Top 5 most-read stories November 2021: CMR chemicals update, Unilever antiperspirant patents and sustainable beauty strategies

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A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from November 2021 shows interest in EC regulatory updates on CMR chemicals, Unilever’s duo of patents on metal-free antiperspirants and insights on sustainability and consumer trends.

A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from November 2021 shows interest in EC regulatory updates on CMR chemicals, Unilever’s duo of patents on metal-free antiperspirants and insights on sustainability and consumer trends.

Ingredients upheaval

The European Commission added 23 carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) chemicals to its prohibited list under Article 15 of the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, including zinc pyrithione. The ban was set to come into force on March 1, 2022, for all cosmetic products on the EU market – imported and EU-made.

Trade association Cosmetics Europe said it supported the annual CMS Omnibus process.

Personal care major Unilever also filed two international patents outlining metal-free antiperspirant formulations, made without traditional aluminium actives. The company said the formulas, which used a blend of film forming polymers, solvents and plasticizers, offered similar or better efficacy.

Sustainable beauty strategies

Attendees at October’s digital SEPAWA 2021 event heard from Tina Choi-Odenwald, research director and head of beauty and home at German market research firm GIM about what it took to ensure sustainable product offerings were successful.

Odenwald said whilst great strides had been made in ingredients and packaging for beauty products that were better for the planet and people, success relied on a positive consumer perception around these offerings – something brands and manufacturers had to think about carefully during design and marketing efforts.

At SCS Formulate 2021 in Coventry, UK, in November, Natura &Co’s The Body Shop shared its plans on building out and investing in regenerative supply chain innovation. The beauty major said it would invest in biotechnology and carbon capture, amongst many other things.

Consumer trends – a perception of beauty

Market research firm Euromonitor International released data from a July-August consumer survey revealing consumers now considered a healthy appearance and inner confidence the most important aspects of beauty. And this, the company said, offered plenty of opportunity for functional, efficacious and authentic innovations moving forward.

Click through to see more.

Top 5 most-read stories November 2021: CMR chemicals update, Unilever antiperspirant patents and sustainable beauty strategies
Top 5 most-read stories November 2021: CMR chemicals update, Unilever antiperspirant patents and sustainable beauty strategies

A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from November 2021 shows interest in EC regulatory updates on CMR chemicals, Unilever’s duo of patents on metal-free antiperspirants and insights on sustainability and consumer trends.

Ingredients upheaval

The European Commission added 23 carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) chemicals to its prohibited list under Article 15 of the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, including zinc pyrithione. The ban was set to come into force on March 1, 2022, for all cosmetic products on the EU market – imported and EU-made.

Trade association Cosmetics Europe said it supported the annual CMS Omnibus process.

Personal care major Unilever also filed two international patents outlining metal-free antiperspirant formulations, made without traditional aluminium actives. The company said the formulas, which used a blend of film forming polymers, solvents and plasticizers, offered similar or better efficacy.

Sustainable beauty strategies

Attendees at October’s digital SEPAWA 2021 event heard from Tina Choi-Odenwald, research director and head of beauty and home at German market research firm GIM about what it took to ensure sustainable product offerings were successful.

Odenwald said whilst great strides had been made in ingredients and packaging for beauty products that were better for the planet and people, success relied on a positive consumer perception around these offerings – something brands and manufacturers had to think about carefully during design and marketing efforts.

At SCS Formulate 2021 in Coventry, UK, in November, Natura &Co’s The Body Shop shared its plans on building out and investing in regenerative supply chain innovation. The beauty major said it would invest in biotechnology and carbon capture, amongst many other things.

Consumer trends – a perception of beauty

Market research firm Euromonitor International released data from a July-August consumer survey revealing consumers now considered a healthy appearance and inner confidence the most important aspects of beauty. And this, the company said, offered plenty of opportunity for functional, efficacious and authentic innovations moving forward.

Click through to see more.

 1. EC banning 20+ more hazardous chemicals in cosmetics
1. EC banning 20+ more hazardous chemicals in cosmetics (Travel_Motion/Getty Images)

The European Commission (EC) extended its list of prohibited carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) chemicals in cosmetics as part of its fourth update to the regulation prohibiting and/or restricting these substances.

2. Stop sweat: Unilever files patent duo on metal-free antiperspirant formulas
2. Stop sweat: Unilever files patent duo on metal-free antiperspirant formulas (diego_cervo/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Personal care major Unilever filed two separate international patents detailing antiperspirant formulas made without traditional metal-based actives like aluminium.

3. Mindful moves: Sustainable beauty success relies heavily on consumer perception, says expert
3. Mindful moves: Sustainable beauty success relies heavily on consumer perception, says expert (Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images)

Beauty products designed to be better for the people and planet would only be successful if there was a positive consumer perception linked to them, according to German market research firm GIM.

4. Going greener: The Body Shop investing in ‘regenerative’ supply chain innovation
4. Going greener: The Body Shop investing in ‘regenerative’ supply chain innovation (AegeanBlue/Getty Images)

Natura &Co’s The Body Shop said it would invest in biotechnology to develop circular ingredients and look at new ways of using waste and improving regenerative agriculture over the next decade.

5. Physical appearance ‘no longer the defining factor of beauty’ – Euromonitor International
5. Physical appearance ‘no longer the defining factor of beauty’ – Euromonitor International (AlexSava/Getty Images)

Market research major released findings of its June-August consumer survey that showed consumers now believed a healthy appearance, hygiene and feeling comfortable in yourself was what defined beauty.