East Asia

How to win over… the rapidly transforming K-beauty market

30-Aug-2023 By Amanda Lim

Here we reveal extensive and exclusive insights from K-beauty insiders Shinsegae, Olive Young, Melixir, Toiletpaper Beauty, and StyleStory, as they shed light on South Korea’s biggest trends and opportunities.

Efficacy over popularity: Korean skin care brand launches first waterless product amid consumer resistance

28-Aug-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Vegreen has launched its first waterless Vitamin C ampoule, believing extensive education on product use and effectiveness is key to overcoming consumer reluctance in the category.

China focus: Latest developments in China’s booming beauty market

24-Aug-2023 By Amanda Lim

We round up the most recent developments in the exciting Chinese beauty market, featuring news updates from La Prairie, L’Oréal, A.S. Watson and more.

Shanghai rolls out new regulations for on-site personalised cosmetics services

23-Aug-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

The Shanghai Municipal Medical Products Administration is aiming to bolster the standardisation of on-site personalised cosmetics services through an updated set of “trial provisions” that will be effective for two years, starting this month.

More than skin deep: Oral probiotics more effective in treating skin disorders – Review

23-Aug-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Chinese researchers say that oral probiotics is a better option than topical probiotics in treating inflammatory skin conditions, as it mediates the intestinal microbiota that in turns help regulate skin health.

Diagou disruptions: La Prairie H1 sales decline attributed to diagou woes in China and Korea

21-Aug-2023 By Amanda Lim

German personal care conglomerate Beiersdorf has blamed the diagou situation in China and South Korea for La Prairie’s 9.9% sales decline in the first half (H1).

K-beauty focus: Trends and innovations from South Korea’s cosmetics market

16-Aug-2023 By Amanda Lim

We round up the most recent developments in K-beauty, featuring Olive Young’s luxe ambitions, novel sun patches, K-beauty export updates and more.

KCA urges improvement to labelling of allergens and pH levels in shampoo bars

16-Aug-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) has advised cosmetics brands to tighten labelling on shampoo bars, after its recent test discovered that some products did not indicate allergenic ingredients or accurately display their acidity levels.

Self-innovation needed: Shiseido’s Japan business ‘at risk’ without major reforms – COO

15-Aug-2023 By Amanda Lim

Shiseido COO says that there needs to be fundamental business model changes to bring Japan back to growth.

Beiersdorf Q2: NIVEA Japan records ‘strongest quarter’ on the back on sun and lip care

14-Aug-2023 By Amanda Lim

German personal care brand NIVEA recorded strong growth in the second quarter (Q2) fuelled by innovation in sun and lip care products, with Japan performing particularly well.

Scent exploration: Pola Orbis launches personalised perfume subscription service

14-Aug-2023 By Amanda Lim

Japanese beauty conglomerate Pola Orbis has launched a monthly subscription service to help consumers find their signature scent through exploration.

At-home alternatives: ANSWR seizes ‘home salon’ beauty opportunity in Asia

09-Aug-2023 By Amanda Lim

CEO of ANSWR Beauty is aiming to expand its vision as a comprehensive ‘home salon’ beauty line to the Asian market.

Strong appetite for beauty: L’Oréal CEO sees ‘clear signs’ of consumption recovery in China

08-Aug-2023 By Amanda Lim

L’Oréal chief says consumer consumption and confidence is improving in China but cautions that the recovery process will be slower than expected.

Growing in Asia: Grown Alchemist furthers Asia expansion with Sephora SEA launch

07-Aug-2023 By Amanda Lim

Aussie skin care brand Grown Alchemist is set to make its South East Asian debut in September through an exclusive partnership with Sephora.

Luxe refresh: CJ Olive Young strengthens premium position with new retail brand

02-Aug-2023 By Amanda Lim

CJ Olive Young is rolling out its new retail brand, Luxe Edit to strengthen its position in the growing premium beauty market.

‘Now is the time’: Florihana targets Korea on the back of increasing demand for naturals in skin care, fragrance

01-Aug-2023 By Amanda Lim

Florihana is pushing to expand in South Korea to tap into the consumer demand for natural fragrances in both skin care and fine fragrances.

Next generation tech: Delivery system innovation key to Dr Ci:Labo’s latest ‘breakthrough’ retinol launches

31-Jul-2023 By Amanda Lim

Japanese derma brand Dr Ci:Labo’s “breakthrough” retinol products have been underpinned by innovations in delivery system technology.

‘Very sparse education’ about skin care in Japan’s medical community – Review

28-Jul-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Healthcare practitioners in Japan have limited knowledge about acne management and more needs to be done to demonstrate the impact of skin care to utilise it as a means of treatment and prevention.

China focus: Latest developments in China’s booming beauty market

27-Jul-2023 By Amanda Lim

We round up the most recent developments in the exciting Chinese beauty market, featuring news updates from Coty, Amorepacific and more.

Road to recovery: Sa Sa Q1 buoyed by return of tourists to HK, Macau

24-Jul-2023 By Amanda Lim

Sa Sa records 53.3% turnover increase in Hong Kong and Macau as more tourists return to its home market in the first quarter (Q1).

K-beauty export strategy: Less dependence on China, greater market diversification – MFDS

24-Jul-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) plans to intensify its market diversification strategies and tap into promising growth in South East Asia and Europe, as China exports dip.

