Skin care

Special Edition: Natural Ingredients & Claims

Euromonitor: Natural beauty claims ‘might not be quite enough’ in 2020

02-Sep-2020 By Kacey Culliney

‘Natural’ will continue to be a popular product claim across beauty and personal care this year, but as consumer education deepens and concerns broaden, industry will have to be smarter about what attributes it spotlights, says a beauty expert.

DSM launches bio-sourced 1.3 propanediol with ‘microbiome-friendly’ certification

01-Sep-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Royal DSM is commercialising a bio-sourced 1.3 propanediol (PDO) that it developed with French biochemical specialist Metex and has obtained a microbiome-friendly certification for the ingredient.

FEBEA contests ‘harmful cosmetics’ list published by French National Consumer Institute mag

01-Sep-2020 By Kacey Culliney

The French Federation for Beauty Companies (FEBEA) has denounced the methodology used by consumer magazine 60 million de consommateurs to compile its list of ‘harmful cosmetics’.

Decoding behaviour: How beauty companies are deploying AI marketing tools to gain consumer insight

01-Sep-2020 By Amanda Lim

Beauty companies such as Estée Lauder, John Masters Organics and Neogence are increasingly using AI-powered marketing tools to identify patterns within consumer behaviour and then tailor their engagement with them.

Diverse skin is healthy skin: Shiseido study finds that sensitive skin lacks biodiversity in skin microbiome

01-Sep-2020 By Amanda Lim

A new research study by Japanese cosmetics powerhouse Shiseido has determined that sensitive skin has less diverse biodiversity compared to less sensitive skin.

Smart skin care: CBD start-up Moia Elixirs launches patented nanofiber face mask

27-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Czech Republic start-up Moia Elixirs has developed a cannabidiol-infused nanofiber face mask that activates on contact with water and boasts 97% absorption – technology it says will significantly advance possibilities in skin care.

Hygiene goes First Class: Michelle Hope Skincare launches the Essential Care Collection and BluBag

26-Aug-2020 By Deanna Utroske

The travel and hospitality industries have been drastically impacted by stay-at-home and social distancing guidelines. To help airlines, cruise lines, hotels, and other travel service providers return to business, the amenities and spa brand Michelle...

UK beauty to decline 10% in 2020: ‘Cosmetics has taken a backseat’

26-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

The UK cosmetics and toiletries sector will see a €1.8bn (£1.7bn) value decline in 2020, after a tough year largely defined by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. But growth will return in 2021 with the right investments, says GlobalData.

Land of plenty : Nivea, Eucerin set for boost as Beiersdorf eyes strong potential in China’s skin care market

26-Aug-2020 By Amanda Lim

German personal care major Beiersdorf is working to strengthen its skin care portfolio and tap into the massive potential it sees in China’s competitive personal care market.

UK proposes law to cut deforestation from big companies’ supply chains

25-Aug-2020 By Flora Southey

The UK is considering new legislation that would see larger businesses fined for using forest-risk commodities – such as palm oil, soy, and beef – that have not been produced according to relevant local laws.

Tea-rrific discovery: Amorepacific researchers prove anti-inflammatory effects of green tea probiotic-derived exosomes

25-Aug-2020 By Amanda Lim

K-beauty conglomerate Amorepacific has discovered the anti-inflammatory effects of exosomes derived from a green tea probiotic obtained from its organic tea plantation on Jeju Island.

Special Edition: Natural ingredients & claims

Global squalene market to reach €156m by 2025 with biosynthetic boom predicted

24-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

The global squalene market will surge in the next five years, driven by increasing demands for high-quality natural cosmetics and interest and innovation in biosynthetic alternatives, a report says.

Skin mycobiome versus microbiome: Why fungal diversity may hold key to sensitive skin solutions

24-Aug-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

While interest in the bacteria that make up the skin microbiome sky high, researchers is Korea have uncovered new findings on the skin mycobiome – its fungal diversity – that may help create new products to target sensitive skin.

‘A Christmas unlike any we’ve seen before’ – 2020 to see significant online rush

21-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Beauty brands and retailers must build a strong online presence and smart digital engagement strategies to capture the rush of consumers favouring e-commerce this Christmas, says user-generated content and e-commerce specialist Bazaarvoice.

Indie Pioneers podcast episode 10

PODCAST – Holistic view on skin: Sequential Skin on why microbiome testing is crucial to personalised beauty

21-Aug-2020 By Amanda Lim

On this episode of Indie Pioneers, we sit down with Petronille Houdart from Sequential Skin to discuss the importance of microbiome testing when it comes to skin care personalisation.

Special Edition: Natural Ingredients & Claims

Novel herbs offer ‘elevated’ natural promise in cosmetics: Review

20-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Novel herbal ingredients can be incorporated into a range of natural skin and hair applications for both cosmetic and therapeutic benefits and will rise in importance in coming years, say researchers.

