Skin care

RSPO roundtable to ‘turn the page’ on palm oil sourcing for Europe

30-May-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

As more European countries commit to sourcing only certified sustainable palm oil, a round table has been organised by the RSPO to start a new dialogue with Europe’s supply chain as to ‘shared responsibilities’ in this area.

Nestlé's sweet tooth for skin care seals $1.4 billion deal with Valeant

28-May-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

Swiss food giant Nestlé has extended its investment in skin care by buying the rights to several of Valeant Pharmaceuticals dermatology products for $1.4 billion (€1027).

Industry falls in behind L’Oréal's investment in breakthrough discovery from Antarctic fish

27-May-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

Last November, we reported on L’Oréal filing a use of patent on Sirona Biochem’s secret to anti-ageing from Antarctic fish. Less than a year later, further developments also see potential in skin lightening treatments and the latest deal involves Bloom...

Cosmetic formula-centric app navigates complex regulatory requirements

27-May-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

Dassault Systèmes’, a specialist in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management solutions has developed the 'ENOVIA' app for cosmetic formula-centric companies to navigate complex regulatory requirements and manage and leverage formulas more effectively.

Growing natural trend and intense competition in anti-ageing market

23-May-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

It is no secret that anti-ageing is such a lucrative segment of the skin care market, but while the natural trend may be driving the market, intense competition could be hindering some.

AMA claims ‘industry first’ in documenting the protection of products in the Infrared range

23-May-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

AMA laboratories claims it has developed the first protocol that protects against infrared, which scientists have found to cause as much damage as sun-related IRA radiation.

EU launches green cosmetics ingredients project

22-May-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

As the natural trend continues, a European consortium has been set up with the aim of establishing and demonstrating environment-friendly production processes and novel cosmetic ingredients with a lower environmental footprint.

EU puts forward hopes for increased unity in transatlantic cosmetics standards

21-May-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

As part of ongoing talks between the US and the EU thrashing out the details of the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the European Commission has released a position paper on cosmetics, which outlines the continent’s hope for greater...

Naturex talks investment in purification technologies

21-May-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

On giving Cosmetics Design a preview of its newest portfolio 'NATpurity', we sat down with Naturex to discuss the brand’s investment in upgrading its' expertise through technologies at its France based facility.

Unilever’s Lynx pays up for using peace logo

16-May-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Unilever has given an undisclosed sum to the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, in response to the complaint made by the protest group that the use of its peace logo in Lynx promotional materials was “a flagrant co-opting of decades of activism”. 

Cosmetics boosting sales of acne-fighting salicylic acid

16-May-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

The use of salicylic acid, a multifunctional ingredient that addresses many of the systemic causes of blemishes, is on the rise in acne treatments and related cosmetics, and, according to a new report, this growth is set to continue. 

Paraben-free claims continue to charm consumers; beauty industry profiting

15-May-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Although research continues to conclude that the paraben preserving agents used widely in cosmetics pose no threat to human health, consumer enthusiasm for products able to make ‘paraben-free’ claims remains robust, and brands are making the most of the...

Exclusive Interview

Clariant reveals expertise in formulation technologies

14-May-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

On the back of specialty chemicals provider Clariant further developing its ‘Secret Code of Beauty’ portfolio, we sat down to discuss how the brand’s investment in innovative technology is enabling it to provide more efficient ingredients.

Certified Sustainable Palm Oil use increases 49% on last year

14-May-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The uptake of certified sustainable palm oil has seen a 49% increase in the first quarter of 2014 compared to last year which many believe is a positive landmark for the industry that has been threatening to destroy rainforests in Indonesia and around...

None of your beeswax: chemically tainted ingredient pushes brands to source abroad

09-May-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Beeswax is causing quite a buzz: demand for the material has risen by an estimated 25% in Australia over the last two years, and producers are citing its use as an ingredient in European and US cosmetics as a key factor behind the boom. 

Scrubbing up online: beauty brand Lush polishes digital techniques

06-May-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Lush, well-known for the heady scents and visual identity of its high street outlets, is now attempting to translate its very physical retail offering onto the web.

