SCC meeting highlights hot topics in the industry in 2011
Craig Bonda of Hallstar and Dr. Robert Langer, institute professor at MIT were both keynote speakers at the meeting and spoke to CosmeticsDesign.com USA on how the industry fared in 2011.
According to Bonda, who spoke about the photostabilities of anti-aging skin care active ingredients, “I viewed 2011 as a recovery year in our industry.”
“It appears that the worst of the economic downturn is behind us. Attendance at trade shows and scientific meetings was up and the mood seemed brighter,” he added.
In regards to 2011 product trends, Bonda reveals that, “The focus on products that deliver anti-aging benefits continues, as does the desire among consumers to use products that are as much as possible naturally derived.”
Senior vice president of Living Proof, Eric Spengler added “Although not necessarily new in 2011, the cosmetics industry also continued to focus on complex actives.”
Innovation
Delivering the presentation on behalf of Spengler and Living Proof, Langer focused on biomaterials and biotechnology, which, he explained “have broad applications in cosmetics as well as medical fields.”
Comprised of leading scientists from outside the beauty industry, Living Proof introduced a hair care line to the industry last year based on polyfluoroesters that, Langer maintains, “do a better job than silicones at keeping hair frizz-free.”
He says Living Proof have been able to break new ground in skin and hair care as they “look at new materials that were fundamentally science, rather then attempting to cross medicine materials over to the cosmetic market, like silicone.”
2012 prospects
Dr. Langer reveals his hopes for 2012 are “what we do in the medical field, starts to cross over into cosmetics.”
While Bonda points out that Hallstar aims to build on its strong "naturals" position. “We will definitely continue our cutting-edge research in ways to deliver active ingredients safely and with greater effectiveness,” he concluded.
