Melanin synthesis discovery prompts hope of new cosmetics applications

By Simon Pitman+, cosmeticsdesign-europe, 07-Jul-2016

New research that has deciphered the formation process for melanin could lead to further development of its use in a number of applications, including cosmetics.

The article points out that melanin is well-known for falling into the categories: Anti-ageing, skin conditioning and tinting.
However, through advanced biotechnology, researchers found the secret enzyme tryosinase, a core trigger in the synthesis process, which has an important impact on the development of cosmetics, medicine and environmental technology.

[READ FULL ARTICLE]

What is halal skin care and makeup, and what are the trends?

By Lucy Whitehouse +, cosmeticsdesign-europe, 06-Jul-2016

Halal is becoming big business for the beauty industry globally, and particularly in Asia: a central focus for this week’s in-cosmetics Korea event, we take a closer look at the trend.

Kunal Mahajan, project manager of Chemicals & Energy at Kline - top management consulting firm serving the Chemicals industry globally – explains in the article that “halal” can not only be associated with food and beverages, but that its denomination is equally appropriate for pharmaceuticals, personal care, skincare and hair care products.

But what makes a product halal and why does “halal” become a trend in cosmetics?
Mahajan outlines the answers in detail in his article: The key contributors to this trend is economics and the changing consumer lifestyle.

According to Mahajan, top growth regions for halal products will be the Middle East and Asia, particularly South Asia and Southeast Asia.

[READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE]

Ethnic skin care: the way forward or outmoded concept?
By DSM Nutritional Products, Ltd 16-Jun-2016, CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com

Whilst the power of beautiful skin is undeniably universal, skin care needs vary widely from person to person. Men’s skin is not the same as women’s; younger skin has different needs than older skin. Skin may be dry or oily. And skin – the largest organ in the body – differs in another way: it comes in a beautiful range of tones which are visible links to our genetic and ethnic heritage.

So what are the broader influences behind consumer choices when it comes to skin care products?

Skin: an evolving story
In many regions of the world – China being a case in point – the population is still fairly homogeneous and people may have quite specific skin care needs based on cultural as well as biological factors. DSM Consumer Insight researchers who went to that country found that definitions of beauty in China often differ widely from those cited in many Western countries. They also found that Chinese women had different anti-aging skin care priorities, tending to be less worried about wrinkles than about loss of skin elasticity, enlarged pores and uneven tone.

For manufacturers of skin care products this presents both challenges and opportunities.
A DSM Insights team that conducted a field study in Los Angeles and New York among mothers, daughters, aunts and friends obtained a myriad of rich insights into their notions regarding ethnicity and skin care. Many interviewees declared their opposition to the idea of categorizing people by ethnic group, believing that this simply isn't consistent with people's views of the world today, or their view of themselves.

The take-away message from consumer insights is therefore that the need for multifunctional skin actives which work equally well for all skin tones and types is set to grow.
In their study DSM investigated the global applicability of a peptide ingredient amongst three different ethnicities (Caucasian, Asian and African), whereby they discovered new cosmetic properties.

• Multifunctional anti-ager for all skin tones
• Visible reduction of the signs of aging and shiny skin
• Improved skin smoothness and appearance resulting in younger-looking skin

The peptide therefore has applications as a global anti-aging cream and serum, and as a skin beauty maximizer mask. It is China-listed.

[READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE]

The Body Shop looks to gain momentum in the Middle East with new launches

By Andrew McDougall+, 25-Mar-2016

The Body Shop is turning to new product launches in the Middle East as it looks drive sales in the region off the back of a good year in 2015.

According to parent company L’Oréal’s annual results, the UK-based brand recorded 10.7% growth based on reported figures for the year, and this was thanks to good momentum in the Middle East, as well as in Africa and Europe, only offset by challenges in Asia and North America.

[READ THE FULL ARTICLE]

Changes in UK skin care routines spell premium-level opportunities

By Simon Pitman+, 22-Jun-2016

Changes to skin care routines that incorporate busy and fast-paced lifestyles are providing opportunities in the UK premium market, according to the latest Premium Market Report. 

Besides the fact that consumers like to chop and change the products they use according to their needs, the report also highlights that it is new concepts and technology that consumers really embrace when the consider what products they buy.

[READ THE FULL ARTICLE]

Scientists believe ‘systematic review’ will ease concerns around cosmetics chemical safety

By Michelle Yeomans+, 24-Jun-2016

According to researchers at the University of Lancaster, lessons from the field of medicine could help provide clearer answers to concerns around chemical safety, particularly in the case of the cosmetics industry.

Can cosmetics cause cancer? Which pesticides are safe? The aim of scientific research is to answer questions like these, but what happens when two or more studies produce conflicting results?

Since the 1990s, medical science has relied on ‘systematic review’ as a means of weighing up the available evidence and coming up with a reliable answer. It saves time, resources and avoids unnecessary research.

Approach will be fundamental in resolving chemical controversies like triclosan

[READ THE FULL ARTICLE]