South East Asia

‘Cinderella market’: Pupa eyes growth in Asia on the back of new makeup and skin care innovations

07-Jun-2023 By Amanda Lim

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 in-depth beauty analysis

How to win over… the bold and innovative Thai beauty consumer

06-Jun-2023 By Amanda Lim

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.

Shifting priorities: Ouai hair care observes rising interest in scalp care in SEA

28-Mar-2023 By Amanda Lim

Luxury hair care brand Ouai say opportunities abound in scalp care as interest and awareness of scalp health grows in South East Asia.

From makeup-centred to multifunctional: How halal beauty consumer trends are shifting

29-Nov-2022 By Hui Ling Dang

‘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.

‘Where social commerce can really happen’: What the presence of TikTok Shop in SEA means for beauty and social commerce

01-Aug-2022 By Amanda Lim

The arrival of TikTok Shop in South East Asia could possibly accelerate the regional growth of social commerce and open the region’s beauty brands to a wider international audience.

‘It’s time to shake things up’: Lucas Meyer Cosmetics eyes APAC’s hijabi hair care sector with upcycled active

01-Aug-2022 By Amanda Lim

IFF-owned ingredients maker Lucas Meyer Cosmetics believes its latest upcycled active ingredient can solve major pain points in the hijabi hair care market, especially in the warm and muggy climates of Asia Pacific.

Indie Pioneers Podcast

A ‘testament’ to the virtual age: How to create a fragrance brand from opposite sides of the world

12-Jul-2022 By Amanda Lim

The founders of Myanmar-based Gabar have revealed how they overcame the physical challenges of being separated from each other – and their team of perfumers – to create fragrances that could authentically represent their country and culture.

Guards up: Kao Corp to expand launch of novel mosquito repellent to Indonesia in 2023

06-Jul-2022 By Amanda Lim

Japanese consumer good giant Kao Corporation will launch its new mosquito repellent in Indonesia next year after recently embarking on an official launch in Thailand.

‘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.

Sunny outlook: Supergoop! aiming to reinforce position in SEA sun care market with education and innovation

16-Feb-2022 By Amanda Lim

US sun care brand Supergoop! is ramping up efforts to advocate the benefits of sunscreen and release competitive products in the “super important” South East Asian market.

L’Oréal exclusive: Why beauty’s online boom is far from plateauing

07-Feb-2022 By Amanda Lim

Beauty multinational L’Oréal says there is huge room for growth across its SAPMENA region with emerging demographics and online selling channels poised to take off.

No competition: Under tapped SEA oral care segment holds ‘most potential’, says NZ’s ukiwi

19-Jan-2021 By Amanda Lim

New Zealand-based oral care brand ukiwi is setting its sights on South East Asia, which it believes holds the most untapped potential for ‘new and innovative’ players.

A beauty first: Fashion retailer FJB bets on skin care brand Dr. Barbara Sturm in effort to diversify business

19-Jan-2021 By Amanda Lim

South East Asian fashion retailer FJ Benjamin Holdings (FJB) has recently expanded into beauty with the addition of cult skin care Dr. Barbara Sturm Molecular Cosmetics to tap into the growing demand for skin care amid COVID-19.

‘Perfect match’: Oribe targeting ‘major gap’ in SEA luxury hair care segment

12-Oct-2020 By Amanda Lim

Oribe Hair Care has recently expanded its distribution into South East Asia to tap into ‘incredible opportunities’ in the luxury hair care market.

Luxury platform: Shopee aiming to be ‘top premium beauty destination’ with launch of dedicated prestige ecosystem

07-Oct-2020 By Amanda Lim

E-commerce platform Shopee is eyeing untapped opportunities in South East Asia’s luxury beauty market as the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic pushes more premium brands to carve out an online business.

Big opportunities for small players: Beauty start-up ABX taps into gaps in retail left by larger competitors

30-Sep-2020 By Amanda Lim

Singapore-based start-up Asian Beauty X (ABX) has identified pockets of opportunities to expand in the offline retail space in the midst of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

‘Unrealistic ideals’: Thai beauty brand celebrates diversity to tackle Asia’s ‘unhealthy obsession’ with skin whitening products

17-Aug-2020 By Amanda Lim

The founder of Thai beauty brand says the beauty industry must change ‘narrow-minded’ view of beauty by celebrating diversity and breaking deep-rooted cultural beliefs surrounding skin fairness

Exclusive interview

Chatbots critical for beauty brands in South East Asia’s ‘social commerce’ environment

14-Nov-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Chatbots inside messenger apps have been described as the ‘must have’ innovation for brands wanting to drive sales within South East Asia’s burgeoning ‘social commerce’ economy.

Kanebo looking to double sales and expand across Asia

20-Apr-2016 By Lucy Whitehouse

Kao-owned cosmetics firm Kanebo is looking to double sales of its leading brand, Kate, by entering it into the markets of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and by strengthening its offering in China.

ASEANbeauty first to cater to fast evolving market in Thailand

04-Mar-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

UBM Asia has launched ASEANbeauty, a trade event supported by the Thai Cosmetics Manufacturers Association in an effort to keep up with the growing cosmetics sector in Thailand.

Albéa targets dynamic beauty market in China and South East Asia

24-Apr-2012 By Andrew McDougall

Beauty packager Albéa is targeting the expected growth in China and the South East Asia region with the acquisition of Zhongshan Meiquan Plastic Products, belonging to the TEX R.L. group, better known under the name TEX China.

Marico acquisition opens up South East Asia region

26-May-2010 By Katie Nichol

Indian personal care products company, Marico, has acquired the aesthetics businesses of Singapore-based Derma Rx Asia Pacific through its skin care solutions subsidiary, Kaya.