Prickly potential: Antioxidant and antibacterial properties found in prickly pear extract – study

17-Jul-2023 By Si Ying Thian

The cladode and peel extracts of prickly pear show potential in skin care for its skin brightening, antioxidant, and antibacterial benefits, says new research from Taiwan.

Don’t call it a comeback: Behind the resurrection of first-gen K-beauty brands Skinfood, Nature Republic, Etude

17-Jul-2023 By Amanda Lim

First-generation K-beauty brands have navigated their way back to relevancy by banking on brand values, zeroing in on trends and playing on nostalgia, says one expert.

Chlitina develops new brand featuring microbiome-friendly peptide extracted from saliva

14-Jul-2023 By Amanda Lim

Taiwanese beauty company Chlitina has launched a new beauty and personal care brand featuring an exclusive antibacterial peptide extracted from human saliva.

Peptide power: Multi-peptide eye serum improves skin appearance around the eyes

13-Jul-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Using a multi-peptide serum for 28 days helped smoothen skin appearance around the eyes, but participants reported limited impact on fine lines and wrinkles, say Chinese researchers.

Korean red ginseng by-product found to contain anti-ageing properties and protect against UV damage – new study

12-Jul-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Korean red ginseng marc (KRGM) gintonin is a potential candidate to replace synthetic ingredients in anti-ageing and sun protection products due to its ability to reduce cell ageing and improve wound healing, researchers say.

Expanding footprint: Kao aims to raise market share of key global brands via product renewal and flagship stores

12-Jul-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Japanese cosmetics giant Kao Corporation has dedicated resources to strengthen the presence of selected brands worldwide, with premium brand SENSAI leading the way through an upcoming flagship store in Shanghai.

Passing hype or here to stay? Sun patches score domestic success, but overseas opportunities in the balance – K-beauty expert

06-Jul-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

South Korean cosmetics brands such as IOPE and Mediheal have hopped on the bandwagon of sun patches, which have gone viral on social media, although the longevity of its popularity hangs in the balance.

Sunny outlook: Dr. G doubles down on SEA expansion on the back of sunscreen popularity

04-Jul-2023 By Amanda Lim

K-beauty brand Dr. G is continuing to expand in South East Asia with a new store in Malaysia, where its sunscreen range is enjoying significant success.

Pushing the right buttons: Kao relaunches navel care product amid high demand and market gap

04-Jul-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Japanese cosmetics giant Kao has relaunched its patented belly button cleansing product that claims to address the needs of those with navel shapes that are susceptible to dirt accumulation and odour.

China focus: Latest developments in China’s booming beauty market

28-Jun-2023 By Amanda Lim

We round up the most recent developments in the exciting Chinese beauty market, featuring news updates from Coty, Yatsen, Fancl, and more.

‘Convenient beauty’: South Korean delivery app on its Vietnam’s cosmetics venture to diversify offerings

27-Jun-2023 By Si Ying Thian

South Korean delivery app Baemin has taken a leap into the Vietnamese beauty market by launching a skin care and makeup brand, and is capitalising on K-beauty trends to customise products for the needs of local consumers.

‘Magic of Tmall’ not what it used to be: Coty’s Lancaster finds route to success in China with Douyin livestreaming

27-Jun-2023 By Amanda Lim

Coty-owned Lancaster is capitalising on the immense popularity of Douyin and livestreaming, bypassing e-commerce major Tmall.

Japan’s RÉALI de GELÉE RICH addresses gap in men’s skin care with dual-function cleanser and easy-to-follow regime

26-Jun-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Japanese skin care brand RÉALI de GELÉE RICH is aiming to resolve the common concerns of male office workers, after its survey found that less than 10% of respondents use a face wash that meets their needs.

‘From fad to long-term trend’: China grants licence for in-store personalised cosmetics services to L’Oréal, Estée Lauder

26-Jun-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

China’s personalised cosmetics industry has hit a new milestone, with Shanghai leading the way in allowing approved retailers to produce customised products in stores, although challenges in quality and safety management remain to be overcome.

Anti-fatigue focus: HK's Cary launches multifunctional skin care targeting Asian males

21-Jun-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Hong Kong skin care brand Cary believes it has found a significant market gap for tinted skin care products for male consumers.

Silver carp scale collagen found to reduce melanin production – China study

20-Jun-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Silver carp scale collagen peptides (SCPs1) have been shown to reduce melanin production by inhibiting protein expression of cAMP-CREB signalling pathway – demonstrating its potential in skin whitening products.

‘From skin to hair to scalp’: Snow Fox aims to fill the gap for green sensitive scalp care

20-Jun-2023 By Amanda Lim

Sensitive skin brand Snow Fox is working to expand its hair care offerings to meet the need in the market for earth-friendly products that are suitable for sensitive scalps.

Colour rebound: Makeup makes ‘full-fledged revival’ in Japan as consumers drop mask habit – @cosme

19-Jun-2023 By Amanda Lim

Japan’s colour cosmetics market has bounced back fully as consumers ease up on mask habits to fulfil the desire to enjoy makeup, says retailer @cosme.

Laneige launches its first immersive digital experience with virtual store

15-Jun-2023 By Cassandra Stern

The skin care brand partnered with experiential e-commerce platform Obsess to release a digital storefront that features animations, a custom-designed layout of five rooms featuring different products, and a fully interactive experience for consumer engagement.

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