Made in Asia: Beauty innovation and developments from Asian cosmetic companies

Unique ingredients with local relevance key to developing hit fragrance​

Singapore-based Scent Journer has emphasised the importance of individuality in the saturated fragrance market with unique ingredients such as Sichuan peppers and pandan.

Scent Journer is a perfume label that launched in 2021 by perfumer Joyce Lian. The start-up was previously incubated under the National University of Singapore’s NUS Enterprise.

It recently launched its fifth perfume, Soaring at Dawn a fresh and citrusy fragrance with a surprising twist. In addition to bergamot, neroli, mandarin, and orange blossom, she added Sichuan pepper into the mix.

Pola Orbis new sunscreen tech harnesses sunlight to boost collagen and skin clarity​

Pola Orbis claims to have successfully developed sunscreen technology that utilises the beneficial effects of red and blue light, which it says can lead to firmer and more beautiful skin.
In December 2023, the Japanese cosmetics firm announced that it had researched the effects of red light on dermal fibroblasts.

It found that exposure to red light can boost the production of collagen, leading to firmer skin.

LG H&H’s AI-backed tattoo printer gunning for wider reach in SEA and North America​

LG Household & Health Care (LG H&H)’s beauty tech brand Imprintu hopes its recently opened Thailand store will act as a springboard for wider South East Asia expansion, while looking to make headway into North America with its participation in CES 2024.

Since its launch in May 2022, LG H&H’s Imprintu has captured significant attention among millennials and Gen Zs both in Korea and overseas.

An average of 67,000 people from 193 countries visit Imprintu’s online store every month, according to the firm.

SkinCure Asia introduces its first in-house brand with patented Antarcticine formula​

Hong Kong cosmetics distributor SkinCure Asia is set to debut its first in-house brand with the launch of 7 Journeys in January.
7 Journeys encompassed a range of skin care essentials, including an eye cream and moisturiser priced at USD45 and USD55 respectively, that are made from Acai berries.

It features a hero ingredient sourced from Antarctica, known as Antarcticine. It is a glycoprotein obtained through biotechnology from the marine bacterium strain Pseudoalteromonas Antarctica NF3.

LG H&H rides upcycling trend with launch of new conscious beauty brand​

LG Household & Health Care (LG H&H) recently unveiled its new conscious beauty brand UGLY LOVELY, which upcycles “ugly crops” into ingredients, to meet the increasing demand for sustainable cosmetics.
The South Korean conglomerate joins the rising number of companies that are using waste materials from the food industry to make cosmetic ingredients.
With Asia being named by industry players as one of the fastest-growing markets for natural beauty, LG H&H looks to claim a slice of the market through UGLY LOVELY.