Breaking News on Cosmetics Formulation & Packaging - North America EU edition

Polaris extends its range of organic vegetable oils

Polaris has extended its range of vegetable and plant oils and secured organic certification as part of aims to increase its footprint in the natural cosmetic ingredients segment.

Laboratoires Serobiologiques targets well-being cosmetics

Laboratoires Serobiologiques targets well-being cosmetics with its new dopamine-stimulating ingredient.

P&G sales and revenue slide as consumers tighten spend

Procter & Gamble revealed that its third quarter sales fell by 8 percent as consumer spend in developed markets fell and the strength of the US dollar impacted international sales.

Top three stories this month

New tracking tool reveals shifting beauty spending patterns

Cosmetics buying habits are shifting as the recession drags overall beauty product sales downwards, according to a new point-of-sale tracking product.

Revlon replaces CEO and records first quarter profit

Revlon has recorded a first quarter profit and announced changes to its management board including a new CEO.

News in brief

Colgate-Palmolive reports solid first quarter results

Helped by higher prices and cost-cutting, Colgate-Palmolive has reported a solid increase in net profit for the first quarter but sales revenue was down on last year.

Lipid Nutrition enters vitamin E market

Lipid Nutrition has launched a branded version of rising vitamin E form, tocotrienol, which a growing body of science is backing as one of the most powerful in antioxidant payload.

Video highlights from the fun side of in-cosmetics

Walking, not quite talking bottles and a pigment stop were just a few of the oddities to be found at this year’s in-cosmetics show in Munich. The CosmeticsDesign.com team walked the floor among the new ingredients and product releases to put together this collection of highlights.

MWV reports significant losses following reorganization

MeadWestvaco (MWV) has reported significant first quarter losses following large restructuring charges related to layoffs, asset write-downs, and factory closures.

Dow reveals bearing of Rohm and Haas acquisition on personal care

Dow’s acquisition of Rohm and Haas has been a financial drama involving legal bickering and funding uncertainty. Now that the deal is done, CosmeticsDesign.com spoke to the head of personal care at Dow to find out how the acquisition will affect the company's cosmetics business.

Estee Lauder makes organizational and executive changes

Estee Lauder has unveiled significant executive and organizational changes for the second phase of its company restructuring plan, 18 months after the first measures were announced.

Claims about ethical sourcing should be backed up by third parties, says IUCN official

Industry and NGOs addressed ethical ingredients sourcing at the Sourcing with Respect conference held in Munich on April 24. At the event, organised by the Union for Ethical BioTrade, Katie Bird spoke to Juan Marco Alvarez from the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) about the need of the private sector to back up their claims by third parties.

Third party verification strengthens companies’ ethical claims says study

Third party verification is needed to back up claims of ethically sourced ingredients, agreed industry and NGOs at a sourcing conference in Munich.

News in brief

Personal Care Products recalls nail remover

Personal Care Products is voluntarily recalling a nail polish removal after receiving two complaints of finger burns.

In-cosmetics panel gets under the skin of the recession

A panel of beauty experts gathered at in-cosmetics in Munich last week to examine the latest data on the cosmetics industry and diagnose its financial health.

Animal testing agreement signed to speed up adoption of alternative methods

International agencies from the US, Canada, Japan and the EU have signed a co-operation agreement to speed up the process for adopting alternative testing methods.

Alberto Culver reports falling sales and profit

Hair care specialist Alberto Culver becomes another victim of the strong dollar against international currencies, as a resulting drop in sales dents profits.

ISP launches anti-aging actives that target the cell ‘battery’

ISP’s two new anti-aging ingredients target the mitochondria – the engine of the cell and one of the hottest topics in the skin care sector.

Fragrance supplier CPL Aromas opens new facility in Dubai

Fragrance supplier CPL Aromas hopes its new facilities in Dubai will increase its strength in the Middle Eastern region.

News in brief

Scientists question benefits of açai berry in cosmetics

Scientists have questioned the benefits of açai berries when used in beauty products in a recently published article in the Wall Street Journal.

Mintel picks out top two product trends in cosmetics

Mintel has identified multi-functionality and convenience as the two biggest product trends in the beauty industry today.

Forget lipstick, depressed consumers embrace the ‘foundation effect’

New market research suggests that depressed consumers are shying away from a lipstick treat, opting instead for shampoo, skincare products or foundation.

DSM-Pentapharm releases active to fight against skin redness

DSM’s latest ingredient under the Pentapharm banner is designed to fight against skin redness and rosacea.

