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

1 – Blacklist pledge: Malaysia vows to take action over dangerous and adulterated cosmetics.​

Malaysia’s health ministry is in the process of finding ways to punish companies selling recycled and dangerous​ cosmetics from next year.

The move comes shortly after the publication of an exposé Malay-language newspaper Berita Harian​, which revealed a number of manufacturers would only slightly tweak their formulations after some of their products were found to contain banned substances.

Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry has been looking at amending the Sales of Drugs Act 1952 to impose stricter penalties on companies whose cosmetics contain chemicals like mercury and other compounds.

“We will blacklist products and brands so that they will not be sold online and offline​,” Dzulkefly told reporters.

“We are also considering implementing good manufacturing practices in the near future​,” he added.

2 – No sweat: Lucas Meyers Cosmetics targets active beauty trend with new launch

Ingredients maker Lucas Meyers Cosmetics has launched a flower-powered anti-ageing active that it claims can reduce sweat gland activity to keep skin looking fresh post-workout.​

IBR-Snowflake is an active derived from the summer snowflake bulb that has Botox-like effect of smoothing wrinkles in a safe, non-invasive way.

Aside from having an anti-wrinkle effect, the firm was inspired by Botox treatments used to stop sweat glands from producing excessive sweat and discovered the active could also be used to reduce sweat activity on the skin.

The company conducted clinical testing on women aged 35 to 50 by asking them to apply a product with 1% of the active once a day before they exercised. A decrease in sweat activity was observed, with the sweat excretion rate falling by 15% and 28% at day 7 and day 14 respectively.

“This is an anti-ageing ingredient but its fits in perfectly with the active beauty trend. You can go to the gym and look good after,”​ said Isabelle Lacasse, global marketing director of Lucas Meyers Cosmetics.

3 – Indian expansion: Australia’s G&M Cosmetics seizes growth opportunities in booming market

Australian cosmetics manufacturer G&M Cosmetics will be expanding into India​ with its full range of personal care products starting early 2020.

The firm will begin its entry into the market via Amazon India with three of its brands, Australian Creams, Dr V and P’URE Papaya care, which the company acquired in October.

Bobby Jordanov, general manager for G&M Cosmetics told CosmeticsDesign-Asia that Amazon India was the ideal partner to help it further its ambitions into the market.

“Amazon is the biggest player in the market, and they can reach the whole country. We believe they will help us introduce our brands to the local consumers while we slowly work our way into other channels such as supermarkets and other retail chains.”​

He added that the company also plans to expand its footprint in India through Flipkart, as well as pharmacy and supermarket chains.

4 —‘Strong roots’: India-based Herb Island looking offline to quintuple business in three years

Indian natural beauty brand Herb Island sees potential to grow its business five-fold​ by concentrating efforts in the nation’s offline cosmetics space.

While the company is based in India today, it was first founded in Australia. When the founders had to move back to India, they decided to continue the business as it saw opportunities for a brand with Australian roots in the market.

According to co-founder Karishma Kansagra, the company still imports most of its ingredients such as tea tree oil, macadamia oil, neem extracts and certain butters from Australia.

“We first planned to produce in Australia but since we moved back, it made more sense to operate from here. However, the heart of the brand still lies in Australia​,” said Kansagra.

She believes Australian products resonate with Indian consumers because both share similarities culturally.

5 – A for beauty: Samson & Charlie to embark on Asia expansion as demand for Aussie products soars

The founder of Aussie-based natural beauty brand Samson & Charlie is optimistic of “exciting growth” prospects in Asia Pacific as demand for Australian-made​ products grow.

Carole Staeck founded the brand just a year ago after observing a growing demand for small-batch, high-quality Australian products at a reasonable price.

“I wanted to create high-quality natural products that looked and felt luxurious, without a luxury price tag… and today we offer exceptional quality at a high street price,” ​said Staeck.

Today, the brand is available primarily through its website and is steadily growing its offline presence through in Australia through stockists.

Staeck told CosmeticsDesign-Asia​ that the firm is currently in talks with one of Australia’s largest beauty retailers to distribute its products.

She added that establishing an offline presence was essential for the brand.