Brands investing in MENA region as it gears up for growth

06-May-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Unilever is investing robustly in the Middle East and North Africa region, a move which follows recent industry expert predictions for strong growth in the region for beauty and personal care.

Mummy preservation inspires Irish peat-based skin care line

02-May-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

Following a US study revealing bogs in County Offaly, Ireland, to have the highest organic matter of all bogs worldwide, premium skin care brand Ógra is capitalising on Irish peat, with the first full line to feature the rejuvenating material. 

EU committee considering formaldehyde in nail hardeners

30-Apr-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Formaldehyde is set to be listed as a category 1B carcinogen, banning its use in European cosmetics; despite this, the European Commission is seeking opinions on whether to allow an exception on the continued use in nail hardeners.

Certified palm oil is our shared responsibility, says RSPO

29-Apr-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) will gather industry and NGOs from across the UK and Europe to launch new dialogue on shared responsibility and the supply chain.

'Scientists must be in the vision, not just the formulation,' says Oriflame VP

29-Apr-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

Cosmetics Design was invited to Oriflame’s facility in Dublin where Senior Vice President of research and development revealed the importance of laboratories being involved in the end vision of a product.

Beauty industry to save big with Unilever’s plastic packaging reduction

29-Apr-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Unilever has developed a technology to reduce plastic in its personal care packaging by ‘at least’ 15%, in a move which will both further bolster its sustainable profile, and potentially save the industry big in packaging costs.

Squalane versus squalene, are you aware of what you may be paying for?

25-Apr-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

Pop quiz: Do you know the difference between squalane and squalene? And if so, are you certain which one you may be getting from suppliers? 

Shiseido skin protection research points to new skin care technology

23-Apr-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Cosmetics manufacturer Shiseido will use research efforts into Langerhans cells and a function of skin immunity to develop a new line of skin care products as a solution for maintaining skin stability.

UK consumers to continue mobilising on sun care?

23-Apr-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

According to new figures from Cancer Research UK (CRUK), sun cancer rates have risen sharply in the UK since 1970s as a result of inadequate sun protection: the new figures are likely to fuel an already rising consumer concern for sun care which was seen...

Beauty innovation suffering from ‘tunnel vision’, expert says

22-Apr-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

“Innovation is not dead,” notes industry expert Steve Barton, but, according to the professional skin biologist, it’s certainly not alive and kicking. “How many alphabet creams can you possibly need?” he wonders.

Western consumers are now demanding skin care influences from Asia

22-Apr-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

It is important for ingredient suppliers to stay relevant and follow the trends – which in skin care right now, is coming from Asia…

Suppliers need to listen to global consumers so they can use the same language as manufacturers

22-Apr-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Two years after launching its Care Creations brand to reach all consumers from different markets around the world, BASF has now developed new innovations based on consumer needs, which are just as important to ingredient suppliers.

Mibelle Biochemistry explains anti-ageing caloric restriction concept

17-Apr-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

At the in-cosmetics event in Hamburg Cosmetics Design met with Mibelle Biochemistry’s Dr Fred Zuelli, who explained the company’s new snow algae extract launched at the show, and explains how it works.

Sensorial attributes becoming increasingly important in skin care

17-Apr-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The touch and feel of a formula is becoming more important in order to satisfy demand and meet consumer needs, which is why it is a top priority for ingredient suppliers.

Adverse Outcome Pathways holding the key to regulatory hurdles?

16-Apr-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Following a successful in-cosmetics workshop on the regulatory issues facing the industry, Annelie Struessman of CONUSBAT, chair of the workshop, stopped off to give the Cosmetics Design team the low-down on what was discussed.

Datamonitor reveals 'exciting' sunscreen innovation trends

16-Apr-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

At in-cosmetics in Hamburg Ramaa Chipalkatti, senior analyst at Datamonitor stopped by Cosmetics Design's booth to chat about all things innovative in sun care segment.

Symrise launches new sun care ingredient

15-Apr-2014 By Katie Nichol

German ingredients supplier Symrise has launched SymTio S, a patent-pending novel sunscreen ingredient consisting of micro fine titanium dioxide coated with the ester cetearyl nonanoate.

