LG H&H to double down on personalised and wearable beauty tech devices following CES win
LG Household & Health Care (LG H&H) is set to double down on its R&D for next-generation beauty tech devices that integrate personalisation and wearability.
East Asia
Astragalus-centella blend shows dual cosmetic, supplement potential: Taiwan study
A new study from Taiwan has reported that a blend of Astragalus membranaceus and Centella asiatica saponins (ACS) improved multiple markers of skin health when used both as a topical cream and as an oral supplement.
Breaking convention: Personalisation takes precedence over trends for LEEKAJA
K-beauty veteran Lee Kaja sheds light on how the perception of beauty, including hair care, has shifted in South Korea, with personalisation becoming an important area of focus.
‘New era of skin longevity’: Amorepacific unveils next-gen personalised beauty tech
South Korean beauty giant Amorepacific has jointly developed a beauty tech system with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which it says goes beyond observation to prediction and management of skin changes.
India focus: Colgate, Sensodyne and Garnier Men feature in this round-up
This round-up highlights new product launches in the Indian market, which underscore the growing importance of oral care and democratisation of beauty for men.
Significant strides: Dr.G, MEDIPEEL, Dr. Althea highlight progress in global expansion
The K-beauty boom is showing no signs of slowing, as Korean skin care brands like Dr.G, MEDIPEEL, and Dr. Althea continue to actively expand their global footprint.
Clariant’s Care Chemicals expands production capabilities in China as part of growth strategy
Clariant’s Care Chemicals recently unveiled its expanded facilities in Daya Bay, China, which it says will play a crucial role in the company’s growth strategy in Asia.
Cosmetics, beauty devices lead APR Corp’s ‘record-breaking’ performance in Q3 2025
South Korean firm APR Corp says that its cosmetics and beauty divisions were key growth drivers for the third quarter of 2025, leading to record-breaking financial results it recently announced.
Chinese study links facial lipid shifts to early skin ageing in women
A new lipidomics study of 151 healthy Chinese women has reported clear, age-linked shifts in facial stratum corneum lipids between ages of 19 and 33 years.
AI autonomy: Kolmar Korea leads government initiative to drive next-gen manufacturing
Kolmar Korea is the only cosmetics company selected to lead an AI project funded by South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR), aimed at driving next-generation manufacturing.
Hot-melt extrusion boosts ferulic acid delivery for skin brightening and repair – study
A South Korean study has presented an eco-friendly way to supercharge ferulic acid in two traditional herbs, Cnidium officinale (CO) and Angelica gigas (AG), using hot-melt extrusion.
Kao identifies biological mechanism behind skin sensitivity, potential way to ease discomfort
Kao Corporation has uncovered a biological reason for sensitive skin often experiencing stinging or burning sensations despite appearing normal, as well as a potential way to ease these symptoms.
Grape cell culture viniferin shows in vitro wound healing and barrier support: study
Researchers in South Korea have reported that ε-viniferin — a compound formed when two resveratrol units join — and an ε-viniferin-enriched extract from grape flower cell cultures can help human skin cells repair themselves.
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”.
Peony root extract a novel approach to brightening, anti-ageing skin care: Japan study
New research from Japan has identified peony root extract as a multifunctional cosmetic ingredient that can inhibit the interaction between advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE), and reduce AGE formation and alleviate skin...
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.
Korean wave: Amorepacific’s profit rise, AESTURA enters Oceania, K-beauty in the West
This round-up highlights the latest news and developments from the South Korean beauty market, featuring Amorepacific’s financial results, AESTURA’s entry into Oceania, K-beauty’s moves in Western markets, and more.
Self-care shampoo: Japanese brand debuts product line specifically for straight hair
Japanese hair care brand unu is releasing a range of products containing ingredients that deliver both internal and external repair, which are specially targeted at straight hair.
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.
Formula containing CICA exosomes shown to deliver multidimensional anti-ageing effects
A study in South Korea found that the two-week application of a formula containing CICA-derived exosomes produced significant improvements in pore characteristics, hydration, dermal density, and wrinkle depth.
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.
Popularity of custom-made fragrances on the rise among male consumers in Japan
Kyoto-based MY ONLY FRAGRANCE has observed a sharp increase in consumers who prefer concocting their own fragrances, particularly among males, as well as shifts in customer mix.
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.
David vs Goliath? K-beauty brand wins copying lawsuit against Olive Young
A Korean court recently ruled in favour of an indie K-beauty brand in a product-copying lawsuit against retail giant Olive Young.