'Sheer size and scale': Alibaba and Amazon to dominate health and beauty e-commerce boom

20-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Digital retail moguls Alibaba and Amazon will grasp the lion’s share of a burgeoning online health and beauty category over the next five years, and brands must seriously consider shifting onto these platforms, says a retail expert.

Collagen has a ‘bold future’ in beauty as science soars

19-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Research on the beauty benefits of collagen continues to gain ground, with increasing cross-over interest between topical, ingestible and medical applications sparking fresh promise, says the science and technical director of the Collagen Stewardship...

‘Great news’ for industry: Christmas beauty spend to stick in 2020, finds survey

18-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

After a difficult start to the year with COVID-19, the beauty and personal care category is set to see sales soar as usual during the Christmas holiday season with consumers maintaining spend and shopping online, according to marketing firm Rakuten Advertising.

Safety and comfort: Derma and natural beauty trends are here to stay post-COVID-19

18-Aug-2020 By Amanda Lim

Consumers will increasingly seek out the safety of cosmeceuticals and the comfort of natural products in the long-term due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disruptions, says ingredients company BASF.

L’Oréal files patent on ‘superior stability’ waterless sunscreen using carnauba wax

13-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

International beauty major L’Oréal has developed an anhydrous sunscreen rich in antioxidants using liquid carnauba wax that protects the formula from oxidation and avoids sensory degradation.

P&G trials Olay refill pods: ‘Small steps can lead to monumental change’, says exec

13-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Personal care major Procter & Gamble is trialling refill pods for its skin care brand Olay via Amazon in the UK for a limited time.

Overlooked opportunities? Skin microbiome may play a more important role in personalisation than DNA

13-Aug-2020 By Amanda Lim

The founder of a skin care start-up believes that understanding the skin microbiome may play a more important role than genetics when it comes to personalising skin care.

In depth on sustainable beauty – The long read

The sustainable beauty rush: L’Oréal’s 10-year plan a real ‘step up’ - expert

12-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

L’Oréal is one big beauty brand setting out on a race to the top in sustainability, but the path ahead won’t be easy – particularly when targeting consumer-use impact, says an expert consultant.

Crowd support: Social commerce crucial for brands to overcome recessionary behaviours in pandemic economy

12-Aug-2020 By Amanda Lim

The adoption of social commerce is becoming more crucial for beauty brands as consumers are expected become more selective about their purchases amidst the economic fallout from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

‘Extremely turbulent year’: Beiersdorf H1 sales decline but derma brands stick strong

11-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

International skin care major Beiersdorf has reported a sales drop for the first half (H1) of 2020, with luxury brand La Prairie especially hard-hit by COVID-19 whilst its derma brands defied the crisis.

What’s In My Jar: The tech startup on a mission to dispel ‘clunky’ sunscreen labels built on ‘outdated regulations’

06-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Algorithm specialist What’s In My Jar has developed an online tool that recommends sunscreens based on skin type, lifestyle and budget – helping consumers navigate clunky, cryptic and often misleading labels built on outdated regulations, its CEO says.

Colgate-Palmolive reports Q2 sales rise – ‘our momentum continued’, says CEO

06-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Personal care giant Colgate-Palmolive has reported a continued sales rise for the second quarter of 2020, driven largely by a strong performance in North America and increased demand for liquid hand soaps.

Avon to launch skin care for women in menopause

06-Aug-2020 By Deanna Utroske

The multinational beauty maker has been previewing the Adapt Sync product line since 2019; and now Avon has published a study on what women worldwide know and how they think about menopause.

For the ‘modern urban man’: British men’s grooming brand Heath expands into Boots

05-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Indie men’s grooming brand Heath has secured a listing in UK retailer Boots as part of a wider national strategy to expand its range of skin care for the modern urban man.

L’Oréal CEO talks of ‘great business resilience’ amid global sales decline for H1 2020

04-Aug-2020 By Kacey Culliney

International beauty major L’Oréal has reported a sales drop across its entire business for the first half (H1) of 2020, but its CEO says the company has shown resilience in a challenging time, particularly through e-commerce.

‘Nature’s apothecary’: Adaptogen promise rises in beauty amid COVID-19, says expert

30-Jul-2020 By Kacey Culliney

There is a rising potential for stress-relieving adaptogens in beauty and personal care formulations as consumers seek out products that protect and heal – beyond traditional aesthetics, a beauty expert says.

Big brand talks: In conversation with Unilever, REN, Beiersdorf, Bulldog and Beauty Kitchen

Loop power: Big beauty brands see ‘great opportunity’ in reusables

29-Jul-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Unilever, REN, Beiersdorf, Bulldog Skincare and Beauty Kitchen are all dedicated to continued innovation around durable beauty with TerraCycle’s spin-off Loop, but each brand says there remain challenges ahead.

