Buoyed by rising disposable incomes and discretionary spending approaching the levels similar to those enjoyed by their Western counterparts, Eastern European beauty and personal care industry managed steady gains over the last few years. The pandemic, the geopolitical shocks and the consequent inflation surge – none of them managed to derail continuous expansion of sales. This has not, however, meant a slow and steady development of the industry. Even the exorbitant price increases did not stop consumers from moving towards more sophisticated products. Be it high-tech formulations, premium i ..read more

An interview with our Asia Pacific expert. Tell us about yourself… I call Malaysia home now, but I’m originally from Guangzhou, arguably the most vibrant hub of cosmetic manufacturing in China. It truly feels like destiny led me to in-cosmetics! Over the past 15 years, I’ve led a truly cosmopolitan team across the Asia Pacific region. My role is as dynamic as it gets, blending elements of strategy, sales, operations and marketing. During show days, you’ll no doubt spot me walking up and down the aisles, always on the look-out for feedback from our participants. I particularly enjoy having in ..read more

“Epigenetics” is an area of scientific research, which has gradually infiltrated various industries, including cosmetics, over the years. But what exactly is epigenetics, and why is it relevant to cosmetics? Essentially, epigenetics, a term coined in biology, refers to a set of instructions that regulate gene activity without altering the DNA sequence. These instructions, influenced by factors such as environment, lifestyle, and experiences, dictate when genes are turned on or off. While they don’t change our genes, they significantly impact our health and appearance. Understanding epigenetic ..read more

Buoyed by rising disposable incomes and discretionary spending approaching the levels similar to those enjoyed by their Western counterparts, Eastern European beauty and personal care industry managed steady gains over the last few years. The pandemic, the geopolitical shocks and the consequent inflation surge – none of them managed to derail continuous expansion of sales. This has not, however, meant a slow and steady development of the industry. Even the exorbitant price increases did not stop consumers from moving towards more sophisticated products. Be it high-tech formulations, premium i ..read more

The cosmetics industry, a realm of rapid change and constant innovation, poses unique challenges to product development. In this dynamic sector, the success of New Product Development (NPD) hinges on the crucial collaboration between Research & Development (R&D) and Marketing teams. To develop successful cosmetic products, the R&D and marketing teams must collaborate closely. R&D should stay updated on market trends and identify gaps, while marketing should understand consumer needs to devise effective marketing strategies. Misunderstandings can arise, but recognizing and empa ..read more

In recent years, a remarkable evolution has taken place within the skincare and cosmetic industry – the rise of biohacking. This innovative approach, leveraging the principles of biology and technology, has transformed the landscape of personal care, marking a significant shift towards more informed, conscious, and personalized skincare routines. As consumers become increasingly knowledgeable and health-conscious, the demand for products tailored to individual needs has soared, catalyzing a profound market transformation. Biohacking, at its core, involves the use of science and technology to ..read more

During the period from January to March 2024, several noteworthy regulatory developments have taken place globally. Notably, the Chinese mainland plans to introduce a transition period for safety assessment and makes amendments to Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics. Moreover, countries/regions including South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the EU, the US, and New Zealand have also implemented some regulatory changes. Here are brief updates on these developments.   1. EU EU Amends the Use Requirements for 13 Nanomaterials in Cosmetics On May 23, 2023, the European Union (EU) n ..read more

The cosmetics industry, a realm of rapid change and constant innovation, poses unique challenges to product development. In this dynamic sector, the success of New Product Development (NPD) hinges on the crucial collaboration between Research & Development (R&D) and Marketing teams. To develop successful cosmetic products, the R&D and marketing teams must collaborate closely. R&D should stay updated on market trends and identify gaps, while marketing should understand consumer needs to devise effective marketing strategies. Misunderstandings can arise, but recognizing and empa ..read more

Launching a new beauty brand is exhilarating yet challenging and whether you are a startup or a longstanding corporation the foundational process of brand development is important. This journey is no simple feat, yet if executed correctly, the results can bring success over the long run. Drawing from experience in marketing product development and brand strategy, especially within the startup realm, it is clear that there’s a common tendency to rush towards the endpoint of success without properly laying down the groundwork from the start. This article explores the process of aligning messagi ..read more

Ahead of the event in Paris this month, the shortlist for the 2024 in-cosmetics Global Awards, sponsored by Kenvue, has been revealed. Winners will be announced at the official in-cosmetics Global Awards ceremony, as the show returns to the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, from 16-18 April 2024. Over 50 shortlisted entries have been selected by an international judging panel, made up of 28 experts from the likes of Kenvue, Ecovia Intelligence, Unilever, Coty, Haleon and more. The judges faced a challenging task of narrowing down the entries as the calibre of admissions this year reached ..read more