Naturals and organics

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Behind the bacterium innovation "for more sustainable sun protection"

By Kirsty Doolan

Italian microbiome startup Bacfarm just won Shiseido’s annual startup competition with an innovation that can have uses in both topical and nutra sun care products. We spoke to the co-founder to learn more about how it could disrupt the category...

Image: Getty

Cosmetics regulations roundup: EU & UK markets

By Keysha Davis

From fragrance allergens to potential endocrine disruptors and sun protection, here’s what you need to know about the latest cosmetics regulation changes in the EU and UK.

Image: Stenders

Stenders is set for global expansion

By Kirsty Doolan

The global investment firm L Catterton has acquired a majority stake in premium Latvian bath and body care company, Stenders, and plans to expand “on the back of secular tailwinds.”

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6 cosmetics brands making big waves in sustainability

By Kirsty Doolan

From ethical ingredients sourcing, to packaging innovations and preventing biodiversity loss, we heard from six beauty and personal care companies about how they are being more sustainable...

2024 Sustainable Beauty Award announcement © Ivan Bajic Getty Images

Entries now open for the 2024 Sustainable Beauty Awards

By Cassandra Stern

With five categories spanning innovations in sustainable products, ingredients, initiatives, and more, this year's Sustainable Beauty Awards will highlight the best of the beauty industry's eco-friendly efforts.

Start the week with a startup: Lignopure

Start the week with a startup: Lignopure

By Kirsty Doolan

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

Use of exosomes in cosmetics formulations can help to lessen wrinkles, enhance skin texture, and improve elasticity (Image: Getty)

What are exosomes in skin care and why do they matter?

By Kirsty Doolan

With a rising demand for effective ‘better-ageing’ solutions, the skin care industry is increasingly intrigued by the potential of exosomes for formulations. What are they and how can they improve skin?

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.

© CosmeticsDesign

Key trends and insights from Cosmoprof North America 2024

By Cassandra Stern

Cosmoprof North America in Las Vegas showcased a vibrant blend of nostalgic brand collaborations, Generation Alpha-focused products, and bold, preppy packaging trends, highlighting the future direction of the beauty industry.

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...

(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.

Barnes said that Christmas popup events are getting earlier each year due to the popularity of Black Friday sales

4 things every beauty brand should know about experiential popups

By Kirsty Doolan

In-real-life popup experiences continue to be a strong bet for beauty and personal care businesses that want to raise their brand profile, launch a new product and generally attract new loyal customers. But what do brands need to know before they invest...

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.

b.kolor's value chain covers the entire creation process from the customer’s brief until the end product

Givaudan acquires b.kolor to expand makeup & skin care offer

By Kirsty Doolan

Swiss beauty and fragrance ingredients company Givaudan has acquired b.kolormakeup & skincare (b.kolor) – an Italian beauty manufacturer that specialises in developing and producing finished colour cosmetics and skin care products.

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....

9 new beauty packaging innovations

9 new beauty packaging innovations

By Kirsty Doolan

What’s trending in beauty and personal care product packaging development? Here’s nine recent developments in luxury cosmetics packaging…

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