East Asia

Back with a vengeance: New data reveals top emerging beauty trends as ‘revenge spending’ soars in Japan

27-Jun-2022 By Amanda Lim

Coloured brows, K-beauty, sustainability, and genderless cosmetics are among the top trends to keep an eye on in Japan as beauty consumers embark on revenge shopping sprees, according to new data.

Filling a grey space: K-beauty giants see mega demand for shampoos that conceal grey hairs and prevent hair loss

22-Jun-2022 By Amanda Lim

South Korean cosmetic titans Amorepacific and LG Household & Healthcare (LG H&H) have both recently launched shampoos that can conceal grey hairs to great success, signalling a huge demand for anti-ageing hair care products.

‘Half a step ahead’: FIVEISM x THREE outlines post-COVID market expansion plans to tap into growing men’s beauty market

17-Jun-2022 By Amanda Lim

Genderless make-up brand FIVEISM x THREE is embarking on an overseas expansion as the COVID-19 situation abates, with new markets including Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan on its cards.

K-beauty vs eco: Cosmetics industry most significantly impacted sector by post-pandemic demand for greener products

14-Jun-2022 By Amanda Lim

A new survey by Korea International Trade Association (KITA) has revealed that South Korea’s cosmetics industry was the most significantly impacted sector by the post-pandemic demand for eco-conscious products.

New horizons: EZZ Life eyes opportunity to grow business two-fold on the back of new beauty business

08-Jun-2022 By Amanda Lim

Australian healthcare company EZZ Life Science Holdings has entered the beauty and personal care space with a new hair care range which it hopes can help double its business in the next couple of years.

Summer essentials: Warm weather driving sales of spray-type sunscreens and humidity-proof hair styling in Japan

08-Jun-2022 By Amanda Lim

The arrival of summer is heralding the demand for spray-type sunscreens and humidity-proof hair styling products in Japan, according to new data.

K-beauty brand Dear Dahlia eyeing major expansion in the Middle East to capture luxury beauty opportunities

07-Jun-2022 By Amanda Lim

Luxury vegan beauty brand Dear Dahlia from South Korea is set on expanding its presence in the Middle East, with new markets including Egypt, Kuwait, and Bahrain on the cards for this year.

Kosé pushing forward with Decorté expansion in ‘worrisome’ China market

01-Jun-2022 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetics company Kosé Corporation is pushing ahead with the expansion of its ‘high-prestige’ brand Decorté in China despite tough market conditions.

A perfect plan? Yatsen hinges bets on Douyin and offline retail to ‘ease sales decline’ of Perfect Diary

31-May-2022 By Amanda Lim

Chinese cosmetics company Yatsen Holdings is moving to help flagship make-up brand Perfect Diary recover from its recent decline amid the sluggishness of the colour cosmetics market in China.

Smells like opportunity: Coty counting on Gen Zs to drive fragrance growth in China

30-May-2022 By Amanda Lim

American multinational beauty company Coty Inc. is anticipating a ‘huge jump’ in fragrance consumption in China driven by Gen Z consumers.

China green beauty: Celebrity endorsements increases purchase intent among youth

27-May-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Celebrity endorsements are playing a crucial role in the development of China’s green beauty space, according to a new study.

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

26-May-2022 By Amanda Lim

We round up the most recent developments in the exciting Chinese beauty market, featuring news from Estée Lauder, Florasis, and more.

Hyper-personalisation: CJ OnStyle launches personalised shampoo developed with Cosmax

25-May-2022 By Amanda Lim

South Korean firm CJ OnStyle has launched a new personalised beauty brand with a bespoke shampoo it developed in collaboration with K-beauty ODM giant Cosmax.

Beauty with beans: Face masks containing selenium-enriched mung bean broth aid skin whitening, anti-ageing

25-May-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Face masks containing a mung bean and selenium fermentation broth could promote skin whitening, moisturising and antioxidant effects, according to a recent study.

COVID-19 impact: How the pandemic has changed Korean millennials, Gen Z beauty attitudes – review

18-May-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

The beauty needs and shopping habits of Korean millennials have undergone a significant shift on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a systematic review by researchers.

