Skin Care

ACCC finds no foundation in complaint against sunscreen companies

04-Dec-2013 By Chris BARKER

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has rejected complaints by environmental groups against the marketing of two companies’ sunscreen as “nano-free.”

Oriflame warehouse fire will affect service in 2014

04-Dec-2013 By Chris BARKER

A fire which destroyed one of Oriflame’s main warehouses in the vicinity of New Delhi is likely to have an effect on service levels in India in 2013 and the first quarter of 2014, according to the company.

Korean cosmetics continues success on AP markets

04-Dec-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

As Korean cosmetics brands continue to see success on their neighbouring AP markets, factors such as affordability and an ever expanding male grooming segment are found to be the key driving forces.

DTAB recommends ban on importing animal-tested cosmetics

03-Dec-2013 By Chris BARKER

The Indian Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) has recommended an import ban on cosmetics which have been tested on animals, according to animal rights organization Humane Society International.

Active ingredient dosage so important in anti-aging says biotech firm

02-Dec-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

You can have the most revolutionary ingredient on the market but it is the dosage that can be the most crucial thing, according to a skin care expert.

AmorePacific reports sales increase, profit slump

28-Nov-2013 By Chris BARKER

South Korean cosmetics company AmorePacific has reported a decrease in Q3 profits as a result of poor overseas markets and investment and marketing activities for new products.

Another pharma giant targets India derma-cosmetic brands

28-Nov-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

Italian pharmaceutical conglomerate Menarini is buying out an established derma-cosmetics product portfolio in an effort to strengthen its operations across various industries in India.  

Skin whitening update: Kanebo denies postponing legal plea

27-Nov-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

According to Japanese media reports, Kanebo has requested the courts dismiss consumer claims that its’ skin whitening products has caused damages.

L’Oreal India predicts double digit profit increase for 2014

26-Nov-2013 By Chris BARKER

According to a report by Indian paper The Economic Times, L’Oreal India has predicted 'double-digit' turnover increase for 2013, which would put the company slightly behind its results for 2012.

Japanese ingredient takes off in US BFW products

25-Nov-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

A plant-based compound with a long history in Japanese cosmetic formulations is now gaining popularity on the US markets as the West starts to recognise its efficacious properties. 

Guest Blog

Future Beauty Trends: Finding the right target

25-Nov-2013 By Imogen Matthews

The recent Beauty Futures Forum conducted by trends forecasting agency 'The Future Laboratory' identified what we can expect next in terms of original concepts and different ways of targeting beauty consumers post-recession. Here, our expert...

Could 'escargot' facials have a knock on effect on cosmetic demand?

21-Nov-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

A Tokyo spa specializing in ‘celeb escargot’ facials is offering consumers access to a higher concentration of snail mucus which may see cosmetic products with smaller amounts of the extract left on the shelf.

Japanese health and beauty sales beat recession downturn

21-Nov-2013 By Chris BARKER

Health and beauty shops in Japan have avoided the country’s general economic malaise to post respectable growth from 2007-2012, according to statistics from Euromonitor and the Global Retail Theft Barometer for 2012-2013.

Ground-breaking anti-aging discovery from Antarctic fish gets L’Oréal excited

20-Nov-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Vancouver-based biotech firm Sirona Biochem has developed its latest secret to anti-aging from an unexpected place – Antarctic fish; and cosmetics companies are keen to adopt the new technology.

L’Oréal turns attention to testing alternatives in China as it ramps up regional business

20-Nov-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

As the biggest cosmetics company in the world, and one of the most active in China, with new plans announced to ramp up operations further, L’Oréal has come under scrutiny over its stance of doing business in a country that requires animal testing on...

Men’s grooming opportunity for ingredient suppliers could see further growth

20-Nov-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Men’s grooming products are becoming more sophisticated than ever before, meaning that manufacturers must find suitable ingredients for easy incorporation, leading to host of new concepts introduced by suppliers.

Asia in Focus

Asian formulators up their game with multifunctional face masks

14-Nov-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

Who knew the popularity potential of a face mask? Well not just any old face mask, but the upgraded Asian treatment trend that is promising the equivalent of a concentrated essence in a more affordable way...

