Brand story: Top cosmetics news on Amorepacific, Shiseido, Unilever and more

1 – Tailored fit: Amorepacific to debut customised 3D-printed mask under IOPE brand

Amorepacific is set to launch its first 3D-printed personalised mask​ in the late April under its skin care brand, IOPE.

The mask is made-to-measure by a 3D printing system is driven by a smartphone app that instantly measures users' facial dimensions to print a personalised hydrogel mask that is tailored to individual facial features and skin conditions.

The South Korean beauty behemoth developed the custom mask in partnership with Lincsolution, a South Korean company that specialises in 3D printing technology.

The 3D printing system utilises a cartridge-based module that ensures hygienic and efficient use of the liquid-type hydrogel material for skin care.

As the mask is perfectly tailored to each individual’s facial structure, the mask can adhere perfectly onto the skin and can more accurately target certain areas, such as the forehead, eyes, nose, cheeks, and mouth.

2 – Bouncing back: A.S. Watson’s China business sees improvement following COVID-19 outbreak

Health and beauty retailer A.S. Watson has observed a strong recovery in China​ after over a month of store closures due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Last year, the Hong Kong-based company and subsidiary of C.K. Hutchinson, increased its Watsons store numbers in China by 9%, bringing up the total number of outlets to 3,947 in 483 cities.

When the COVID-19 outbreak started in January, the company saw its business quickly affected as cities came to a standstill.

At its peak, some 2,500 stores, which make up 64% of its total force, remained closed for over a month. Store traffic dropped about 90% which led to sales plummeting by 80%.

In the first weeks of March, however, the firm observed a reassuring improvement in its business.

“In March we saw strong recovery. Up to yesterday, only 4% of our stores were closed. The remaining are open and operating… Sales numbers are quite encouraging under these circumstances,”​ said Dominic Lai, group managing director of A.S. Watson Group, said during C.K. Hutchinson’s 2019 annual result conference call on March 19.

3 – Food for the skin: Pola Orbis scores as ‘oral’ skin care product pulls in $264m in first year

Cosmetics manufacturer Pola Orbis announced that its edible beauty product​ has exceeded the company’s expectations and raked in JYP29bn ($264m) in sales its first year.

The maker of POLA and THREE unveiled Defencera under the Orbis brand in Japan at the start of 2019 and the company expanded its presence in Asia throughout the year with launches in China, Singapore and Taiwan.

Sales grew at a rapid pace and in approximately a year, the company had sold over a million units of Defencera.

The company said the product was instrumental in helping the brand gain new customers.

Additionally, the products went onto win multiple awards, including the top spot under the inner beauty category on @cosme, Japan’s most popular beauty review site.

According to Pola Orbis, Defencera is an oral skin care product that prevents the skin from losing moisture using DF-Ceramides, a purified form of ceramides derived from brown rice.

4 – Fresh-faced glow: Shiseido Travel Retail caters to demand for ‘natural look’ to boost make-up segment

Shiseido Travel Retail is looking to accelerate the growth of its colour cosmetics​ segment with an assortment of make-up products to help travel-weary consumers achieve the desired natural look while on-the-go.

Launching in the first quarter of 2020, the Spring line-up consists of products from its four prestige brands: NARS, Laura Mercier, SHISEIDO, and Clé de Peau Beauté

The coloured lip balms, cushion compacts and protective primers were launched in response to the growing traveller demand for make-up that provides a softer, 'au naturale' look.

“In line with our consumer-centric strategy, we are proud to present a collection that meets the current consumer trend of all-natural beauty,” ​said Vice president of marketing and innovation, Elisabeth Jouguelet.

She added that the company leveraged on this opportunity to further boost the fast-growing make-up category.

“The make-up segment has become the fastest-growing category within Shiseido Travel Retail, and we are committed to accelerating this growth through continuous beauty innovation.”​

5 – Hindustan Unilever rebukes claims it raised soap prices to profit from COVID-19 crisis

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has clarified ‘misleading reports’​ that it increased prices of its soaps amid India’s looming battle against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

HUL manufactures brands such as Lifebuoy and Dove and claims to be India’s largest Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company.

According to the company, it had been receiving criticism over social media that it was trying to profit from a health crisis.

“We would like to state that this is completely false. We have not increased prices of soaps after the outbreak of COVID- 19 in India, especially when people need hygiene products the most,” ​said the company in a statement.

The firm noted that while it did increase the prices of its soaps in January 2020, it was because of the rising price of palm oil and not an opportunistic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The price of palm oil, a key ingredient for soaps, has been increasing for many months, and at the end of 2019, was up over 25%. Therefore, in January 2020, we increased prices of our soaps by 5% to 6% across our brands: Lux, Lifebuoy, Dove, Hamam, Liril and Pears.”​