No doubt: Estée Lauder CEO remains ‘enthusiastic’ about China despite growing concerns

18-May-2022 By Amanda Lim

The CEO of the Estée Lauder Companies has underlined his strong conviction in China’s beauty market despite a recent dip in performance and fears related to an economic recession.

Microbiome-friendly clothes: COSMAX set to commercialise ‘wearable cosmetics’ with anti-ageing ingredient

11-May-2022 By Amanda Lim

Cosmetics ODM major COSMAX has plans to develop and commercialise fabric that is imbued with Strain CX, an anti-ageing microbiome ingredient it developed in 2019.

Global goals: C-beauty heavyweight Florasis on a quest to rival international titans

09-May-2022 By Amanda Lim

Chinese cosmetics company Florasis is assessing opportunities in the US, Japan and South East Asia as it embarks on its mission to become a global beauty brand.

Hallyu herald: Shopee Korea scores $3m government project to bring K-beauty to Poland

02-May-2022 By Amanda Lim

The South Korean arm of South East Asian e-commerce platform Shopee has inked a deal with the Korean SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) to form a logistics service to facilitate the entry of Korean products to Poland.

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

28-Apr-2022 By Amanda Lim

We round up the most recent developments in the exciting Chinese beauty market, featuring news from Gotha Cosmetics, A.S. Watson and more.

‘The worst is over’: COVID-19 outbreak in HK forces Sa Sa to lose 480 business days in Q4

27-Apr-2022 By Amanda Lim

Hong Kong beauty retailer Sa Sa International says it lost approximately 480 business days over the fifth wave of the pandemic as COVID-19 infections among staff members forced it to shutter its stores.

‘Ready to adopt’: AI skin analysis firm Haut.AI aiming to tap into ‘tech savvy’ Asian market

27-Apr-2022 By Amanda Lim

Estonian beauty technology firm Haut.AI is aiming to expand its AI skin analysis tool in the Asian region, particularly in China, South Korea and Indonesia.

‘A new paradigm of clean beauty’: Amorepacific’s latest brand makes use of upcycled oakwood to create scents

26-Apr-2022 By Amanda Lim

K-beauty major Amorepacific has launched Longtake, a new sustainable clean beauty brand that makes use of upcycled oakwood to create its signature woody scents.

‘Endemic beauty’ sees spring-inspired cosmetics, pollen protection products trending in Japan

21-Apr-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Shades of spring-inspired rouge, lip liners, eyeliners and pollen protection cosmetics are trending in Japan, according to new data.

Gotha Cosmetics makes first major step into China as it sets sights on Asian expansion

14-Apr-2022 By Amanda Lim

Gotha Cosmetics has set up local production in China, where it believes it can tap into the post-COVID growth potential of the market while lessening the burden of rising shipping costs and delivery lead times.

Kao launches waterless dry shampoo sheet first developed for use in space

13-Apr-2022 By Amanda Lim

Japanese personal care major Kao Corporation has launched a pair of dry shampoos under hair care brand Merit in response to the growing demand for dry shampoos that can be used on the go, including a shampoo sheet concept first developed for use in space.

‘Growth is remarkable’: KOTRA highlights untapped opportunities in Laos for Korean skin care in 2022

13-Apr-2022 By Amanda Lim

A new report by the Korean Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) has highlighted untapped opportunities for K-beauty in Laos, particularly for skin care.

Free the curls: India’s Arata sets sights on curly hair care market in India and beyond

11-Apr-2022 By Amanda Lim

Indian personal care brand Arata is aiming to fill what it believes is a huge gap for hair care products designed especially for curly hair types in its home market and in the wider Asian region.

Special Edition: CIRCULAR BEAUTY – SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATION AND FUTURE PROMISE

Kao: ‘Maximising and minimising’ key to zero-waste circular beauty future

07-Apr-2022 By Kacey Culliney

Japanese personal care major Kao Corporation believes achieving a circular society will require a delicate balance of minimising beauty materials and maximising use, with thin-film packaging offering plenty of promise.

Sunny outlook: Korea’s cosmetics industry poised for growth in Q2 – trade report

05-Apr-2022 By Amanda Lim

The Korean cosmetic industry is predicted to grow in the second quarter this year despite the economic uncertainty, according to a new report by the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

Quick commerce: Sa Sa HK can now fulfil delivery orders in as little as 10 minutes

04-Apr-2022 By Amanda Lim

Beauty retailer Sa Sa International has begun on-demand delivery services in partnership with foodpanda in Hong Kong.

