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

1 – Next stop Japan: Intercos targets ‘sleeping beauty’ after China and Korea success​

Cosmetics contract manufacturer Intercos is looking to expand its footprint in Japan​ to strengthen its presence in the Asian markets, on the back of strong growth in China and Korea

The Italian firm, which specialises in colour cosmetics, pencils, nail polish, skincare and personal care products, exhibited at CITE Japan for the first time this year following its joint venture with Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation Group in 2018.

Make-up strategic marketing and account development VP of Asia, Anna Dato said it was imperative for the company to build its presence in Japan considering the rising popularity of J-Beauty.

“Japan is a leading market for prestige. Japan has been a sleeping beauty and now it’s waking up again. It’s very important for us to be here right now.”​

2 — WATCH: Three ways China’s young consumers are changing the beauty landscape

The ever-changing demands and expectations of China’s younger consumers are changing the way international beauty brands cater​ to its demanding beauty market.

A report by Reuter Communications has uncovered how changing the mindset of younger consumers are impacting the tastes and expectations of China’s young beauty consumers.

Researchers spoke to several hundred beauty consumers across first-tier cities in China to learn how brands can stay head of the rapidly changing consumer and stay ahead in this competitive arena.

3 – India's SUGAR Cosmetics seeks to hit the sweet spot with aggressive offline expansion

Indian beauty brand SUGAR Cosmetics is rapidly expanding offline to strengthen​ its presence in the market, as well as enhance customer experience.

“These stay the prime reasons to venture and expand into offline presence,”​ said CEO Vineeta Singh.

SUGAR started online and now has over 400 retail touchpoints across India.

It is available via general trade stores, self-operated kiosks as well as retail chains such as Health & Glow and Project Eve.

Earlier this year, the brand ramped up its offline expansion by launching its own brick-and-mortar stores in Kolkata and Bengaluru.

4 – 'Best of both worlds': Singaporean entrepreneur launches superfood-inspired skin care range

A Singaporean entrepreneur hopes to capitalise on Asian awareness of traditional natural ingredients with her superfood-inspired skin care line​.

Rooki Beauty was launched online early in May by founder Hayley Teo.

Before Rooki, Teo founded a natural beauty brand Into The Wild which sold homemade balms, body butters and clay masks using ingredients like coconut oil, avocado oil and mango butter.

As the brand grew, Teo realised her brand had difficulties standing out as a natural beauty brand.

“I realised that many of [my customers] have this idea that natural beauty products are safe but not necessarily effective,”​ said Teo.

5 — Pandan power: Singapore beauty brand hopes to elevate humble SEA ingredients to super ingredient status

Founder of Singapore-based brand Restoration Essence is tapping into the ‘hidden potentials’ of everyday ingredients​ that can be found in kitchens all over South East Asia.

The star ingredient of the brand is pandan, a common ingredient that is widely used in South East Asian cooking as a flavouring.

The ingredient is used in a number of products, including the brand’s best-selling and award-winning Pandan Facial Scrub.

“Pandan is everywhere, but most people just think of it a common plant used in food or in taxis to ward off cockroaches. But it’s a very valuable ingredient, for example, people have been drinking pandan water to ease the pain of arthritis for years,”​ explained founder Sara Davina Soong.