Gold nanoparticles extracted using unripe banana extract show biofilm inhibition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-tyrosinase activities, among other cosmetic benefits.
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.
The cosmetic potential of durian extracts has been highlighted by Thai researchers, who say its benefits span moisturising, whitening and antioxidant effects.
Pandemic-born beauty start-ups Mira and Oupus Organics tackle the next level of business advancement with support from consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble (P&G).
Korean skin care brand Melixir has embarked on a vigorous expansion campaign across Asia via Sephora, while also working on its sustainability initiatives and new products targeting the skin microbiome.
The concept of upcycled ingredients has yet to be fully appreciated in some parts of Asia, particularly in South East Asian countries like Thailand, where consumers tend to link it with lower prices and quality, says one supplier.
Italian cosmetics company Pupa Milano is gearing up to take on the ‘huge potential’ of Asia’s beauty market with a new skin care line and new makeup innovations.
Exclusive insights from Thailand’s beauty players, including Karmart, Dr. Barbara Sturm and G&M Cosmetics, shed light on the unique perspectives of the Thai beauty consumer and reveal the drivers behind one of South East Asia’s most exciting markets.
Singapore-based skin care brand Re:erth has debuted a new serum targeted at men which CEO Shinji Yamasaki believes lowers the barrier for them to start taking care of their skin.
Singapore start-up A Tapir’s Tale says there is a need for ‘more sophisticated formulations’ beyond organic products to address the underserved sensitive baby skin care market.
Singapore-based skin care brand, Kyssva is set to expand its product range with a moisturiser and a serum in the third quarter (Q3) of this year after the success of its maiden launch.
Taiwan-based firm Jerôsse is aiming to grow the share of beauty sales to at least 30% this year on the back of new product developments and its expansion into Singapore and Malaysia.
Modules, a new skin care brand from Singapore, is aiming to make personalised skin care with prescription-level active ingredients accessible for the masses.
The South Korea consumer goods company LG Household & Health Care is aiming to strengthen its luxury beauty brands as well as boost its overseas business as part of plans to drive growth.
Hong Kong cosmetics retailer Sa Sa could leverage its pricing strategies to attract price-sensitive consumers in South East Asia, who are increasingly prudent about spending on cosmetics, says an analyst.
A Japanese skin care brand specialising in developing products with nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is gearing up to expand overseas for the first time, beginning with Singapore.
Singapore solid beauty JOMO Studio says it is determined to change the ‘good product, bad design’ mindset when it comes to sustainable products in APAC.
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has responded to growing concerns on the use of “harmful chemicals” in cosmetics by drafting a proposal to ban 13 types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The Body Shop’s Edelweiss skin care range is moving away from anti-ageing language and instead focuses on the message of building skin resilience to help consumers in their quest to ‘age gracefully’.
Malaysian cosmeceutical brand B&B Labs has updated its signature microbiome complex with prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics and plans to steadily expand it to other products in its range
Japan-based KINS plans to make Singapore its global headquarters as it ventures regionally while building its R&D capabilities and skin data to develop products targeting Asian consumers.
Bali-based Fields of Yarrow doubled down on physical retail experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and was rewarded with its best-performing years, says its founder.
Indian beauty brand Saba Personal Care is hoping that its combination of halal and vegan products will broaden its appeal beyond Muslim consumers and steal a march on the MNCs that are yet to truly exploit such categories.
South East Asian cosmetics brands continue to be influential in the halal beauty space, despite attempts by international firms to gain a bigger slice of the pie, says a leading analyst.
NUME-Lab is seeing a market gap for skin care combining Swiss quality and halal certification, and has detailed expansion plans for Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.
Singaporean fragrance brand Scent by SIX has lauded the customer-centric business model of US multi-brand retailer Showfields in helping tackle challenges such as rising manpower costs to the emergence of the Metaverse.
Health and beauty retailer Watsons is seeking to ease consumer concern over the hygiene of testers by piloting a ‘first of its kind’ makeup exchange programme that it hopes will encourage more purchases.
Singapore indie brand Slow Rituals has detailed plans to expand its self-care product range into hair care, and is targeting local partnerships for more sustainable sourcing, packaging, and distribution.
Indonesia’s Mad for Makeup has detailed how it is in benefiting from its 1,000 plus members’ social club for to aid new product development for its acne-friendly cosmetics, and to deliver additional marketing clout.
Singapore-based Nail Deck has developed a range of breathable halal nail polishes that have found appeal with non-Muslim consumers that seek out clean beauty values.
Singapore start-up Mykílio is hopeful its mushroom-based packaging can find a niche in the luxury beauty space, where it believes it can appeal to the sustainable values of younger consumers especially.
Kosé’s Singapore subsidiary believes the company’s global commitment to develop products and serve consumers regardless of gender, age, and ethnicity will be a boon for the diverse SEA region and countries such as Singapore.
A Philippines-based environmental pressure group is taking its fights against adulterated and potentially harmful cosmetics across the region, after securing a number of notable victories in South East Asia.
The firm behind the artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) features adopted by Japan’s Shiseido and a raft of Indian retailers says personalised experiences are key to give brands and physical stores the edge in an ultra-competitive marketplace.
Sensitive skin brand Suu Balm says the outcomes of its new green initiatives will inform its future plans as it continues on its journey of becoming a company with a cleaner and greener impact.
Personal care major Beiersdorf has extended its joint commitment with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) in Indonesia, aiming to halt deforestation in Borneo and certify 200 smallholders with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) on the...
South East Asia is providing an untapped opportunity for sustainable beauty innovation in the make-up market, claims Dow, with the firm believing colour cosmetics is the ideal category for trialling new ideas.
An emphasis on tech and data is crucial for indie fragrance brands to become trendsetters in the increasingly saturated niche market, claims a Singapore start-up that is tapping AI and social media research.
A 128-year-old Turkish fragrance house is set to expand offline in China in 2023 and is planning to offer its signature bespoke services to cater to the heightened appreciation for “personalisation and craftsmanship”.
Spanish hair care brand Nuggela & Sulé believes the time is ripe to further expand its presence in the Asia Pacific region as demand for products that both care for the hair and scalp increases.
Singapore-based skin care brand Heure, known for its proprietary encapsulation tech, is launching its sophomore range targeting skin pigmentation early next year, after setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beauty major Coty is utilising consumer insights from Chloe’s LazMall launch to fine-tune Hugo BOSS’s debut on the South East Asian e-commerce platform.
Forestwise, a supplier of wild harvest ingredient from the rainforest, is aiming to secure multinational customers from the cosmetics and food industry in order to better support the community.
‘Skintellectual’ Muslim consumers are showing strong interest in multi-purpose products that are dedicated to their specific needs, and moving away from a purely makeup-centred approach, according to market experts.
Singaporean health and beauty retail chain Welcia-BHG says that the introduction of new and exclusive J-beauty brands will give it a leg up in the local market.
A fragrance label from Singapore has released a line of hand sanitisers with prebiotics to keep up with the post-pandemic premiumisation of the hand care category.
Sa Sa Malaysia has recovered to 77.4% of pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the positive impact of the relaxation of pandemic measures that came into effect across the country in April.