Cosmetics expert heralds industry recognition as lifetime achievement award returns

24-Sep-2012 - Last updated on 25-Sep-2012 at 10:42 GMT

Dr Alain Khaiat receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010

The 2013 in-cosmetics show in Paris will see the return of its Lifetime Achievement Award, as the previous and only winner-to-date tells Cosmetics Design of the importance of global recognition.

The award was established to recognise and honour outstanding individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on the industry, while at the same time earning the respect and admiration of professional colleagues.

The 2010 winner (the only one so far) Dr Alain Khaiat explains the award is the recognition of all the work done, with the sole objective of protecting and serving the consumers.

Importance of recognition

“Being the first one is something that will always remain! The competition was tough and all the finalists deserved to win. For me, being a finalist was already a big achievement, winning the Award was unexpected and overwhelming,” he tells CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com.

“I think it is very important to continue to recognise people in this manner i.e. with global nominations and final votes. This gives the award its value.”

According to the president of CTFAS, V.P. Scientific Affairs ASEAN Cosmetic Association, and advisor on Cosmetic Safety to the Singapore Health Authorities, there are two aspects in a career that deserve recognition: ethical behaviour and teaching and training.

“In a world where money, success and power are the buzz words, I want to promote (and recognise) ethics. Doing the right things rather than doing things right,” he says.

“We [also] have a responsibility to train, to lead and to promote those who will become the young leaders of tomorrow.”

Training and education

Khaiat states these two things are more important now, than ever, as the creation of ‘mega companies’, makes it tougher to learn, to get trained and to create strong leaders.

“People are facing budget cuts, pressure to launch products before they are finished. They work in silos and cross-enterprise communication is close to zero. While communication between companies is something that has been completely lost.”

This is the second time in the show’s history that it has run the Lifetime Achievement Award; returning to the venue of the inaugural award presentation.

The winner will be announced at the in-cosmetics 2013 show at Porte de Versailles in central Paris on 16 April.