News in brief

Physicians Formula appoints new board member

Skin care specialist Physicians Formula has appointed Padraic Spence to the board of directors as part of moves to further increase the company’s market reach.

Cognis focuses on green solutions with new launches

Cognis Care Chemicals has launched a series of green-inspired ingredients at this week's in-cosmetics show, including emulsifiers and surfactants.

Rhodia launches two hair care ingredients at in-cosmetics

French chemical group Rhodia launched two ingredients for shampoos and conditioners at in-cosmetics in Munich this week.

Gattefossé launches mineral extract at in-cosmetics

Gattefossé uses in-cosmetics in Munich as a platform to launch Oli’vîne, a precious stone extract to join its mineral matters range.

Microflora research centre launched in Holland

Dutch research institute, TNO, has brought its microbial research services under one roof by launching a centre dedicated to the task and specialising in advanced DNA diagnostic methods.

Frutarom launches marine bioactive nutricosmetic extract

New Jersey-based Frutarom is launching a new marine extract based nutricosmetic in the US, born out of its new business relationship with France-based Copalis.

Mintel research claims lipstick effect is a fiction

Mintel has dismissed the lipstick effect in a new report that looks into the buying habits of beauty consumers in the recession.

UV filters could disrupt hormone systems in aquatic life

UV filters used in sunscreeens and other personal care products may have hormonal effects in aquatic systems, according to Swiss scientists.

Tupperwear Q1 hit by exchange rate on strong dollar

Tupperware Brands, the maker of food storage products and beauty products, announce big drop in sales, further exacerbated by a strong dollar impacting European results.

News in brief

IFF appoints new director of specialty retail

International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) has appointed a fragrance veteran to take up the position of director of specialty retail.

Australian authorities take action over organic mislabelling

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has taken action against cosmetics maker Natural Products of Australia over its natural and organic claims.

DSM showcases 24 hours of its ingredients at in-cosmetics

For the first time since purchasing Pentapharm in 2007, DSM is showcasing the full portfolio of skin care ingredients from its own reserves and those from the Swiss skin care specialist.

Kimberly-Clark sales hit tough retail conditions and strong dollar

The global personal care provider says sales fell by 6.6 percent in its first quarter reflecting tough retail conditions in Europe and North America and a strong dollar.

Innospec develops sulphate-free surfactant

Innospec has launched a clear and sulphate-free surfactant at In-Cosmetics in Munich that the firm says reproduces the lathering feel of a luxury soap bar.

Nine Naturals launches first hair care line for pregnant mothers

Personal care provider Nine Naturals is launching what is claimed to be the first ever hair care line formulated specially for expectant mothers.

GS Cosmeceuticals names VP of global sales

Contract cosmetics manufacturer GS Cosmeceutical has named Judith Sikora as its new VP of global sales as part of efforts to expand its reach into international markets.

Deodorants tailored to disguise either male or female underarm odor released

Gender specific fragrances and deodorants that take into account the characteristic underarm odors of males and females are now hitting the market.

GSK pays €2.78bn for skincare maker Stiefel

GlaxoSmithKline has paid $3.6bn (€2.78bn) for US-based dermatology specialist Stiefel, the largest independent company of its kind.

Bio lemon extract can help formulators go organic, says Gattefossé

Water extracted from organic lemons can help formulators increase the organic percentage of their products, according to French ingredients supplier Gattefossé.

Revlon mulls investor buy-out proposal

Revlon’s board of directors is mulling a proposal by investment group MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings to buy-out shares it does not already own in the business.

Procter & Gamble appoints new head of strategy

Procter & Gamble has announced that Patrice Louvet will take over from Harwif Langer as global president of global prestige products.

Stila Cosmetics acquired by investment firm Patriach

Premium make-up brand Stila Cosmetics has been bought out by New York-based private equity company Patriach Partners, following weeks of speculation.

Cost cutting sees P&G upgraded by analyst

Procter & Gamble looks well placed to ride the economic storm as a leading financial analyst upgrades the company’s rating on the back of cost cutting measures.

Weekly comment

Why no one is fooled by greenwashing

Trickery and lies are not uncommon in marketing but when selling sustainability bending and twisting the truth has become standard practice.

ISP to unveil new direction for its business at in-cosmetics

Personal care ingredient specialist ISP says it will be lifting the lid on a new direction for the company that focuses on a revitalized research and development programme.

Evonik launches thickening agent at in-cosmetics

Ecocert-certified thickening agent can help moisturise and improve skin feel, says manufacturer Evonik.

