Product profiles: Top stories on the new product innovations in the APAC beauty space

1 – Hybrid sun care: Anessa to launch multifunctional skin brightening sunscreen in response to changing pandemic needs

Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido is set to launch a new multifunctional sunscreen​ under the Anessa brand that has skin brightening properties as a response to the changing consumer needs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anessa’s Brightening UV Sunscreen Gel is described as a ‘medicated’ brightening sun protection product that can be used for brightening and moisturising care.

The new launch is set to debut in Japan under a limited release from June 21 onwards.

Anessa is Shiseido’s dedicated mass market sun care brand that is primarily available in pharmacies and drugstores.

2 – L’Oréal to launch ‘infinitely recyclable’ Biotherm bottle in 2025

International beauty major L’Oréal has co-developed a plastic cosmetics bottle with French biotech specialist Carbios, made using fully recycled PET via an enzymatic recycling​ technology that also makes it infinitely recyclable.

The two companies had been working together under a consortium, established back in 2017​, to promote the development and commercial upscale of Carbios’ patented enzymatic recycling technology. Nestlé Waters, PepsiCo and Suntory Beverage & Food Europe were now also members.

And in 2019, L’Oréal advanced its partnership with Carbios further, using the venture capital fund Business Opportunities for L’Oréal Development (BOLD) to buy a minority stake in Carbios​.

Today, L’Oréal and Carbios unveiled the development of a pilot-phase cosmetic bottle made using the technology. A commercial scale rollout was pegged for 2025 under L’Oréal’s prestige skin care brand Biotherm.

3 – Harnessing hemp: Koru Pharmaceuticals develops K-beauty skin care made with hybrid Korean variant

South Korean biopharmaceutical start-up Koru Pharmaceuticals has launched a new skin care brand made with hemp seed oil derived from a hybrid Korean hemp variant.​

Based in Seoul, Koru Pharmaceuticals specialises in anti-ageing medical aesthetic and skin rejuvenation products. Its portfolio includes fillers, bio-revitalization and mesotherapy products, masks, threads and lipolytics.

The firm’s latest brand, Mesohemp, is a skin care range that contain a native Korean species of hemp called green hemp – a hybrid of imported cannabis from the Netherlands and Korean hemp.

Cultured in domestically, the ingredient contains 460 natural substances including Omega 3, 6, 9, and at least 20% cannabidiol (CBD), claims the company.

4 – Potency without irritation: Derma Lab launches sensitive skin-friendly retinol serum

Singapore-based Derma Lab has developed a retinol serum to target those with sensitive skin​ on the back of growing consumer awareness for the potent and effective vitamin A ingredient.

Derma Lab is the sensitive skin care line from Bio-essence, a Singaporean beauty firm founded in 2000. It joined India’s Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting in 2014 through the acquisition of its parent company L D Waxsons Group.

The brand, which is available in Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia, was founded in March 2020 with the aim of being the ‘serum expert’ for sensitive Asian skin.

“While there are many international brands available for sensitive skin, the scientific research team realised that there was a gap in sensitive skin products catered for Asian skin – especially for consumers who lived in tropical climates such as Singapore,”​ said head of marketing, Joanne Tan.

5 – India’s St. Botanica aiming to achieve sales of $13m this year by bringing global trends to the domestic market

India-based St. Botanica believes it is on its way to achieving its goal of surpassing U$13m​ in sales this year as it is set to launch a slew of skin care products that tap into the consumer demand for transparency.

The brand was established in 2015 by personal care firm Emmbros Overseas, which also owns four other brands including Oriental Botanics and Man Arden.

They are available on its official websites as well as leading e-commerce platforms in India, including Amazon, Flipkart and Nykaa. It is also available offline through several retail counters.

In the past year, the company managed to grow and profit despite the chaos of the pandemic. Founder Sahil Mehta attributed this to the brand’s wide-ranging product portfolio and its strong digital presence.