East Asia

Inside out beauty: NZ’s Me Today prepares to launch into 22 Biople stores in Japan following Ireland expansion

19-Oct-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

New Zealand supplements and skin care brand Me Today is preparing to launch into 22 Biople stores in Japan next month, following the recent expansion into Irish pharmacies.

From the ground up: LG H&H signs deal to upcycle coffee grounds for its cosmetic products

18-Oct-2021 By Amanda Lim

South Korea’s LG Household & Health Care is collaborating with an upcycling start-up to explore how to recycle discarded coffee grounds as raw materials for its cosmetics products.

Could tomato seed extracts be a solution for younger skin?

15-Oct-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Saponins from tomato seeds may improve skin elasticity in healthy women, says a new study from Japanese researchers that could open up opportunities in anti-wrinkle or anti-aging formulations.

A ‘strong comeback’ to travel retail: L’Oréal debuts Valentino Beauty in Dubai and Seoul

12-Oct-2021 By Kacey Culliney

L’Oréal couture brand Valentino has launched its first makeup collection in Dubai and Seoul airports, laying the path for a strong return to beauty travel retail for the conglomerate, an executive says.

‘Little by little’: Intricate local knowledge helping China’s homegrown beauty brands chip away at MNC dominance

12-Oct-2021 By Amanda Lim

International beauty companies are in danger of losing market share to China’s homegrown beauty brands that are more in tune with the needs and concerns of the varying demographics that make up the vast Chinese market, according to an industry analyst.

Just peachy: Amorepacific files patent on sebum inhibiting peach sprout and peony extract

11-Oct-2021 By Amanda Lim

Korean cosmetic company Amorepacific has developed an active ingredient with extracts from peach sprouts and peonies, which it claims is effective in inhibiting and regulating the secretion of sebum on the skin.

Efficient cleansing: LG H&H files patent for easy-to-remove make-up base made from biocellulose

06-Oct-2021 By Amanda Lim

LG Household & Healthcare has filed a patent for cosmetic composition with a biocellulose base that facilitates the quick removal of make-up without oil-based removers.

‘Emerging powerhouse’: Gen Z and millennial insights key to Amorepacific taking 38.4% stake in COSRX

06-Oct-2021 By Amanda Lim

Knowledge of the Gen Z and millennial consumer combined with a burgeoning global reputation are two of the reasons Korean major Amorepacific has taken a 38.4% stake in cult K-beauty brand COSRX, as it looks to expand its own footprint overseas.

Stepping up: Lillycover to expand into hair care and make-up this year following $4m fundraise

30-Sep-2021 By Amanda Lim

Seoul-based personalised beauty start-up Lillycover has announced plans to launch personalised scalp and make-up products this year after raising U$4m in Series A funding.

Beauty and mental health: Reduced cosmetic habits during COVID-19 lead to increased irritability, stress

29-Sep-2021 By Amanda Lim

Researchers have found that not performing adequate cosmetic care of skin, hair, and could have significant negative psychological impacts amid the pandemic.

China expansion: SENSAI leads with e-commerce strategy to accelerate growth of brand awareness

23-Sep-2021 By Amanda Lim

Luxury skin care brand SENSAI has launched a Tmall flagship store as part of its e-commerce-led strategy to accelerate the brand’s presence in the competitive Chinese market.

Duty-free haven: Can beauty expect long-term growth in Hainan when international travel resumes post-COVID?

23-Sep-2021 By Amanda Lim

China’s Hainan Island prospered as domestic travel boomed in wake of COVID-19, triggering staggering growth for luxury beauty brands on the island. But is Hainan’s remarkable growth here to stay when international travel takes flight again?

Mask-proof lip gloss? Maquillage launches new transfer-resistant product featuring Shiseido’s latest tech

22-Sep-2021 By Amanda Lim

Shiseido-owned make-up brand Maquillage has launched a new lip product featuring new technology that makes it transfer resistant despite its glossy finish.

Strength in skin care: China’s media crackdown on ‘sissy idols’ unlikely to have large effect on robust men’s category

22-Sep-2021 By Amanda Lim

Awareness on the importance of skin care among men is likely to protect the male beauty category from the recent media crackdown China has mandated against those who do not fit into the masculine stereotype.

Global potential: POLA expecting overseas sales to surpass $270m by 2023 on the back of China demand

21-Sep-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese skincare brand POLA has been projected to achieve more than $270m in overseas sales in the next couple of years thanks to the strong demand from China’s luxury beauty market.