Cosmetics awash with greenwashing, says report

All too often cosmetics firms are guilty of committing one or more of the seven sins of greenwashing, according to environmental marketing firm TerraChoice.

BASF closes Ciba deal and starts integration process

BASF has completed the acquisition of Ciba after receiving conditional approval from both the European and US competition authorities.

News in brief

Clinical study suggests IBR-Snowflake slows down skin ageing

Israel-based IBR says recently carried out clinical trials on its IBR-Snowflake ingredient suggest it smoothes skin, reduces wrinkles and slows down skin ageing.

Disagreements in international biodiversity negotiations revealed

Progress has been made towards an international agreement on access the world’s biodiversity, but much remains uncertain.

Aptar sales drop due to low demand in fragrance and cosmetics

A drop in demand from fragrance and cosmetics companies has led to falls in first quarter sales and income for Aptar Group.

Titanium Dioxide market proves resilient to downturn

Demand for high purity anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2) in sunscreen and tooth whitening formulations means sales are likely to remain steady despite the downturn, says a market report.

BASF’s cosmetic actives promise to ‘Photoshop’ the face

The cosmetics arm of the Germany-based chemicals giant has launched two ingredients designed to tighten pores, reduce oiliness and increase skin radiance.

Consumer watchdog find home LED anti-aging devices ineffective

Tests carried out on five hand held LED anti-aging lights by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute claim that the results showed little effect on wrinkles.

J&J sales fall but forecast remains unchanged

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced a sharp fall in first quarter sales for both its consumer and pharmaceutical businesses.

Rahn launches UV protection ingredient at in-cosmetics

Topical ingredient Celligent both prevents UV damage and helps DNA repair, claims ingredients supplier Rahn.

Demand for specialty silica set to continue strong market growth

Demand for specialty silicas for personal care applications is set to grow at 3.6 percent annually over the next four years, according to research from Freedonia Group.

News in brief

Coty appoints new head of Beauty Division

Coty has appointed a new president of its Beauty Division to manage all Coty brands available in mass distribution in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

PZ Cussons enters bidding for Sara Lee

PZ Cussons is reportedly among the bidders battling it out to buy the household and body care business at Sara Lee.

Weekly comment

Personal care pollution should be on your radar

Personal care pollution should be on your radar A rash of highly publicised scientific studies has served to underline growing awareness of pollution from personal care products. Justified or not, it will become an increasingly important issue for the industry.

Keller Rohrback investigates baby personal care formulation

Keller Rohrback has become the second law firm in the US to become involved in the controversy surrounding potentially dangerous baby personal care formulations.

Global Palm oil prices soar as stocks fall

Oilseed analysts are predicting a squeeze on supply of Malaysian palm oil for months to come, as prices are pushed up by farmers’ inability to invest in inputs and poor extraction rates – while demand for fried and oily food is not abating.

Color cosmetics expected to make up for overall beauty weakness

Mintel has released new market forecasts suggesting that some sectors of the cosmetics industry could benefit from the recession.

News in brief

MPS buys up assets of Ivy Hill Corporation

Multi-Packaging Solutions (MPS) together with Irving Place Capital have announced the completion of the acquisition of certain assets of Ivy Hill Corporation.

Henkel 'not satisfied' with start of 2009

A respectable performance from Henkel’s cosmetics and laundry sectors could not make up for struggles in the company’s adhesives business.

Cosmetics industry left behind by international negotiations on biodiversity

Negotiations on the trade in biodiversity-based products that will impact how cosmetic companies source their natural ingredients were continued earlier this week in Paris.

PCPC appoints new president and CEO

The Personal Care Products Council has announced that Lezlee Westine will take over from Pamela Bailey as president and CEO of the national trade organization.

News in brief

Regis reports 3Q drop in sales and predicts loss in 2009

Regis has reported a 2.5 percent fall in its third quarter sales ending March 31 and predicts a loss in 2009 following years of high-end profitability.

Economic distress in chemicals spells acquisition opportunity

Hidden gems lurk under the surface of chemicals for those prepared to ferret them out, according to Kline & Company.

Lychee extract to target US beauty foods market

New York-based Maypro Industries is targeting a Japanese lychee extract at beauty and health foods and beverages after it was self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) in the US.

NUK baby powder under question in China

Baby care powder manufactured under the German brand NUK has been removed from shelves in China under suspicion it contains asbestos.

Countdown begins to Luxe Pack New York

Preparations are well underway for Luxe Pack New York, an event that organizers expect to be stronger than ever despite the recession.

