Asia in Focus

Skin whitening in India grows

Skin whitening in India gathers pace

By Natasha Spencer

As the Indian skin-whitening market focuses on beauty-enhancing claims around health, David Tyrrell, Global Analyst at Mintel says “brands need to take the ethical high-ground when talking about fairer skin care solutions”.

K-beauty influence only in Korea

Does K-beauty impact remain within Korea?

By Natasha Spencer

As consumer research shows K-beauty’s popularity is not reflected in Thailand, we round up our analysis of the influential Korean trend by looking at how it has reached its current levels of demand in Korea and why these may not be imitated in other countries.

Anti-pollution products at in-cosmetics Asia 2016

What does pollution mean for your skin?

By Natasha Spencer

This is the question in-cosmetics Asia 2016’s New Spotlight On feature will examine when it will display a range of anti-pollution products and the latest innovative ingredients helping to redress the topic.

A look at Shiseido’s developments in Asia in 2016

A look at Shiseido’s developments in Asia in 2016

By Michelle Yeomans

Shiseido has rapidly expanded across the Americas and Europe this year with focused efforts on travel retail, R&D hubs and partnerships with major beauty players. Here though, we’re taking a look at how the Japanese cosmetics player has still managed...

Baby skin care products enjoying boom in China

Baby skin care products enjoying boom in China

By Lucy Whitehouse

Thanks to the relaxing of its historic 'one-child policy' in January this year, China is set to see a boom in its baby and child-specific markets, with baby personal care one of the segments set to lead the charge.

In-cosmetics Korea opens its doors next week!

In-cosmetics Korea opens its doors next week!

By Lucy Whitehouse

In-cosmetics is set to open its doors next week in Korea for the second year running, gathering together the industry in one of the world's leading markets for beauty and personal care innovation.

Lancome shuts stores in Hong Kong amid China tensions

Lancome shuts stores in Hong Kong amid China tensions

By Lucy Whitehouse

Lancome has found itself in the middle of a wave of global scrutiny for its decision to cancel a promotional music concert in Hong Kong, apparently as a result of political pressure from mainland China, and has now taken the step of shutting several of...

Major trends for in-cosmetics Korea revealed

Major trends for in-cosmetics Korea revealed

By Lucy Whitehouse

Industry hot topics of anti-ageing, anti-pollution, halal cosmetics and dominant marketing trends are all top of the agenda for the upcoming in-cosmetics Korea event.

UAE beauty brands target Asia

UAE beauty brands target Asia

By Lucy Whitehouse

United Arab Emirates cosmetics firms are reportedly eyeing up expansion into Asia, with moving into the region proving a hot topic at this week’s Beautyworld Middle East event.

Shiseido's global innovation plan

Shiseido's global innovation plan

By Lucy Whitehouse

Shiseido, Japan-headquartered beauty giant, has announced that its strategy for innovation going forward will be structured around a ‘hub-and-spoke’ system, as it turns towards fully global R&D.

Hong Kong no longer beauty retail hotspot, says Euromonitor

Hong Kong no longer beauty retail hotspot, says Euromonitor

By Lucy Whitehouse

Market research firm Euromonitor has released its latest report on beauty and personal care in Hong Kong, which reveals that the industry has seen steep decline in its growth within the country over the past year.

ASEAN delegation heads to Korea for insight on cosmetics growth

ASEAN delegation heads to Korea for insight on cosmetics growth

By Lucy Whitehouse

Officials from various of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are taking part in a delegation to South Korea this week, in a bid to learn more about the ongoing booming success of the country’s beauty industry.

Unilever Indonesia set to enjoy stronger performance

Unilever Indonesia set to enjoy stronger performance

By Lucy Whitehouse

Personal care giant Unilever has seen its sales slow in Indonesia, but with the domestic market now picking up across the board, commentators suggest the Dove and Axe parent-company’s fortunes are about to turn.

Brush up on Asia's major trends before the New Year rings in!

Brush up on Asia's major trends before the New Year rings in!

What a jam packed year 2015 has been for the industry! Cosmetics Design has been on the road taking note of the latest innovations and discussing the key issues cosmetics makers are facing in Asia.  Here, we’ve condensed all the best bits here for you...

Natural cosmetics have never been so hot in Asia, says trend expert

Asia in Focus

Natural cosmetics have never been so hot in Asia, says trend expert

By Michelle Yeomans

Rising concerns around 'chemical pollution' coupled with an ancestral interest in traditional medicine has seen demand for holistic based or natural cosmetics - a segment that continues to go from strength to strength this year in Asia.

A look at China, Japan and Korea's priorities in skin care

Asia in Focus

A look at China, Japan and Korea's priorities in skin care

By Michelle Yeomans

Consumers in China, Japan and Korea have very different concerns when it comes to skin care. This gallery looks at how priorities differ in those markets and what determines product preference...

Foam, gel and oil textures - Asia's new wave of formulations

Asia in Focus

Foam, gel and oil textures - Asia's new wave of formulations

By Michelle Yeomans

What makes cosmetics exciting today for both Asia's R&D formulators and consumers alike? Well, regional expert Florence Bernardin says layering textures, particularly in skin care products has been providing inspiration as well as the sensorial...

Futuristic beauty devices - like you've never seen!

Asia in Focus

Futuristic beauty devices - like you've never seen!

By Michelle Yeomans

In Asia, massage has been traditionally deep rooted in beauty routines which has given modern day cosmetic players like Chanel, Dior and La Mer, food for thought when developing new age skin care devices for local markets.

A look at China's rare and precious ingredients

Asia in Focus

A look at China's rare and precious ingredients

By Michelle Yeomans

Traditional Chinese medicine includes many rare and highly efficient ingredients, of which their recognized benefits have been transferred from generation to generation. Here, regional expert Florence Bernardin takes a look at 4 of the most famous ingredients...

What’s next from Japan?

The latest product innovations in Japan..

What’s next from Japan?

By Michelle Yeomans

Asia accounts for over 35% of the global natural and organic personal care market, and Japan is one of the major driving forces thanks to a change in consumption attitude. 

Opening the door to Japan...designer trend is out - uniqueness is in!

Asia in Focus - dispatches from Bangkok

Opening the door to Japan...designer trend is out - uniqueness is in!

By Michelle Yeomans

This month we are focusing on Japan, where consumer demand for designer brands from head to toe has shifted to a desire to be unique. Ultimately opening up an infinitive amount of opportunities for cosmetic players...

Red hot competition as placenta businesses jockey for supremacy

Analysis - Japan

Red hot competition as placenta businesses jockey for supremacy

By RJ Whitehead

With more than a quarter of Japan’s population over the age of 60, it is said that country suffers more from the issues of an ageing population than any other country. That’s no doubt why the anti-ageing industry is doing so well.

Fragrance in Asia -  a segment worth investing in?

Asia in Focus

Fragrance in Asia - a segment worth investing in?

By Michelle Yeomans

Although the fragrance category can hold it's own in the West, it's still small business in Asia which our expert says it due to several cultural reasons and warns that whilst there is opportunity to invest, it's not going to be down the...

Time for brands to look outside the box

*Cosmetics Vision Special*

Time for brands to look outside the box

By Andrew MCDOUGALL

When it comes to marketing and advertising, brands need to abandon the pre-existing rules that their categories have, and focus on engaging with the consumer and their needs.