‘Yakult for skin’: For Beloved One highlights prestige-calibre, accessibly priced range
Taiwanese skin care brand For Beloved One says that its probiotic-containing range is developed with prestige-level ingredients but remains affordably priced so that consumers can experience visible improvements without overspending.
Its Water Pay Glowing Hydro series is a four-piece line inspired by the growing emphasis within the dermatology and skin care space on the concept of the skin microbiome.
A standout feature of the Water Pay Glowing Hydro Toner is its mist-type sprayer, which avoids direct hand-to-skin contact, thereby protecting the skin’s microbiome balance.
New-gen Winona cream shown to reduce neurovascular hyper-reactivity in sensitive skin
A moisturising cream has demonstrated superior efficacy in alleviating pruritus, erythema, and neurovascular hyper-reactivity in people with sensitive skin, according to a new study in China.
The control cream was Winona Sensitive Moisturising Special Care Cream (first generation), while the experimental cream was a second-generation version of the same product, but with four additional active ingredients: prinsepia utilis Royle polysaccharides, physalis alkekengi calyx extract, salvia miltiorrhiza root extract, and porphyridium cruentum extract.
The study, conducted by researchers Kunming Medical University, found that the experimental cream not only improved skin barrier function but also reduced nerve sensitivity and inflammation — two areas often overlooked in sensitive skin treatments.
Japan study highlights cosmetic and therapeutic potential of multifunctional PEG lipid
A multifunctional ingredient, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 23 glyceryl distearate (GDS-23), has been shown to enhance skin barrier function, moisture retention, and antioxidant activity, according to a new study by researchers at Showa Medical University.
The research found that GDS-23 activated key molecular pathways in skin cells and a three-dimensional epidermal model, leading to higher expression of proteins critical for hydration and structural integrity.
This showed that it was not only a delivery material, but also a skin-supporting agent that could directly promote epidermal health.
Blackstone invests into K-hair giant JUNO on the back of ‘explosive global demand’
Blackstone is investing into South Korean hair giant JUNO as global consumer demand for K-beauty and wellness continues to burgeon.
Although the investment sum was not disclosed, Blackstone told CosmeticsDesign-Asia to take reference from a report on Bloomberg, which mentioned that the company is buying a majority stake in JUNO in a deal valuing the company at about KRW800bn (USD575m).
This highlights an increasing pool of private equity firms looking to capitalise on the persistent growth of K-beauty.
EVERSOFT drops shampoo range targeted at SEA concerns, touts hair care as growth pillar
Singapore’s EVERSOFT has launched its first new shampoo range in five years, which it says is a key area of focus for the brand’s portfolio expansion plans.
Following the release of its Organic Haircare range in 2020, the brand has continuously gathered consumer feedback and studied evolving hair care needs to formulate its newly launched Nature’s Therapy line.
Looking ahead, EVERSOFT is focused on expanding in two directions — building on the Nature’s Therapy range with more targeted solutions for different hair concerns; and growing its personal care portfolio through “indulgent, botanically inspired shower products” that bring a sensorial experience into everyday cleansing.
Torriden officially enters Sephora US, Anua cements brick-and-mortar presence in UK
South Korean skin care brand Torriden officially entered Sephora US in July 2025, with its products now available at more than 400 retail locations and online.
Sephora US carries the DIVE IN collection, including the brand’s best-selling DIVE IN Serum, as well as the BALANCEFUL line targeted at sensitive, acne-prone skin.
At the same time, another K-beauty brand Anua is cementing its presence in the UK through a rapid increase in brick-and-mortar locations.
Following its debut at Boots in October 2024, the brand quickly expanded to 470 stores in March this year. Within nine months, the number of stores has grown more than sixfold to 650 as of July 2025.
‘Good skin’ increasingly seen as marker of health, self-care and wellness
There is an increasing shift in the perception of beauty in Asia, where good skin is no longer just about visual appearances, but also a marker of an individual’s health and level of self-care.
“For centuries, Asian populations have invested in wellness and it’s now showing up in [its connection to] our skin... Especially in Asia, we are seeing this shift in beauty from vanity to functional and ritualistic. Skin is no longer aesthetic, it’s diagnostic.
“In fact, in South Korea and Japan, people who have good skin are respected more as it seems as if they are on top of their game. I’m not saying you have to be free of acne because no one is perfect, but just having healthy skin is seen as a huge marker of health, self-care, and wellness,” Sanjana Balani, founder of India-based Potion Hybrid Skincare, told us.
Serious bees-ness: Honey Biotics to expand Manuka honey-based skin care range
Australian skin care brand Honey Biotics started in 2009 with its hero product Intense Moisturiser, which was designed as a non-steroid repair balm powered by UMF15+ Manuka honey to provide relief for compromised skin.
It is now working on extending the range into everyday essentials with the same therapeutic strength. For instance, a Manuka Body Wash and Lip Balm are currently in development, while the brand is also exploring solutions for more specific concerns like scalp psoriasis.
The pipeline is aimed at making high-performance, natural products accessible for everyone, be it daily care or targeted treatment.
Peony root extract a novel approach to brightening, anti-ageing skin care: Japan study
New research has identified peony root extract (PRE) as a multifunctional cosmetic ingredient that can inhibit the interaction between advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE).
The study, conducted at Ichimaru Pharcos Co Ltd in Motosu, Japan, found that PRE not only blocked biochemical pathways linked to dull, uneven skin tone, but also delivered visible improvements in a human clinical trial after two weeks of topical application.
The authors noted that this was the first report to show that PRE could control AGE-RAGE signalling and reduce glycation-related dullness.
3CE ‘democratises’ personal colour trend through AI-powered tool on Shopee
L’Oréal-owned makeup brand 3CE expanded its regional presence this year, with the launch of official stores on Shopee in five markets, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The brand recently introduced an AI-powered personal colour diagnostic tool on Shopee, an innovation that underscores its commitment to bringing Korea’s biggest trends abroad and making personalised beauty accessible to a wide audience, particularly consumers in South East Asia (SEA).
At the same time, the brand has partnered with Shopee, a platform that is driving its growth in SEA, on various online-to-offline (O+O) activations.
