Click through to see a gallery of our top cosmetic stories of April 2020, featuring news from Azelis, DSM, L'Oreal, Shiseido and Watsons.
![Our top stories of April](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/resizer/v2/JYN6YJ27LJPAJPFDOXTEB4B4W4.jpg?auth=157b6ae890f05391af279b5668172af1ac999b7f432cecd1566abb05fdbc4680&width=650&height=365&smart=true)
Click through to see a gallery of our top cosmetic stories of April 2020, featuring news from Azelis, DSM, L'Oreal, Shiseido and Watsons.
![Essential oils and COVID-19: Industry warns no sufficient evidence for efficacy amid sales surge](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/resizer/v2/JHPARRXV55OYBIZL3GLSE2SRVY.jpg?auth=c8c2ac131d43881398752671e855f186e7a02b8efaa7051defdc023c05d2cc76&width=724&height=483&smart=true)
The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has seen a surge in demand for essential oils with claims of antiviral and antibacterial effects, although the industry has warned there are no sufficient evidence of its efficacy against the pandemic.
![COVID-19 and conscious beauty: Emerging trend will get a boost in the aftermath of pandemic](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/resizer/v2/4Z6IAI2AVFMLRIGAGRC4OLI2XU.jpg?auth=9d8d47ee3929504865b44fe2957ad563a5f9e9d0ed512d726051fe65ec359a76&width=723&height=406&smart=true)
The market is set to see a boom in conscious beauty, with one firm believing that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) will have a clear and lasting impact on the emerging trend.
![Decoding COVID-19 impact: Colour cosmetics to slow, personal hygiene and skin care to soar?](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/resizer/v2/WL43SP567ZLIDOQJ544SORF2OY.jpg?auth=656faaaa8cc21d7aa610ad7ed3ca9cd8057b93122569f48bb3a566ab4251d37e&width=724&height=483&smart=true)
Beauty products considered safe, trustworthy and comforting will see a sharp rise in demand in the aftermath of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), with one firm also believing that colour cosmetics could dip, while hygiene and skin care will drive forward.
![‘Remarkable’ rebound: L’Oréal China’s strong Q1 results show appetite for beauty ‘remains intact’ despite COVID-19 – CEO](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/resizer/v2/KRQXKOFJJFNALADJ64OYHFMY3Q.png?auth=cf9571d46620aa5614fab04436babc681ca5f74cd61d28cad1f4ef6da14b1460&width=748&height=429&smart=true)
French cosmetics company L’Oréal reported that its sales in China have seen progressive signs of recovery since the country was hit by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, potentially signalling that the cosmetics market is headed for a quick recovery post-pandemic.
![Skin-friendly hand sanitisers: Holista Colltech and Skin Elements partner for new launch amid COVID-19 pandemic](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/resizer/v2/MPFXWH7UKZMINMLJCARGBCIWDI.jpg?auth=9633b2f726ba7ba744c94589b7e67f2bd89b9e2b44f995452b87a86b7f258f08&width=724&height=483&smart=true)
Biotech firm Holista Colltech and skin care specialist Skin Elements – both of which are listed on the Australian stock exchange - have announced a deal to launch a natural and alcohol-free hand sanitiser.
![Post-pandemic future: Beauty industry will see more emphasis on digital, collaboration and sustainability after COVID-19](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/resizer/v2/AIEQTQEX4FMQLKSP5UJXPEBLYM.jpg?auth=57df5ad625cab7dbdeda9af327a988c183fc41dadad7e06fd3fe439344bb6c52&width=723&height=407&smart=true)
The novel coronavirus outbreak will have lasting impact on the beauty industry when it comes to digital strategies, cross-collaborations and sustainability.
![The COVID-19 impact: Vietnam personal care market jumps by double-digits](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/resizer/v2/MD2JKR3PORNDJKA5GPCRCVJW6E.jpg?auth=0986f9264e908695e136ea381f7e9199a2112bead9f75f50d345a102c6544b3d&width=724&height=406&smart=true)
The first four weeks of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak saw double-digit growth in Vietnam’s personal care market and one expert believes it will continue rising well after the pandemic eases.
![‘Sales greatly declining’: Shiseido braced for Europe and Americas COVID-19 downturn as China shows signs of recovery](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/resizer/v2/M7MWZDRCAZKIVNQF6SPYQQXTAM.jpg?auth=2aa61481ed88c081eed63d9c57ce07da7f9ca132c3d446f955ae21fe27cf046f&width=749&height=474&smart=true)
The Shiseido Company is bracing for impact as the novel coronavirus spreads through Europe and the Americas, while its China business shows encouraging signs of recovery.
![‘Power of trees’: Shiseido introduces new sustainable skin care brand to prestige line-up](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/resizer/v2/4ZY3GZX75ZOS7BCRWD64D2PHXI.jpg?auth=3ca77e4fd9f5bd68eba775d507f581cf1c54e067245d646ba7c4f58cfd087f65&width=750&height=422&smart=true)
The Shiseido Company is jumping on the sustainability bandwagon with a new luxury brand that leverages on the ‘power of trees’.
![Digital acceleration: A.S. Watson underlines importance of its digital investments amid COVID-19 outbreak](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/resizer/v2/G4LDRP5M5FIWFJC6LTARU6NAG4.png?auth=2a3ef120f0317d2d1216f379ab5137125f49f5bd59af7e765b14237ed1e1ca80&width=748&height=421&smart=true)
The investments poured into the digital transformation of its front and backend systems have put retailer Watsons in a strong position to tackle the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, according to its Group COO.