Rituals: 'By 2023 all our formulas will be at least of 90% natural origin'

29-Jul-2020 By Kacey Culliney

International bath and body brand Rituals has expanded its natural offering with a body care line – part of a wider push towards maximised use of naturals, its travel retail director says.

‘Purify and protect’: L’Oréal to launch co-branded hand care travel kit

28-Jul-2020 By Kacey Culliney

International beauty major L’Oréal will launch a hand care travel kit combining La Roche-Posay and Biotherm products to target post-COVID concerns around hygiene and protection whilst travelling.

Bricks still matter: L’Occitane says physical store network remains ‘vital’ despite sluggish sales

28-Jul-2020 By Amanda Lim

L’Occitane Group believes the long-term success of its online and omnichannel initiatives still rely on the presence of brick-and-mortar stores, despite sales being hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pure gold: French-Australian indie brand La Fervance debuts clean beauty face mask

24-Jul-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Indie brand La Fervance has developed its first clean skin care product – a gold dust-infused facial mask targeting the luxury beauty market that it wants to take global.

Cannabis beauty: Testing for ‘safety, quality and effectiveness’ crucial, says Frost & Sullivan

24-Jul-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Cannabis in beauty and personal care has mushroomed in recent years and created a growing need for raw material testing, but current solutions remain fraught with challenges, says Frost & Sullivan.

‘True strength of Unilever’: Hygiene helps fuel H1 10% net earnings rise

23-Jul-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Personal care major Unilever has reported a slight dip in total net sales for the first half of 2020 but a 10% surge in net income, largely driven by a strong performance across its hygiene business.

Prestige precision: Skin tech firm Cutitronics primed for commercial launch

22-Jul-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Scottish skin tech firm Cutitronics has expanded into Europe just ahead of its white-label commercial launch as it pushes forward with the goal of partnering with prestige beauty brands in the region.

30-minute watch – Episode 6

Clean & Ethical Beauty Video Series Episode 6: Brainstorming the future

21-Jul-2020 By Amanda Lim

In our final episode of the Clean & Ethical Beauty Video Series, we discuss how the events of today will impact how the clean and ethical beauty category might look in the future. Scroll down to watch episode 6.

EC poised to publish endocrine disruptor ‘Fitness Check’ findings

21-Jul-2020 By Kacey Culliney

The European Commission will soon publish its final synopsis report and evaluation of findings from public, stakeholder and SME consultations on current EU assessment and management of endocrine disruptors.

Collagen a ‘hero ingredient of the moment’, says Mintel

20-Jul-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Using collagen in beauty products – specifically ingestibles – is highly relevant amid today’s burgeoning consumer trend towards holistic health and wellness, says Mintel.

‘Impact of COVID-19’: Johnson & Johnson Q2 net earnings plummet 35%

17-Jul-2020 By Kacey Culliney

Personal care major Johnson & Johnson has reported a sharp drop in net earnings across its global business for the second quarter of 2020 and a dip in sales across consumer health due to COVID-19.

‘Upskilling’ complete: L’Oréal to close Clarisonic and refocus on own-brand device NPD

16-Jul-2020 By Kacey Culliney

International beauty major L’Oréal will shut down its facial care brushes business Clarisonic to refocus and invest new product development efforts into own-brand devices.

Durable beauty: Unilever, Nivea and Bulldog among flurry of brands in Loop UK zero-waste pilot platform

16-Jul-2020 By Kacey Culliney

TerraCycle spin-off Loop has launched its UK pilot e-commerce platform in partnership with Tesco, offering a selection of personal care and beauty brands in waste-free, reusable packaging.

Green paradox: Meeting consumer expectations remain ‘key challenge’ in sustainability efforts

16-Jul-2020 By Amanda Lim

Beauty retailer and pharmacy chain A.S. Watson is pushing forward with multiple sustainability initiatives but says meeting consumer consumers expectations in terms of product design and cost remains a challenge.

‘An important statement for us’: UK CBD brand Kloris launches into Boots

15-Jul-2020 By Kacey Culliney

UK-based cannabidiol (CBD) beauty startup Kloris has secured its first nationwide retail launch through Boots, propelling it into the mainstream wellness market as it moves forward with European expansion efforts, its co-founder says.

Hands-on experiences: DIY beauty trend gaining prominence as at-home wellness gains traction

15-Jul-2020 By Amanda Lim

Beauty brands have the opportunity to innovate and develop do-it-yourself products as consumers are increasingly looking such products for well-being entertainment during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Protect your skin: Asahi Breweries-funded RCT shows apple polyphenol intake reduces post-UV pigmentation

15-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Consuming apple polyphenol (AP) supplements before UV exposure can reduce the extent of skin pigmentation, and continued consumption for the next 10 weeks can help speed up skin tone recovery, an RCT funded by Asahi Breweries has shown.