-used cosmetics.

E-commerce brings French cosmetics and perfume to Chinese consumers

17-Feb-2015 By Deanna Utroske

JD.com launched the French Mall platform this month where consumers in China can purchase imported French goods, a class of products already lucrative for the a online direct sales company.

Chinese New Year spending - Chanel a favourite with shoppers

17-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As the holiday approaches fast (Feb 19), various luxury brands are investing in increasing their visibility to fight off the competition. Something, perhaps Chanel isn't too worried about, due to its' popularity with Chinese consumers.

Korean authorities crack down on counterfeit facial masks

12-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) has seized more than 100,000 counterfeit products of the well-known face mask brand; ‘Leaders Insolution’ from a Chinese-owned factory, close to the border of North Korea. 

Asia in Focus

WeChat is re-inventing China's direct sales model, says expert

12-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

China is already the second largest online retail market in the world, and the fastest growing. There, the details lie in creating more active events, promotions and digital marketing strategies, especially through social media platforms like WeChat.

Sun protection forum to focus more on Asia this year

11-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The Sun Protection & Anti-ageing Skin Care Conference now in its second year, returns this July with more Asia-specific content around developments in skin care testing and claims substantiations.

"Made in Korea” cosmetics viewed as sophisticated and of high quality

11-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As domestic markets inch closer to saturation, numerous Korean brands have really started to recognize their own R&D and manufacturing capabilities, which is transforming how “Made in Korea” products are viewed.  

Asia’s skin whitening market is often misunderstood

10-Feb-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The skin whitening market in Asia is a booming one but it is also one that can be misunderstood, particularly in the West or where cultural, social, and physiological behaviour is different.

Japan's tourism trade to reach 3.8 trillion yen by 2020

05-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Spending in Japan by international visitors increased in 2014, with tourists reportedly spending 2.03 trillion yen on souvenirs ranging from premium goods to cosmetics.

'Glabra' - the 'go to' ingredient for face masks?

05-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

As brands scramble to cater to Asia’s demand for a higher level of user experience in skin care, various brands have been investing in 'Glabra' – also known as golden collagen for face masks.

Korea plows ahead with some 'serious brainpower' in cosmeceuticals

04-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Korea’s commitment to beauty is placing it a cut above the rest in Asia, seeing it lead the way with some serious brainpower and cool technology in the cosmeceuticals area.

Unilever invests €40 million in catering to China's western markets

03-Feb-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Phase I of Unilever’s facility in the company’s global manufacturing base in Meishan has been completed, which will mainly cater to China's western markets.

Venture Life moves into China's skin care market with 30 year deal

29-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Healthcare brand, 'Venture Life' has signed a 30-year distribution deal with Shanghai based REC Cosmetics; the owner of 1,000 skin care retail chains across mainland China.

Study raises ethical concerns of skin whitening ads

28-Jan-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Skin whitening is quite the trend in Asia-Pacific but expert Professor Lynne Eagle has questioned the ethics of marketing such products.

As the seasons change, so do Korean men’s skin barriers

28-Jan-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

When the seasons change so can our mood or outlook, or even… South Korean men’s skin. A new study by the Inha University College of Medicine claims the factors that can maintain homogeneity of the skin barriers may noticeably change by seasons in the...

Japan proves to be fastest growing market for L’Occitane

27-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Global French beauty giant, L’Occitane reports Japan to be its' biggest Asian market with total net sales up 15.2% to 133.9 million euro.

Award-winning oils and fats innovation makes skin care ‘more effective’

22-Jan-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

University lecturer Dr Mahiran Basri has been recognised for her work in successfully diversifying the use of oils and fats which resulted in an innovation formulated through nanotechnology that is beneficial to cosmetics, and in particular skin care.

Part II

'Brands MUST stay out of China in order to speed up change,' says HSI

22-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Yesterday, Cosmetics Design spoke to Alain Khaiat about cosmetic brands opting out of China over animal testing. On his advice that the bigger players ‘cannot afford not to be present’, the HSI disagrees, claiming that on the contrary, brands can and...

Henkel beauty business moves into newly opened Shanghai center

22-Jan-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Henkel’s beauty care business based in Asia will move into its new home at the company’s new Management Center which opened in Shanghai this week.

Scientists discover bacterial pigment potential to improve SPF

22-Jan-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Two pigments have potential as ingredients in sunscreens as they have been shown to improve sun protection factor and also display antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Can cosmetic brands afford to opt out of China over animal testing?

21-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

While the ruling to end mandatory animal testing for most cosmetics in China came as good news on June 30 - the law only refers to domestic firms, meaning international ‘cruelty free’ brands were faced with having to go against company policy or miss...

South Korea's cosmetic exports are on the up!

20-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

According to South Korea’s customs office, cosmetic exports made it out of the red in 2014, giving the country its first annual surplus in the sector.

Thailand viewed as the gateway to ASEAN's markets

20-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Japan’s small and medium-sized enterprises see Thailand as the hub of ASEAN’s markets and are currently investing in partnerships as a result.

ASEAN cosmetics committee updates safety bill

20-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations' Cosmetics Committee has agreed to new regulations on cosmetics in a bill that will improve consumer safety and crack down on misleading advertising.