Skin to scalp: COSRX debuts hair care line as Amorepacific advances peptide research
Amorepacific-owned COSRX has launched its first hair care range made using a patented peptide technology, as the company makes progress in hair fortification research.
Fit for summer: Neopharm’s brands introduce new body care catering to seasonal woes
Brands from South Korean cosmetics manufacturer Neopharm are targeting the body care needs of consumers during the summer season through various launches.
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.
Korean wave: Business moves by K-beauty giants, APR Corp on counterfeits and more
This round-up highlights the latest news and developments from the South Korean beauty market, featuring the cost-effective cosmetics trend, APR Corp’s guidelines on counterfeit products, and more.
Fairy chemical AOH shows promise as safe, effective anti-wrinkle ingredient: Mitsubishi-backed study
A new clinical study has confirmed that 2-aza-8-oxohypoxanthine (AOH) can lessen wrinkles by enhancing skin hydration and strengthening the skin barrier, offering cosmetics manufacturers a novel bioactive with measurable anti-ageing effects.
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.
Accessible alternatives: K-beauty majors debut brands, partner budget retailer to capture demand
South Korean beauty companies are actively pushing out new brands with products distributed via budget retailers to ride on the burgeoning “cost-effective cosmetics” trend.
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.
Japanese start-up debuts aging-support supplement made from parsley-derived exosomes
Japanese biotech start-up TIME TRAVELER has launched a supplement targeting the ageing generation and formulated with parsley-derived exosomes, which it claims to be a first in the market.
Shiseido aims to lead anti-ageing market with new-gen ‘slow ageing cycle’ serum
Japanese cosmetics major Shiseido aims to lead the anti-ageing market through an upgraded version of its ULTIMUNE serum, which it says can slow the skin ageing cycle.
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.
APR Corp urges consumers to buy only from official channels as counterfeits spike
South Korean beauty tech firm APR Corp has released guidelines relating to counterfeit products, which it has found to be on the rise, urging consumers to purchase only from official sales channels.
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.
‘Masculine makeup’: WOLG aims to dispel stereotypes, push growth of men’s cosmetics
Japanese brand WOLG seeks to ignite a new trend of “masculine makeup” to dispel stereotypes and boost the growth of men’s cosmetics globally, starting from its local market.
Formula modified from longevity medicine exhibits anti-ageing properties – study
A study funded by LG Household & Health Care (LG H&H) has found an ingredient formulation modified from traditional herbal medicine Gongjin-dan to possess several anti-ageing properties.
‘Alternative to microneedling’: sisua brings spicules-containing lip tint to Japan
South Korean derma cosmetics brand sisua has released a lip tint product containing spicules, which it says is an “natural alternative to microneedling”, in Japan.
Givenchy Beauty releases collagen-focused, anti-ageing skin care range in Japan
French luxury brand Givenchy Beauty is launching a collagen-focused, anti-ageing skin care range, targeted at restoring youthful contours of the face, in Japan.
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.
Fashionable cosmetics: BRAYE brings lip tint with pen-like packaging to Japan
South Korean makeup brand BRAYE recently introduced a lip tint range with pen-like packaging, which it says combines style and convenience, to the Japan market.
Kolmar Korea’s new stabilisation technology overcomes challenges of hybrid sunscreen
Cosmetics ODM company Kolmar Korea has unveiled a new sunscreen technology that overcomes formulation challenges by integrating the strong ultraviolet (UV) protection of inorganic sunscreens with the superior spreadability of organic sunscreens.
Neopharm furthers Japan expansion with Realbarrier, Derma:B brands
Neopharm is accelerating its Japan expansion by growing the presence of its skin care brands Realbarrier and Derma:B across multiple retail channels.
Opening doors: Cosmax, ebay partner to pave K-beauty route into Japan
Cosmax has partnered with eBay Japan to support the entry and growth of South Korea’s indie beauty brands into the Japanese market as it solidifies its global position.
COSCELL capitalises on booming PDRN trend in South Korea with plant-based alternative
South Korean derma beauty brand COSCELL has launched a new product containing plant-based polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), amid growing interest and popularity of the ingredient.
PCHi 2025
Balancing ‘soft power’ of culture key to growth of Chinese beauty brands – Florasis
Chinese beauty brand Florasis says blending the ‘soft power’ of culture with scientific innovation is key for future global growth.
POLA shifts focus to SEA, aims to double retail footprint by 2027
High-end skin care brand POLA will focus on expanding in South East Asia, with plans to double its physical presence regionally as China business falters.