Inside track: Regulatory expert explains CFDA non-animal testing decision

14-Nov-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

Yesterday, Cosmetics Design reported on the CFDA’s recent decision to allow some cosmetic companies to bypass animal testing on their products. We spoke to the Chemical Inspection & Regulation Service in China to break down the specifics of the adjusted guidelines.

New Delhi implements differentiation to determine cosmetics levy excise duties

05-Nov-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

The Supreme Court in New Delhi has implemented a "cure or care" differentiation to separate medicinal products from cosmetics in a bid to avoid confusion as to when suppliers will need to pay a levy of central excise duties.  

Nu Skin makes further investment as Operation China ramps up

30-Oct-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Having announced plans to invest more in China and with sales booming in the region, as per its financial results released earlier in the month, Nu Skin will now look to finish the building of its Innovation Park in Shanghai.

Unilever brand apologises for skin whitening campaign in Thailand

29-Oct-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

A Thai subsidiary of cosmetics brand Citra, owned by Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant Unilever, has apologised for a controversial competition asking students to promote its skin whitening product.

Oriflame further invests in stem cell technology field

23-Oct-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

The Sweden-based cosmetic company has invested in a new plant that will solely focus on the cultivation of plant stem cell cultures as it further aims to develop stronger anti-ageing ingredients that can boost and rejuvenate the skin.

An insight into anti-ageing: R&D is vital

23-Oct-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Scientific backing is to have a big say in the future growth of the anti-ageing arena as manufacturers look to meet more consumers and create a feeling of trust, according to Datamonitor International Consumer Insights analyst Daniel Bone.

Synthetic tea tree oil puts both cosmetics consumers and genuine suppliers at risk, producer claims

22-Oct-2013 By Simon Pitman

Synthetic and uncertified tea tree oil has been flooding the market for years now, and is cropping up in cosmetic products worldwide causing big problems for both consumers and manufacturers, a leading supplier of the ingredient claims.

Market expert finds cosmetics sector growing, despite China slow-down

22-Oct-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

According to its most recent report on the China cosmetics market, Reportlinker revealed that despite being affected by a slow-down in the economy, the sector has tripled in terms of growth in the last ten years.

Donkey milk cosmetics - crème de la crème for Asian consumers

22-Oct-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

Cleopatra swore by it, bathing daily in asses' milk as part of her beauty regime. Now the spotlight is back on it as Asian cosmetics consumers, particularly those in Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea and China are said to be favouring it in anti-ageing...

Men are ready for colour cosmetics says Future Touch expert

22-Oct-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Whilst many people are still not convinced by men’s cosmetics, Future-Touch founder Antoinette van den Berg believes the market is ready and more willing to accept these products in the future.

L’Oréal paves the way to acquire two brands from Shiseido

18-Oct-2013 By Simon Pitman

L’Oréal has confirmed a draft agreement that will see it acquire the Decléor and Carita professional skin care brands from Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido.

Nu Skin ready to make $200m investment in China

17-Oct-2013 By Simon Pitman

Nu Skin is looking to further grow its already extensive footprint in the China market by making a $200m investment in its manufacturing and logistical operations there.

Gattefossé launches new ingredient targeting blotchy combination skin

16-Oct-2013 By Simon Pitman

France-based active ingredients supplier Gattefossé is targeting the Asia Pacific market with the launch of its new ingredient that focuses on treating blemishes and oily combination skins.

Scientists develop technology that looks deeper at the skin repair system

15-Oct-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

A team of researchers at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois have developed a tool that can visualize cellular-level structural and biomechanical data to provide new insight into complex processes in...

Entering the age of the ‘super sunscreen’: Study highlights protection against cancer

10-Oct-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

A study carried out by researchers in Australia has opened the doors for the development of ‘super sunscreens’ to assist in the repair of sun damaged skin and protect the p53 gene which helps to prevent skin cancer.

Lubrizol ups its Asia focus with new centre in Singapore

10-Oct-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Lubrizol has strengthened its presence in Asia with the opening of its new Innovation Centre in Singapore, which will have a positive impact on its personal care offerings.