CFDA looks into consumers view of China's cosmetics industry

15-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The China FDA has been working on legislating a set of regulations to monitor cosmetics following a survey where Chinese consumers revealed quality and safety are top priority.

Benefit claims to be 'first' in Australia with post advertising campaign

15-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Benefit Cosmetics claims to be the first beauty brand in Australia to introduce advertising on Instagram, with the rollout of the first trial campaign.

Are beauty from within beverages useless?

14-Jan-2015 By Simon Pitman

A new study reports little or no benefits from the nutrient addition in functional beverages, many of which are marketed with beauty from within claims.

Datamonitor Comment

DNA testing kits open up new cosmetic markets in Japan

14-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

In 2014, skin care companies turned to the 'DNA approach' in providing tailored supplements in Japan.    

Thai cosmetics exports look set for strong growth in 2015

13-Jan-2015 By Simon Pitman

The Thai Commerce Ministry is looking forward to a significant rise in exports during the course of 2015, and lists the cosmetics industry as one of the sectors most likely to benefit from growth.

Shiseido opts for 'Clé de Peau Beauté' brand to strengthen Asia presence

13-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Shiseido has announced that it will be turning to its' 'second pillar' brand 'Clé de Peau Beauté', to strengthen its Asia presence in 2015.

Snail cream demand booms, with products 'selling every 6 seconds'

09-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Snail cream is popular as ever in China and Japan. As demand booms some brands are seeing two fold for their investment in the slime...

Rice - the latest 'go to' ingredient in Japanese cosmetics

09-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Oryza sativa, the annual herbaceous plant that produces rice has been gaining momentum as an emollient for its sebum restitutive properties.

DSM Personal Care signs distribution agreement with Mascot in South Asia

07-Jan-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

DSM Personal Care is upping its presence in South Asia having announced that Mascot Universal Pvt. Ltd will be its sole distributor in in the region.

China's 'Hai tao' shoppers boosting cosmetic sales

07-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

'Hai tao' shopping, otherwise known as online buying from overseas, is fast growing in China as consumers are eager to buy products that are either unavailable or over-priced in their own country.

Israeli biotechnology firm, Kamedis seeks Chinese dermo-cosmetic players

07-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

The Israeli biotechnology company set up by three traditional Chinese medicine practitioners is now set to target China's skin care market.

Missha halts business in Hong Kong

06-Jan-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Beauty brand Missha has 'suspended business' at all of its outlets in Hong Kong. The drastic move comes as a surprise, as Korean cosmetics are in high demand of late.

Asia in Focus

From a rise in demand for customization to the power of Korean TV - what a year it's been for Asia!

23-Dec-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

As we bid farewell to 2014, Cosmetics Design takes stock of the beauty innovations and trends to come out of Asia's fast moving markets. Here, we round up some of the best insight our regional expert Florence Bernardin gave throughout the year.

'Tis the season of opportunity for beauty brands with Advent calenders!

23-Dec-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

This Holiday season we noted the return of the beauty Advent calendar. The version for grown-ups has created new opportunities for cosmetic brands of late, particularly in 2014 with the rise of the festive ‘self-gifting’ trend.

'Twas the year for skin care, but not for sun care

23-Dec-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

As the Holiday season is upon us and we wave goodbye to another year (where did the time go?!) it is time to reflect on what happened in the industry and pick out the success stories and the underperformers.

Korean cosmetic brands see opportunity in Islamic markets

18-Dec-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

Various Korean cosmetics companies have been eyeing up the Islamic markets of late, however getting halal certification before they can target the 1.6 billion Muslim population has proved tricky for some.

China to introduce 'supervising regulation' for online cosmetic sellers

17-Dec-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

The China Food and Drug Administration has published a draft regulation for public consultation that will tighten the control of online sales of cosmetics.

Nestlé Skin Health to open 10 innovation hubs focused on skin research

11-Dec-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Nestlé Skin Health will open a global network of 10 innovation hubs focused on developing solutions and techniques that will promote healthy skin through medical investigation, education and application of skin health technologies.

China cosmetics rank high in chemical risk list

10-Dec-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

China has 'once again' been named the front-runner of a "hit list" of dangerous products, according to the German Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (Baua).

L'Occitane joins Alibaba's big cosmetic brand offering

09-Dec-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

French skin care brand, L’Occitane en Provence has confirmed a deal with China's largest ecommerce retailer Alibaba, launching a digital retail platform on the popular Tmall site. 

Nanotech tracker to change how the industry tackles counterfeit goods

04-Dec-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

Sydney-based YPB Group has bought tracer patents developed by China's Dalian Maritime University to pair with its own scanners to determine counterfeit goods.

Clarins targets the younger Thai consumer

03-Dec-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

As sales in Thailand ranked second in ASEAN behind Singapore for Clarins, the brand is now concentrating its efforts on attracting younger consumers.

China 'Singles Day' spending gives Black Friday a run for its money!

02-Dec-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

Traditionally a US shopping tradition, Black Friday has become increasingly popular in Europe too. However, China’s 'Singles’ Day' celebrating the young and cash-flush is giving the holiday a run for its money.

IBR gains Australian patent for anti-ageing Snowflake ingredient

27-Nov-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Natural active ingredient supplier IBR has been given a boost in its quest to penetrate the Eastern markets after it was granted a patent for its IBR-Snowflake product in Australia, to go with the one it has already picked up in China.