Parlux signs unusual licensing deal with Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West

Parlux Fragrances has signed an unprecedented licensing deal that will see the earnings of stars Rihanna and Kanye West tied to the company share price.

Procter & Gamble announces job cuts at Puerto Rican plant

P&G will cut 90 jobs at its production facility in the town of Cayey, in the central region of the country as part of the company’s restructuring program.

Analyst downbeat about Estee Lauder

An analyst from UBS has downgraded Estee Lauder saying the company is struggling because of its reliance on luxury and travel retail.

Allergic reactions to fragrances are falling, says professor

Allergic reactions to fragrances and perfumes have been steadily decreasing over the past decade, according to evidence presented at an IFRA seminar last week.

Weekly comment

New genetic tests for active ingredients should not replace trials in real people

The sequencing of the human genome has provided powerful new tools to investigate the effect of active ingredients on the body; but, there are limitations and these tools cannot replace tests in real people.

Takasago CEO passes away; new appointment

Japanese flavors and fragrances firm Takasago has appointed a new company head after former CEO Hiroki Take passed away unexpectedly last month.

Jane & Co files for chapter 11 bankruptcy

Jane & Co, a provider of personal care products and accessories, has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with United States courts in Wilmington, Delaware.

Baby and toddler personal care market looks robust says analyst

The baby and toddler personal care market may withstand economic pressures better than other sectors as parents are unwilling to compromise on quality for their children.

News in brief

New website created for cosmetic industry job seekers

A website called CareersinCosmetics.com has been launched aimed at job seekers looking for professional- and executive-level positions in the US.

Beauty social networking site offers market research reports to industry

A social networking site that provides cosmetics advice to consumers, can double up as a market research resource for the industry, according to the site’s designer.

Botox and filler treatments continue to grow in 2008

Despite a drop in the number of invasive cosmetics procedures carried out in the US in 2008, minimally invasive treatments such as Botox continue to gain in popularity.

News in brief

Bosch streamlines packaging technology business

Global packaging player Bosch Packaging Technology, a leader in the area of holistic security systems, has streamlined and renamed all of its global subsidiaries.

Trade body lobbies US government over Mexican tariffs on cosmetics

Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is lobbying the US government to resolve its trading dispute with Mexico and liberate the American cosmetics industry from the burden of tariffs.

ECJ rules on marketing and medicinal claims

Those writing about products on the frontier with pharmaceuticals risk having their articles interpreted as illegal marketing materials, according to a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling yesterday.

Cremer Care develops vegetable alternative to petroleum jelly

Cremer Care has developed a vegetable alternative to petroleum jelly for natural cosmetics manufacturers.

Probiotic ingredient could reduce oral cavities, says BASF

BASF and OrganoBalance have developed a probiotic ingredient for oral care products that they claim helps fight against dental caries.

IFF fine fragrance and beauty care gets new head

New York-based fragrance and flavor supplier IFF has appointed Christophe de Villeplee as vice president of fine fragrance and beauty care.

Shiseido develops skin moisturizing and protection ingredient

Shiseido says research into the skin barrier function has led to the development of a new ingredient to tackle dryness and UV absorption.

Cosmetic chemist sets up online training resource

Cosmetic chemist and writer Perry Romanowski has launched a training website to inspire innovation in a “stagnant” industry.

News in brief

Colgate-Palmolive downgraded on lower Q1 expectations

A leading US analyst has downgraded its rating for Colgate-Palmolive, stating that Wall Street earnings expectations for the first quarter were too high.

HBA adds free webinars to events schedule

HBA Global Expo is branching out into free webinars to offer beauty industry professionals more in-depth and targeted education.

Trade body fights back against criticisms of new EU rules

CTPA has fought back against criticisms made by the BEUC of the new EU rules on nanomaterials in cosmetics.

Private equity firm buys up Urban Decay business

Castranea Partners has acquired the trend-setting Urban Decay Cosmetics business from the Falk group and pledges to support it in further expansion.

3D nanotoxicity tests more accurate than 2D, says study

Using 3D tissue models may be more accurate than 2D when testing the toxicity of nanoparticles, say scientists in the US.

P&G sells African-American hair care business

Procter & Gamble (P&G) has sold ethnic hair care company Johnson Products to a group of investors for an undisclosed sum.

News in brief

Indian personal care maker hunts for major acquisition opportunities

Godrej Consumer Products is on the acquisition hunt with a war chest of up to $1bn to invest with.

Scientists claim fragrance and hair care ingredients cause eczema

A study conducted by the University of Gothenburg suggests that a significant number of individuals have allergic skin reactions to the fragrance ingredient linalool.