Kao reinforces business with research & production divisions

09-Oct-2013

To fortify the Group's cosmetics business, Kao says it will integrate research and production divisions that will specifically support its cosmetics business operations.

L’Oreal still dominating China with 12.4% growth

08-Oct-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

According to the latest market research, L’Oreal remains a domineering force in China’s cosmetics sector as it achieves RMB12.05 billion in 2012, less than 20 years after wading into the country’s then, underdeveloped markets.

Amway consolidates China as its no.1 market

08-Oct-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

When direct sales player Amway made efforts to expand beyond its US markets back in 1995 to crack China, it appears to have been a bold move that has more than paid off, as almost 20 years on, the country provides 90% of its business.

L’Oreal Australia chooses Carat to engage customers digitally

02-Oct-2013 By Chris BARKER

Cosmetics giant L’Oreal Australia has revealed that they have chosen Carat for their marketing needs in order to engage customers through both new and old media.

Asia in Focus

Expert highlights the 'power of the travelling Chinese consumer'

02-Oct-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

As the Chinese consumer becomes the number-one luxury spender in the world, our expert reckons US and European prestige brand managers are suddenly paying closer attention to their overseas spending behaviour.

Merck launches new skin care actives

01-Oct-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Ingredients supplier Merck has launched new cosmetics actives and invited CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com down to give us an exclusive insight on the skin care ingredients.

Scientists encourage ‘safer’ rutile form of TiO2 in cosmetics

26-Sep-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Research originating in Torino, Italy is encouraging sunscreen and cosmetics formulators to use the rutile form of titanium dioxide rather than anatase as tests have suggested it is safer.

Indonesia and Thailand among promising markets for professional skin care: Kline

25-Sep-2013 By Katie Nichol

Market researcher Kline has identified seven untapped markets for professional skin care, including South Africa, Thailand and Indonesia, and will be providing expanded coverage of these markets in the 10th edition of its Professional Skin Care Global...

Increased tariffs will see knock-on affect in India cosmetics market

25-Sep-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

The Assam government in north-eastern India has increased VAT on cosmetics from 12.5 to 13.5 per cent, which regional industry experts reckon will trigger a knock on effect in terms of price despite the rise only being that of one per cent.

Croda acquires Sipo to boost emerging market expansion

24-Sep-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Ingredients player Croda has received regulatory approval from Chinese authorities to acquire a majority stake in Sichuan Sipo Chemical, as it looks to boost its presence in Asia and other emerging markets.

Asia in focus

Cosmetic brands see lucrative opps in Korea thanks to surgery demand

17-Sep-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

An increasing demand for facial surgery in South Korea is providing lucrative opportunities for international skin care brands to develop pre-or post-surgery products – if not ranges that could ultimately replace the need for surgery in the long run.

IMAN reveals Asian and Spanish women have similar skin care needs

12-Sep-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

The first multi-ethnic global cosmetic brand has likened Asian, Spanish and African skin tones as being similar and revealed that what most brands don’t realise is each ethnic group is experiencing the same challenges when it comes to cosmetics.

Food for thought… and for skin! Mibelle develops new orange peel active

11-Sep-2013 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Swiss ingredients company Mibelle Biochemistry has developed its latest skin active with moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties derived from the peel of citrus fruits.

BRB invests in Asia-Pacific to support its growth in personal care

10-Sep-2013 By Michelle Yeomans

The silicone producer is the latest to expand its Asian footprint by broadening its Malaysian industrial efforts in a bid to further integrate new ingredients that it reckons the industry is in need of.

Top cosmetics firms guilty of overpackaging in China

09-Sep-2013 By Chris BARKER

Olay, L’Oreal and Nivea have been found guilty of using too much packaging for their products in Chinese markets.

Malaysia’s halal cosmetic market grows by a third

05-Sep-2013 By Chris BARKER

Malaysia’s halal cosmetics exports grew by a third from 2010 to 2012, according to the Muslim organization Industry Development Corporation (HDC).

Kanebo's 'slow' product recall: blame Kao

05-Sep-2013 By Chris BARKER

The Japanese company has been accused of not responding fast enough to skin whitening complaints, however Cosmetics Design spoke to reps that reveal its parent company Kao had to give them the nod first.