Top 10s: For Beloved One, EVERSOFT, 3CE and other most-read stories from Sep
We highlight the top 10 stories of Sep 2025, including brands like For Beloved One, EVERSOFT and 3CE, trend and investment news, latest research findings, and more.
Business & financial
Terra Oleo raises $3.1m to develop sustainable, scalable palm oil alternatives
Singapore biotech start-up Terra Oleo is embarking on its next phase of developing sustainable and scalable lipid ingredients for applications across industries, including cosmetics, after raising $3.1m.
Suntory’s KIZEN eyes growing men’s skin care market in US
Suntory-owned men’s skin care brand KIZEN seeks to answer the rising demand among US male consumers for skin care that delivers “maximum impact with minimal effort”.
Halal beauty to reach $118bn by 2028 amid GCC funding and anti-fake push - report
The halal beauty market is driven primarily by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) investment, China supply chains, and anti-counterfeit efforts, according to a new report.
SM Group meets growing demand for health and wellness with extensive retail network
Filipino conglomerate SM Group is addressing the growing consumer demand for beauty and wellness products through its retail subsidiaries, including Watsons Philippines.
Across the CD-Verse: September 2025
This month’s roundup of CosmeticsDesign’s global coverage includes an in-depth look at scientific developments, sustainable innovation, and notable brand launches.
Beauty brands increasingly leveraging travel retail as channel of growth
Amsterdam-headquartered Rituals is among beauty brands that are increasingly leveraging travel retail and forming strategic partnerships in this sector as a pillar of growth.
Face lift: Kao refreshes cosmetics business strategy to push growth, build resilience
Japanese cosmetics giant Kao looks to bolster profitability and long-term growth by focusing resources on six brands, while building a more resilient business structure.
Shiseido Travel Retail to expand cross-industry collaboration following popular roll-out
Shiseido Travel Retail looks to build on its strategic cross-industry partnerships, on the back of a well-received campaign centred around sun care brand ANESSA in Thailand.
Financial focus: Yatsen, LG H&H, Amorepacific and more in our beauty business update
Our round-up of business updates in the Asia-Pacific cosmetics industry highlights developments from Torriden, Anua, Yatsen, MINISO, LG H&H, and Amorepacific.
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.
Torriden officially enters Sephora US, Anua cements brick-and-mortar presence in UK
South Korean skin care brands Torriden has officially launched in Sephora US, while Anua is cementing its presence in the UK through a rapid increase in brick-and-mortar locations.
Yatsen fuelled by colour cosmetics’ growth, skin care’s continued strong performance
Yatsen Holding’s latest quarterly results show increases in both total net revenues and gross profit, which is said to be fuelled by colour cosmetics’ return to growth and skin care’s maintenance of strong performance.
MINISO builds IP ecosystem via dual-strategy to meet demand for interest-driven consumption
Chinese retail giant MINISO is building an IP ecosystem through a dual-strategy to meet the increasing demand for interest-driven consumption.
LG H&H’s Q2 profit drops due to market competition, domestic business restructuring
LG Household & Health Care (LG H&H)’s beauty division saw a decrease in sales and operating profit in the second quarter of 2025, which it says is caused by intensifying market competition and domestic business restructuring.
JOOCYEE capitalises on shifting perception of C-beauty in SEA with Singapore flagship
JOOCYEE’s opening of its first flagship store outside of China signals the changing consumer perception and growing popularity of C-beauty in South East Asia.
ImmVira eyes bigger opportunities following INCI designation of engineered exosomes
Chinese biotech company ImmVira’s engineered exosomes for hair growth and localised fat reduction have recently secured INCI designation, which it says would enable it to seize opportunities in the ageing market.
Amorepacific’s flagship brands drive strong sales, profit in local and global markets
Amorepacific has reported increases in sales and operating profit across domestic and international markets in the second quarter of 2025, attributing them to the strong performance of its flagship brands and core products.
GS25 launches AI personal colour device to fortify one-stop beauty platform positioning
GS25 is introducing an AI device that provides personal colour analysis and product recommendations, in a bid to establish itself as a one-stop beauty platform.
AESTURA’s entry into Oceania looks to fill gap for dermocosmetics
Amorepacific-owned skin care brand AESTURA will be exclusively launching at Sephora Australia and New Zealand in August, amid a gap and rising demand for dermocosmetics.
K-beauty gaining ground in Western markets through retail partnerships, activations
South Korean beauty brands are increasingly making a mark in the Western markets through retail partnerships and experiential activations.
Chantecaille enters India market via partnership with LUXASIA
Prestige cosmetics brand Chantecaille is collaborating with Asia-Pacific’s leading luxury beauty distributor LUXASIA to set foot into the Indian market.
Financial focus: Lotus Herbals, Garnier, Kao and more in our beauty business update
Our round-up of beauty business updates in the Asia-Pacific cosmetics industry highlights developments from Lotus Herbals, Garnier, Cosmax, Kao, and foamgle.
Beauty meets racing: Elemis looks to extend ‘pit-stop treatments’ to retail spaces
Elemis is among various beauty brands that are tapping into an emerging pool of female motorsport fans, and it looks to extend its “pit-stop treatments” to other retail channels.
Mane Kancor places focus on personal care, drives growth with anti-dandruff innovation
India-headquartered ingredients firm Mane Kancor looks to expand its footprint in the personal care sector, with its latest anti-dandruff ingredient poised to spur growth.
