Major scalp: Singapore association to showcase the next big trend in ‘haircare’ revolution

This year’s SCSS suppliers day will begin with a tour and introduction into skin and scalp research conducted at the Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS).

Society president Nobuaki Matsuoka told us: “The Tour to the Heart of Singapore Skin/Scalp Research is our first attempt. We chose this because in order to innovate cosmetics products, it is very crucial to advance methodology of the biological and clinical testing to innovate cosmetic products for the skin and scalp. The hair care revolution is well underway and scalp care is the next big trend. With this tour, SCSS hopes to foster a platform of opportunities,” ​said Matsuoka.

On the second day, the event will return to Marriot Tang Plaza Hotel, where 30 exhibitors will showcase their latest offerings.

Visitors will also be treated to podium talks by industry insiders from cosmetic companies including DuPont Industrial BioScience, Floratech, Lubrizol and Seppic Asia.

“The nine speakers will present their cutting edge scientific trends and findings. This includes a guest speaker from the Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan (SCCJ) who has achieved three consecutive IFSCC congress awards,” ​said Matsuoka.

Visitors can also learn to create five different facial masks with an enhanced delivery system in a workshop hosted by Belinda Carli, director of the Institute of Personal Care Science.

Matsuoka added that the event was a great opportunity to network. “Our society is not a big society, this means we can offer dense and intensive networking sessions in an open and friendly atmosphere at a personal level.”​

Vision of the future

This year’s edition of SCSS Suppliers Day, which will take place on August 29 to 30, is a very significant event, Matsuoka told CosmeticsDesign-Asia.​

“This year marks the 10^th​ anniversary of SCSS Suppliers Day and the 15^th​ anniversary of SCSS. So we wanted to make the event more special with a two-day event. This way we can take the society to the next level in the next five to 10 years.”​

Matsuoka hopes to continue the new two-day format in the future. However, his real aim is to partner with cosmetic chemist societies across Asia to create an Asia-wide event.

“To be honest, even though the size of the cosmetic industry in Singapore is growing, it’s not comparable with other regions, like Japan, where there are more high-quality and advanced science available.”​

He added that he has already been strategically involving the Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan (SCCJ) to enhance the technical ecosystem by engaging Japanese suppliers, vendors and scientists.

He elaborated: “Japan’s cosmetics industry is far bigger compared to Singapore. I hope to strategically create an ecosystem with SCCJ so that we can create new capabilities here in Singapore so we can offer more for our members.”​

While the industry may be small in Singapore, Matsuoka points out that its needs are very diverse in terms of target consumer and types of companies.

“Historically, we have been focused on engaging of members form big companies like P&G and BASF. While that is great, in the future, we also want to partner with the Economic Development Board to engage smaller companies and work with people on the academia side as well.”​