East Asia

‘Second nature’: UK-based, Beijing-born twins taking on major brands in China’s male beauty category

25-Mar-2021 By Amanda Lim

UK-based male beauty brand Shakeup Cosmetics sees ‘huge potential’ for the brand in China where it is going toe-to-toe with heavyweight brands like Chanel and Tom Ford.

Men’s beauty habits: Age a key differentiator in cosmetic use among Japanese men - survey

10-Mar-2021 By Amanda Lim

Age appears to be a key differentiator for the use of cosmetics among Japanese men, with colour products finding favour with those in their 20s or below, while eye creams are looking strong for those in their 30s, according to a new survey.

Coronavirus crackdown: Japan’s consumer chiefs warn against labelling foods and health products with false COVID-19 claims

10-Mar-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Japan Consumer Affairs Agency (CCA) is warning general food and health food manufacturers against labelling their products as being effective in preventing or treating COVID-19, to avoid consumer misunderstanding and harming public health.

Layer of defence: Kao confirms fine fibre tech’s protective abilities against pollution and mask irritation

01-Mar-2021 By Amanda Lim

Kao has conducted new research into its fine fibre technology and confirmed its ability to protect the skin against pollution and mask irritation.

Clean beauty in China: Can influencer Grace Chow help drive awareness of category with new brand?

25-Feb-2021 By Amanda Lim

Consumer awareness of clean beauty in China still lags behind the US and Europe, according to Chinese influencer Grace Chow, who is on a mission to propel education on the back of her new make-up brand.

P&G vice chairman on innovation: ‘Superiority is an opportunity that does not sunset’

23-Feb-2021 By Kacey Culliney

Procter & Gamble will continue to prioritise superior product design, packaging, and retail execution because it is a far-reaching opportunity that can strengthen long-term competitiveness, says its vice chairman, COO and CFO.

Critical state: Kao must make ‘bold upfront investments’ in digital to secure growth of cosmetics division – CEO

23-Feb-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese personal care major Kao Corporation is prioritising investments in digital technology as part of its plans to radically reform its cosmetics unit which has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘No limit to the growth potential of China’: L’Oréal’s next CEO eyes major opportunities for skin care and hair care

22-Feb-2021 By Amanda Lim

French cosmetics giant L’Oréal continues to see more growth potential in China, especially in its skin care and hair care categories.

Priority travel: Pola Orbis aims to gain foothold in China travel retail to further overall growth

17-Feb-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetics maker Pola Orbis Holdings is doubling down on travel retail to gain share in the Chinese market, which believes is crucial to future growth.

Neck neglect? Dermalogica targets ‘tech neck’ and premature ageing signs with latest serum launch

16-Feb-2021 By Amanda Lim

Cosmeceutical brand Dermalogica has launched Neck Fit Contour Serum to tackle premature ageing in the neck area, which has been exacerbated with the rise of the tech neck phenomenon.

Flower power: Femmue narrows focus on core markets to drive growth after more than doubling sales in 2020

11-Feb-2021 By Amanda Lim

South Korea-based beauty brand Femmue is aiming to reinforce its position in Korea, Japan, the US and UK to maintain 2020’s momentum where it saw sales grow by two and a half times.

Shiseido’s struggles: Japanese giant reports net sales declines in Q4 and 2020 against tough COVID-19 conditions

10-Feb-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetics major Shiseido Company saw its financial performance continue to dip in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 18.6% decrease in net sales and an 86.9% loss in operating profits for the full year of 2020.

Youth potion: CHLITINA’s nanostructured lipid carrier encapsulation tech claims to reduce wrinkles by 31% in six weeks

09-Feb-2021 By Amanda Lim

Taiwanese cosmetics firm CHLITINA’s latest anti-ageing serum was found to reduce wrinkles by 31% and increase skin firmness by 40% in six weeks, according to an independent clinical test.

‘Prestige first’: Shiseido sells off personal care division for $1.5bn to focus on high-end skin care

04-Feb-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetic giant Shiseido Company has announced the decision to sell its low-cost personal care business to CVC Capital Partners in a deal worth 160 billion yen ($1.5bn) in order to focus on its more high-end cosmetic brands.

French exemptions on China animal testing a ‘template for other countries to follow’, says P&G

03-Feb-2021 By Kacey Culliney

The move by France to provide a government platform enabling beauty manufacturers to qualify for exemptions when exporting general-use cosmetics to China should carve out a path for other countries to follow, says a Procter & Gamble executive.