Hot Topics: Top 5 trending beauty and cosmetics news stories on social media

1 — It’s official: Australian Government passes bill to end animal testing for cosmetics

The Australian senate just passed a bill to effectively ban cosmetic testing on animals​ in Australia in a move that has been described as a ‘huge win’ for animals, consumers and science.

The government's Industrial Chemicals Bills 2017, includes measures to prohibit reliance on new animal test data for chemicals introduced into Australia for use as ingredients in cosmetics.

“This ban reflects both the global trend to end cosmetics cruelty, and the will of the Australian public which opposes using animals in the development of cosmetics,” said Hannah Stuart, HSI Campaign Manager for #BeCrueltyFree Australia.

“We thank the Government for showing leadership on this important issue, and HSI will continue to work with them to implement the commitments and enforce a robust ban. This is a huge win for animals, consumers and science.”​

2 — Affordable hemp seed oil skin care brand to launch in Aussie pharmacies

Bod Australia is set to launch its new Manuka honey and hemp seed oil skin care range​ in response to growing demand for unique natural ingredients.

The brand, True Earth, is expected to launch in the next couple of months through an Australian pharmacy chain that the company declined to name.

Unique ingredients wanted

The cosmetics and health products developer wanted to bring a hemp seed oil cosmetic product to market as they noticed consumers were looking for natural yet unique ingredients.

“The rise of environmental damage, pollution and skin aggravators has contributed to the need to heal and balance the skin. Consumers want that, but they don’t want to go to a product that is not completely natural, so they are demanding unique natural ingredients as well as good technology,” ​said Simone Cunico, head of brands and communications for Bod Australia.

3 – Halal personal care windfall: Indonesia hopeful new law will lead to business boom

Indonesia’s government may see a windfall of US$1.6bn​ by issuing Halal certificates for consumer goods from shampoos to toothpaste and cosmetics, according to the new government agency in charge of its implementation, once mandatory Halal labelling is introduced.

A draft regulation, which is awaiting President Joko Widodo’s approval, will enact the long-awaited overhaul Halal certification rules for consumer products and services.

Under the law, which will be implemented on October 17, pending Jokowi’s signature, non-compliance will result in administrative penalties after a three-year grace period.

4 – Malaysia Airlines picks El-Hajj to provide cosmetics to pilgrims

The first skincare brand to target pilgrims​ to Saudi Arabia’s holy sites will supply cosmetics to passengers on a new Malaysia Airlines service as part of an amenity pack given to pilgrims.

Muhammad Hamudi Abdul Khalid, managing director of El-Hajj, said the Kuala Lumpur Halal cosmetics brand had been picked following a tender process.

“It’s an amenity kit—you know, when you travel business class you’ll get a bag with some things inside it. It’s like that,”​ he told CosmeticsDesign-Asia.

“Based on our experience of working with pilgrims, we were invited by Malaysia Airlines to provide and supply these.”

5 – Indonesian authorities raid four illegal cosmetics factories in Jakarta

The Indonesia Food and Drug Monitoring Agency has raided​ four illegal cosmetics factories producing billions of rupiah worth of products in West Jakarta.

The investigative team secured evidence from the four locations that were estimated to have an economic value of over Rp30bn ($2.1m)

The Indonesia Food and Drug Monitoring Agency’s Civil Servant Investigator Team (BPOM PPNS) suspected the four locations to be the site production and distribution of cosmetics illegally.

The factories were located the Taman Surya housing complex, a Daan Mogot Baru shophouse, Citra Business Park and the Surya Molek Park complex. The individual who owned all four factories has since been detained.