What’s trending? The most-read stories on APAC beauty market and consumer insights

1 – The Face Shop introduces first vegan skin care line with eco-conscious packaging

K-beauty brand The Face Shop has introduced its first vegan-certified skin care line​ which features eco-conscious refillable packaging to reduce the use of single-use plastic.

The Therapy is a skin care range under The Face Shop. The products feature ingredients such as edelweiss grown in the Swiss Alps and do not contain any animal-derived ingredients nor are they tested on animals.

The line-up is certified by the Korean Agency of Vegan Certification and Services, which is accredited by The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).

2 – How to win over… the eco-conscious consumer while avoiding the pitfalls of greenwashing

How can the beauty sector move beyond packaging to innovate with new concepts, product formats and materials​ to win over the eco-conscious consumer, while avoiding the trap of greenwashing? We take a deep dive to find out…

The lifestyle shift is pushing more cosmetic players are taking a minimalist approach to beauty. More are exploring the use of upcycled materials and waterless formulations.

However, brands must avoid the pitfalls of sustainability fatigue and greenwashing.

3 – SkinDNA CEO on why RNA is the ‘next evolution’ in genetic skin testing

Australian biotechnology company SkinDNA has developed a non-invasive and pain-free method​ to collect skin RNA samples which can be used to inform beauty consumers on the efficacy of their skin care products.

SkinDNA CEO Stefan Mazy believes skin genetic testing companies are now facing the challenge of giving skin care consumers information about their products immediately.

The company has developed SkinRNA, a wearable patch for collection and subsequent analysis of skin RNA.

This product would allow consumers to get targeted product recommendations and results tracking.

4 – Redefinition of beauty driving women to focus on sustainability and health – Watsons CEO

The changing perception of beauty is leading women to focus on sustainable beauty products and beauty supplements​, says the CEO of health and beauty retailer Watsons.

The company conducted two studies and results revealed that inner beauty was becoming a crucial barometer of beauty. Overall, 75% of women agreed that inner beauty was more important than physical beauty.

The survey reflected the growing interest in sustainable beauty products and beauty supplements.

5 – Yatsen’s skin care investments offset make-up decline

Yatsen Holdings has managed to achieve growth in 2021 thanks to investments in skin care​, which helped to offset the soft demand for colour cosmetics.

The decrease was attributable primarily to the decrease in sales from its colour cosmetics brands.

"The fourth quarter was a challenging quarter, marked by soft consumer demand and intense competition in the colour cosmetics segment,” said Huang Jinfeng, the founder, chairman and CEO of Yatsen.

However, it was partially offset by the 327.7% increase in total net revenue from its skin care brands.