Retinol relief: New study highlights how skin irritation could be relieved

01-Apr-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

A new study has highlighted how formulators could produce anti-ageing products without the trouble of skin irritation caused by retinol.

Blind spots: Lion Corp survey finds gap between awareness and practice of hand washing

31-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

A new survey conducted by Japanese personal care company Lion Corporation has revealed ‘blind spots’ in handwashing behaviour.

China focus: Latest developments from Beiersdorf, Yatsen and more

24-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

We round up the most recent developments in China’s booming beauty market, featuring regulation news as well as business updates from Beiersdorf, Yatsen and more.

China’s make-up boom over? Market headed for slow yet sustainable growth – Yatsen CEO

23-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

Yatsen Holdings CEO believes the rapid growth of the colour cosmetics category in China is over and predicts the market will see slower yet more sustainable growth rates in the future.

Shiseido, Kao and Lion show solidarity with Ukraine amid intensifying conflict with Russia

22-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

A trio of Japanese cosmetics companies – Shiseido, Kao and Lion – have stepped up to aid relief efforts in Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing attacks on the country.

Skin data bank: Kao and istyle to collaborate on skin RNA database by 2023

22-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

Japanese personal care major Kao is partnering with beauty media and retail firm istyle to build a skin RNA database by 2023 with the sebum RNA testing technology it developed.

Not a stamp of approval: China's Little Golden Shield not an endorsement of kids’ cosmetics - regulator

16-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

China’s food and drug regulator has clarified that its newly introduced children’s cosmetics mark, the Little Golden Shield, is not meant to be an assurance of product quality and safety.

Herbal booster: Review suggests probiotics could help to improve effect of TCM ingredients

16-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

Probiotics could improve the effects of traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients such as red ginseng, while also reducing potential side effects in cosmetic products.

‘Facelift’ the future of cosmetics? Study identifies pigmentation-related genes in Korean women

15-Mar-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

A team of researchers has discovered genes involved with pigmentation in the skin of over 17,000 Korean women, with insights opening up new opportunities for customised products.

Customise me: Amorepacific launches new personalised sensitive skin care brand

15-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

South Korean beauty conglomerate Amorepacific has announced the launch of a new personalised skin care brand for sensitive skin that offers consumers private one-on-one after-sales consultation services.

Not so perfect: Yatsen’s skin care investments offset make-up decline

15-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

Yatsen Holdings has managed to achieve growth in 2021 thanks to investments in skin care, which helped to offset the soft demand for colour cosmetics.

‘Significant growth potential’: Beiersdorf eyeing opportunities to win over the China skin care market

09-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

German consumer goods major Beiersdorf is gearing up to expand its business in China through Nivea and Eucerin, which it believes have the potential to have as much success as its luxury brand La Prairie.

Smooth operator: Kao’s fine fibre tech able to smoothen appearance of skin when applied under make-up

08-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

Kao Corporation has conducted a new study on the colour cosmetics application of its fine fibre technology, confirming that is able to smoothen the appearance of skin naturally when applied all over the skin under make-up.

Centennial goals: Pola Orbis aims to achieve at least $2.4bn in beauty sales for 100th anniversary

08-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

Japanese personal care conglomerate Pola Orbis Holdings has set a target for its cosmetics business to achieve at least JPY280bn (U$2.4bn) in sales by 2029, the year it celebrates its centennial.

‘High-prestige’: Kosé aiming to capture China’s travel retail market with skin care brand Decorté

02-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

Japan’s Kosé Corporation is focusing investments into China’s travel retail market, namely in Hainan Island, where it hopes to boost its high-end skin care brand Decorté.

Vegan therapy: The Face Shop introduces first vegan skin care line with eco-conscious packaging

01-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

K-beauty brand The Face Shop has introduced its first vegan-certified skin care line which features eco-conscious refillable packaging to reduce the use of single-use plastic.

L’Oréal on how luxury fragrance growth is being driven by ‘explosion’ of interest in China

01-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

French beauty giant L’Oréal Group has credited the boom in luxury fragrance to the growing appreciation among Chinese consumers and expects it to continue growing by double-digits in the years to come.