Regulation & safety

Proving skin care product efficacy in the future

Proving skin care product efficacy in the future

By Kirsty Doolan

As more beauty shoppers demand proof of product efficacy, we spoke to the CEO of beauty tech company Cydolia about its work with Lancôme and how it’s aiming to make skin care “more personalised, predictive, and scientifically driven than ever before.”

The data showed that in 2015 almost two thirds (63%) of beauty and personal care launches were genuinely new products

Global beauty innovation has hit a 10-year low, says Mintel

By Kirsty Doolan

Data from the market intelligence company Mintel’s Global New Product’s Database (GNPD) showed that between January and May 2024, less than half (46%) of global beauty and personal care CPG launches were genuinely new products.

BASF site in Ludwigshafen in Germany

Explosion and fire at BASF plant in Germany

By Jane Byrne

A leak of an organic solvent led to an explosion and subsequent fire yesterday in the southern part of the BASF site in Ludwigshafen in Germany, reported the company.

Biotechnology is increasingly used to create ingredients for cosmetics formulations in response to sustainability issues (Image: Getty)

5 biotech cosmetics ingredients companies to watch…

By Kirsty Doolan

As biotechnology becomes more prominent in sourcing ingredients for cosmetics formulations, we reveal some of the pioneering businesses that are disrupting the cosmetics ingredients sector…

The new in vitro Double Plate Testing Method is likely to become an industry standard in 2025 (Image: Getty)

How sunscreen testing is about to be transformed…

By Kirsty Doolan

The methods used to test SPF in suncare products have long faced multiple criticisms, and for the past three decades experts have been working on an alternative. This is now in the final stages of ISO approval and is set to overhaul the way we test sun...

As packaging designers move towards using more easily recyclable materials, pack designs are taking a less-is-more approach to aesthetic design, focusing on clean, simple labelling and muted colours.  (Image: Getty)

Cosmetics packaging trends to watch

By Kirsty Doolan

Ahead of the upcoming London Packaging Week, we discover what’s happening now and what’s coming next in beauty and personal care packaging...

Debut BiotechXBeautyLabs © MF3d Getty Images

BiotechXBeautyLabs: A new approach to beauty innovation

By Cassandra Stern

Following the recent news of biotechnology company Debut's sustainable ingredient development partnership with L’Oréal, Debut has announced the launch of its formulation development and contract manufacturing business BiotechXBeautyLabs in an effort...

( Image: Getty)

What's coming next for femtech?

By Sarah Cohen

The market for female-focused, tech-driven health products, AKA ‘femtech’, is predicted to grow beyond its current focus on reproductive health, according to industry analysts. We explore what’s around the corner for this burgeoning sector of personal...

(Image: Getty)

6 beauty brands marketing responsibly to Gen Alpha

By Keysha Davis

Gen Alpha, AKA the ‘Sephora Kids’, has taken a keen interest in beauty, which has sparked much debate throughout 2024. We look at some of the brands that have since made it their mission to responsibly market their products to younger customers.

Historically, it was believed that melanin-rich skin did not require sun protection due to the natural protection it offers against the sun's rays (Image: Getty)

5 sun care trends for darker skin tones

By Keysha Davis

Sun protection is increasingly becoming an integral part of the skincare routines of those with melanin-rich skin. What’s happening in this innovative sector?

What does the Labour party win mean for the UK beauty industry?

What does the Labour party win mean for the UK beauty industry?

By Kirsty Doolan

In the UK, left-wing political party Labour has just gained power with a landslide majority in the general election. As politics continues to shift across the Europe region, what could this mean for the future of the beauty industry in Britain…

The findings could provide more insight into how to prevent and treat frontal fibrosing alopecia (Image: Getty/ Seb_ra)

Study links oral contraceptive use to female hair loss

By Kirsty Doolan

Recent research funded by the British Skin Foundation found that some women are genetically predisposed to develop the hair loss condition frontal fibrosing alopecia when they take oral contraceptives.

The EC's antitrust investigation into the fragrance industry is still ongoing (Image: Getty)

IFF fined €15.9m by the EC for “obstructing” antitrust raid

By Kirsty Doolan

The European Commission (EC) has issued a €15.9m fine to the ingredients company IFF for “obstructing” an inspection from regulators in 2023. The penalty had been lowered from the initial amount due to the company’s full cooperation on the matter.

La Roche-Posay noted that younger consumers appeared to be more misinformed than older ones (Image: Getty)

22% of UK consumers think sunscreen is “harmful” to their skin

By Kirsty Doolan

New research from La Roche-Posay shows many UK consumers are highly misinformed on how to protect their skin from the sun. This presents sun care brands with a huge opportunity to educate and assist in the prevention of sun-related skin damage and skin...

The report stated that no one needs forever packaging for a 'temporary' beauty or personal care product (Image: Getty)

How plastic-free beauty could ‘futureproof’ your bottom line

By Kirsty Doolan

With so many new environmental legislations in place in Europe and beyond, a new report boldly states that cosmetics companies need to transition away from using plastic in both formulations and packaging, or they will face long-term financial losses....

While consumers may have been cutting back on other areas, Euromonitor's data shows that they have still been spending on beauty (Image: Getty/Lorado)

A focus on the global cosmetics industry landscape: part I

By Kirsty Doolan

What’s happening in the beauty and personal care industry at a global level? Is the industry thriving? And what kinds of products are consumers currently favouring and why? A beauty expert from Euromonitor shares exclusive insights in part I of this big...

The ingredient is now so in demand that the business has had to quickly ramp up production while also scaling the process to reach commercial volumes

Start the week with a startup: Cellugy

By Kirsty Doolan

Every fortnight we talk to a beauty and personal care industry startup about why it exists and how it plans to change the industry.

INC-4 Takeaways © samael334 Getty Images

Results from UN INC-4 negotiations on a global plastics treaty

By Cassandra Stern

The fourth session of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee advanced the draft text for a global treaty on plastic pollution, emphasizing sustainable packaging and waste management, critical for cosmetics and personal care manufacturers.

The viral brand is launching several initiatives to kickstart Skin Barrier Awareness Month, starting by opening a clinical testing lab at its Glasgow HQ

Byoma: targeting the Gen A consumers “breaking” their skin barriers

By Kirsty Doolan


According to the viral-on-TikTok skin care brand Byoma, the Generation Alpha skin care boom – AKA the ‘Sephora Kids’ – has become an “epidemic” due to “lack of education resulting in mis-purchasing products”. Here's how the brand plans to...