INSiTU partners with facial acupuncture clinic amid growing interest in post-treatment care
Japanese skin care brand INSiTU is partnering with a cosmetic acupuncture and moxibustion clinic to retail its products, amid growing interest in post-treatment home care.
Across the CD-Verse: June 2025
Innovation, acquisition, and regulation defined the beauty business this month across all regions.
Lotus Herbals sets foot in derma skin care space, adopts multi-pronged strategy
Indian beauty company Lotus Herbals recently unveiled its new dermaceutical skin care brand, whose products are co-developed with dermatologists, as it takes up a multi-pronged retail and marketing strategy.
Game face on: Garnier taps into e-sports space to capture male skin care market
Garnier has tapped into the e-sports and gaming space to capture the male beauty market, with products and activations specifically targeting this consumer group.
Cosmax to continue investing into localisation on the back of strong growth in SEA
Cosmax’s growth strategy for South East Asia includes three main axes of broadening sales channels, strengthening market penetration, and expanding business areas, with localisation playing a major role in each.
CU debuts tattoo kiosk to break out from conventional convenience store offerings
South Korean convenience store chain CU has installed tattoo kiosks at two high-traffic locations to capture the trend of self-expression through body art and to diversify its offerings beyond traditional products.
Financial focus: GS25, RAAIE, JUNGSAEMMOOL and more in our beauty business update
Our round-up of beauty business updates in the Asia-Pacific cosmetics industry highlights developments from GS25, RAAIE, JUNGSAEMMOOL, and more.
Oral care brand foamgle kicks off global expansion following US OTC registration
South Korea’s foamgle is making first foray into overseas markets after completing the US FDA OTC (over-the-counter) registration for its dual-function oral care product.
Kao moves to raise KATE’s global presence and sales revenue
Kao Corporation-owned makeup brand KATE is set to roll out several campaigns and collaborations as part of a broader strategy to accelerate global growth, particularly across Asia.
GS25 launches new makeup line amid intense competition for convenient, cost-effective cosmetics
South Korean convenience store chain GS25 has pushed out a new makeup line, as consumer demand and competition for “cost-effective cosmetics” intensify.
Across the CD-Verse: May 2025
Compliance and consumer trust emerged as key themes in the global beauty market this month, amid growing pressure to clarify claims, tighten sourcing, and prevent the sale of counterfeit goods.
ANZ focus: Latest developments in Oceania’s beauty market
This round-up highlights recent developments in Australia and New Zealand’s beauty market, including news from Aēsop, RAAIE, Sephora, Prime Skin, and Native Extracts.
Shampoo sensation: South Korea’s Grabity continues sold-out streak with Taiwan launch
South Korean hair care brand Grabity has launched in Taiwan with a sold-out debut on a live-selling broadcast.
UIQ to build on gains in Japan and US through sales channel expansion, SocMed marketing
South Korean skin care brand UIQ aims to build on its “successful debut” in Japan and the US through sales channel expansion and strengthening its social media marketing efforts.
RAAIE touts first NZ skin care brand to enter Sephora Oceania amid active global expansion
RAAIE says it is the first New Zealand skin care brand to launch in Sephora Oceania, as it actively seeks opportunities to expand into markets around the world.
JUNGSAEMMOOL to continue market and portfolio expansion on the back of Singapore gains
K-beauty brand JUNGSAEMMOOL looks to continue its global expansion and broadening its product offerings to “better reflect” the diversity of international consumers.
Sephora boosts APAC portfolio with Haus Labs by Lady Gaga launch in SEA, Oceania and HK
Sephora is strengthening its prestige beauty offerings in Asia-Pacific with the launch of Haus Labs by Lady Gaga in South East Asia, Oceania, and Hong Kong.
‘Premium yet accessible’: HANYUL debuts local bestsellers in the US via Sephora
Amorepacific-owned skin care brand HANYUL is entering the US via a partnership with Sephora, with the aim of extending the reach of products that have been well-received in the domestic market.
China’s most valuable beauty brands revealed for 2025
Chinese cosmetics brands have experienced a 14% dip in year-on-year brand value, according to new data.
CHANEL Fragrance & Beauty expands footprint in India with Nykaa launch
French luxury fashion house CHANEL’s fragrance and beauty business is expanding its footprint in India via a recent launch on Nykaa’s online and offline channels.
Sunscreen stockpile: K-beauty expected to stay competitive in US despite price hike fears
South Korea-made sunscreens are among the imported products that US consumers have been stockpiling since the Trump tariffs were announced, but K-beauty is expected to retain its competitive edge in the market even with price hikes.
How beauty brands can leverage social commerce as TikTok fuels sales
Asia is at the forefront of the social commerce trend, and beauty brands need to adapt as social media platforms replace search engines for product discovery.
FaceAnne aims to meet needs of Malaysian consumers through ‘cooling’ skin care
Malaysian skin care brand FaceAnne has recently debuted in the local market with products that cater specifically to the needs of Malaysian consumers, including formulations with a cooling effect for the hot climate.
SkinCeuticals enters Singapore’s travel retail, debuts anti-ageing face cream
Luxury skin care brand SkinCeuticals recently debuted in Singapore’s travel retail scene via The Shilla Duty Free, through which it aims to address the evolving needs of modern travellers.
JOY GROUP reaches 36% revenue growth in 2024 fuelled by portfolio expansion, omnichannel strategy
Chinese beauty company JOY GROUP achieved 36% revenue growth in 2024, which it has attributed to its brand portfolio expansion and reinforced omnichannel strategy.