Kline reveals China and Brazil to influence specialty active trends

11-Apr-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

At the in-cosmetics event in Hamburg, Nikola Matic industry manager at Kline stopped by Cosmetics Design's booth to discuss his presentation which focused on specialty actives and what markets we are likely to see innovation coming from next. 

Mis-indentification a serious issue for the botanical industry, says expert

11-Apr-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

Medicine Hunter Chris Kilham stopped spoke with Cosmetics Design at the in-cosmetics event in Hamburg to discuss superflowers, the issue of mis-identification in botanical sourcing, and where he's off to next sourcing for Naturex. 

Over-reliance on discounting in premium has backfired, says expert

10-Apr-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

The latest research from Imogen Matthews Associates, in association with YouGov, reports more consumers than ever are waiting for discounts before they buy cosmetics. A strategy which may have backfired for some premium brands.  

“Inherently fickle and deeply disloyal” - anti-ageing is lost on teens, say experts

09-Apr-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Brands are wasting their time trying to hook younger consumers in for the long haul with anti-ageing claims, according to industry experts speaking recently at a roundtable discussion on the topic hosted by CosmeticsDesign.

Hair loss and fat – it’s all linked finds new study

08-Apr-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

A new study combining science from Australia and the UK has suggested that losing weight and halting hair loss could go hand-in-hand after findings show that the skin can regulate fat production.

Voice of the Industry

Will King fights for personal care players in sluggish male grooming sector

08-Apr-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

The rambunctious founder of UK men’s grooming brand King of Shaves says he disagrees with the suggestion that the big personal care players do not know how to communicate with men.

In-cosmetics awards: The winners are…

04-Apr-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

As the doors close on another in-cosmetics event in Hamburg this week, ingredient suppliers Gattefossé and Alban Muller were among the companies to celebrate having scooped gold at the innovation awards.

Consumer enthusiasm for naturals gives rise to tasty trend

04-Apr-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Food in cosmetics was pulled up as a key growing trend at this year’s in-cosmetics event in Hamburg, rising on the back of ongoing consumer enthusiasm for naturals in beauty products.

Industry first - New robot ensures consistent sunscreen In Vitro testing

04-Apr-2014

French laboratory HelioScreen has developed a ‘robot’ that ensures consistency when performing in-vitro UV protection tests. The technology will act as a solution to a major obstacle currently facing this area of the industry.

Exclusive Insight

Estée Lauder on the look-out: Ready to acquire… if the deal is right?

03-Apr-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The rumour mill is in full swing but it is not too ridiculous to suggest that Estée Lauder could be ripe to join the acquisition trail given its history and the current state of the market. It is not exactly out of character for the big players either…

Cosmetics company gets rapped for trading under BBC name

03-Apr-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

A company retailing products in Russia has been called out for ‘misleading’ consumers by trading under the BBC name, and has had its trademark invalidated.

Spotlight on sustainability: what are the key players up to?

03-Apr-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Events like Greenpeace’s recent protest directed at P&G’s palm oil sourcing have brought beauty’s sustainability right into the public eye, and rising consumer interest is leading beauty players to focus on upping their game.

L'Oréal and Shiseido voted 'ethical companies'

03-Apr-2014 By Lucy Whitehouse

Two global beauty brands, L'Oréal and Shiseido, have been announced as winners of the 2014 ‘World’s Most Ethical Companies’ award for the health and beauty category.

Naturex talks ‘botanical adulteration’ ahead of in-cosmetics

27-Mar-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

According to natural ingredients supplier Naturex, in order to maintain consumer loyalty, manufacturers need to rely on a strong partner that has complete control over all aspects of the ingredient production process.  

in-cosmetics ‘green award’ shortlist announced

27-Mar-2014

Ahead of next week’s trade show in Hamburg, organisers of in-cosmetics have announced the short list for the annual exposition’s newly launched ‘green award’.

RSPO: communication improvement supports sustainable palm oil development

27-Mar-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

An improvement in communication channels will help to deliver the message and importance of sustainable palm oil to customers and consumers; and industry is beginning to work towards this, according to the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

in-cosmetics 2014 ready to launch next week

26-Mar-2014

Key European trade show, in-cosmetics, is set to return for its 2014 edition in one week, when it will open its doors to the industry in Hamburg.