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—Beauty games: M.A.C. lipstick collaboration with Tencent mobile game sells out in 24 hours​

M.A.C. Cosmetics has launched a collection inspired by Chinese firm Tencent’s popular mobile game “Honor of Kings”​, which secured 14,000 pre-orders and sold out across all channels within 24 hours of the launch.

The collection comprised of five lipsticks based on five heroines from the game and was available on Tmall, M.A.C.’s online store, and a WeChat mini program.

In an interview with Chinese website LadyMax, M.A.C China noted that the game’s 200 million monthly players inspired the idea for the collaboration.

M.A.C. China marketing director Weng Yanling mentioned that players would associate the characters with some of M.A.C.’s iconic lipstick shades.

3—Beauty meets tech: Singaporean skin care brand launches smart spa experience ​

Singaporean skin care and spa brand Porcelain has unveiled its first smart spa which utilises digital technology ​to create a personalised, interactive and seamless spa experience.

The firm’s fourth outlet combines retail, spa and a café to give its consumers a holistic wellness experience.

“With the digital touch-points at Porcelain Origins and the new Porcelain app, our customers are treated to a more personalised approach and experience,” said Ng.

“The digital innovations at Porcelain Origins also help us understand our clients' changing skincare needs. Our AI algorithms will help create a smarter, more dynamic feedback loop for us to better develop products and services.”

4—No delay: Indonesia will not be postponing compulsary halal label deadline​

Indonesia’s compulsory halal certification and labelling will start on October 17 this year as planned​, says officials, despite reports suggesting their could be delays

Head of Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), Sukoso, told Salaam Gateway that the reports were “misleading”.

The compulsory halal labelling law is part of Indonesia’s Islamic economy masterplan, which is scheduled to launch on March 26.

This plan will complement Indonesia’s 10-year Islamic finance masterplan, which was announced in 2016 to drive the growth of the country’s Shariah-compliant financial sector.

The goal, said Islamic financial education and research director Sutan Emir Hidayat, is for Indonesia to become a “prominent” epicentre for the Islamic economy. 

In order to achieve this, compulsory halal certification and labelling needs to begin as scheduled.

5—From food science to skin care: Innovative serum targets root cause of pigmentation​

Singaporean beauty start-up 28Cubed has created an innovative solution to skin brightening with the help of food science knowledge.​

Bioscience company, NamZ, founded 28Cubed after decades of work in the food science industry.

“Since 2014, our team of food scientists found that certain molecules with similar structures to those targeting skin cell melanin production pathway are actually found in food ingredients. This discovery took us into researching how melanin is produced within the body and how it's affected by external factors.”​ said director of 28CUBED, Yang Zhongdong.

Almost two decades of research led them to creating Po3, a patented combination of three common and safe food-based molecules: maltol, sodium saccharin and theobromine.

While most brightening products bleach the skin’s surface or target the metabolic pathway with ingredients like niacinamide, Po3 targets both the metabolic and signalling pathway.