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

News in brief

Unilever joins Climate Savers Computing Initiative

Personal care manufacturer Unilever has joined the Climate Savers Computing Initiative, pledging to work on the adoption of energy-efficient PCs and servers, with the aim of reducing global computer CO2 emissions by 54 million tons per year.

Flotation of China hair care company sparks investment fever

An IPO for leading China hair care BaWang has triggered investor interest that saw shares traded at the top end of forecasts, raising €152m for the company.

HBA expo and conference opens up for pre-registration

The biggest event in the North American personal care industry’s diary, which runs from 15 – 17 September, has opened up for pre-registration.

Alcohol free fragrances could ‘revolutionize’ industry

Water-based fragrances could ‘revolutionize’ fine fragrance and personal care products, according to Dow Chemical Company.

Linked-in connects cosmetic scientists and marketers alike

Social networking site Linked-in is fast becoming an important tool for cosmetics marketers and scientists in search of people, information and news.

US watchdog Consumer Reports reflects well on US sunscreens

US watchdog Consumer Reports tested ten sunscreen products and found that they all met or exceeded their advertised sun protection factor (SPF). This is in contrast to the more scathing report by UK Watchdog Which? on popular sunscreens in Europe.

News in brief

Heidi Klum sues German trader over Ebay fragrance sales

German model and television presenter Heidi Klum plans to sue a German trader ₤100 000 for selling her fragrance too cheaply on Ebay, according to newspaper reports.

Weekly comment

Nutrition and cosmetics industries must clear up cosmeceutical confusion

The term cosmeceutical has always been controversial, but the blurring boundaries between the worlds of nutrition and cosmetics are highlighting divisions that neither industry can ignore.

Sales of men’s toiletries struggle in the summer heat

Men’s toiletries have suffered the most in the early summer heat while disinfectants have thrived, according to Bernstein Research.

Rhodia reinforces global presence through acquisition in Asia

Rhodia has just completed the acquisition of its minority partner’s shares in its joint venture Rhodia Thai Industries, as part of the firm’s wider strategy to reinforce its global presence in specialty surfactants.

Beiersdorf taps into convenience trend with men’s grooming product

Beiersdorf plays on convenience and multi-functionality with its latest launch for men in the hope of attracting the time-starved modern man whose wallet is feeling the pinch.

News in brief

Dabur India completes acquisition of skin care firm

India-based consumer goods company Dabur India has completed the acquisition of skin care brand Fem, which becomes one the company’s subsidiaries.

High phthalate levels correlated with low birth weight in newborns, says study

Exposure to certain phthalates in the womb could be linked to low birth weight, according to researchers in China.

Major natural products firms commit to cause-marketing coupons

A nationwide coupon-book initiative that aims to engage natural product consumers with childhood nutrition is in its final stages of set-up, with interested manufacturers able to apply for participation until July 15.

Taxing new plastic would increase use of recycled material, says chemist

Taxing virgin PET is one of the best ways to get companies to move over to using recycled material for plastic packaging, according to a green chemist.

Top three stories this week

L’Oreal found guilty of racist recruitment

L’Oreal has been definitively convicted of racism by France’s highest court for recruiting whites only to sell its Garnier hair products.

News in brief

Shareholders approve Ciba - BASF merger

Shareholders voted in favour of the merger of BASF and Ciba at the annual general meeting of Ciba in Basel.

Spending on cosmetics is picking up again, says NPD

A snapshot report from NPD on reactions to the economy among beauty consumers suggests that women are willing to spend more on cosmetics again.

Kimberly-Clark increases the number of proposed job losses to 1,600

Dallas-based Kimberly-Clark says it wants to increase the number of job cuts to 1,600 following an earlier announcement that it was aiming to cut 1,000 staff.

Beraca forms partnership with DeWolf to target North American market

Brazilian company Beraca has forged a partnership with DeWolf Chemical to expand their distribution in the North American market and meet growing demand for organic cosmetics.

CVS banned from selling defaced Coty’s Davidoff fragrance

A New York court of appeal has upheld a ban that stops US retailer CVS from selling Coty’s Davidoff fragrance if the packaging has been defaced.

News in brief

Packaging redesign ups demand for high-end skin care range

The German arm of RPC packaging has redesigned the premium cosmetics range Babor which called for a simpler, sleeker look.

Top three stories this week

P&G ventures into risky and uncharted territory with acquisitions, says analyst

A Mintel analyst has warned that Procter & Gamble (P&G) must commit significant resources to build the premium male grooming market and turn its recent acquisitions into a success story.

FDA launches focus on transparency

Regulatory agencies are putting increased emphasis on transparency, with the FDA holding its first public meeting on the topic and the EMEA seeking feedback from citizens on its draft policy.

Harmonized naturals certification will not happen over night

Expecting organic and natural certification standards to be harmonized at this stage of the game is too much to ask, says a leading industry expert.

Caffeine could help protect against UVB-induced skin damage

Incorporating caffeine into sun care and after-sun products may help minimize the effects of UV damage and protect against skin cancer, according to US researchers.

Weekly comment

New Procter & Gamble head has a job on his hands

Robert Macdonald becomes CEO of Procter & Gamble (P&G) as its brands face fierce competition from discounters and private label alternatives.

Seminar aims to clear up confusion over green standards

A one-day seminar, Green Beauty Buyers Guide to Cosmetic Standards and Ingredients, is to take place in New York City in September.

Thinking outside the box: Refillable packaging opportunities

Creative ideas for refillable beauty packages have great potential for companies looking to improve their green credentials, says a packaging design expert.

Dupont uses packaging award to leverage sustainable business practices

The company is focusing on its Dupont Awards as a means of helping the personal care industry discover how packaging can be incorporated into a sustainable business strategy.

Metabolix announces launch of new bioplastic and biodegradable colorants

Telles has collaborated with plastics molder Nypro to develop its next generation of injection molding bioplastic, suitable for a wider range of applications.

Top three stories this week

Botox now being heralded as hair loss remedy

An aesthetic surgeon claims he has stumbled across a new use for the anti-wrinkle treatment Botox - as a solution for baldness.

Hair care firm to buy Kanebo spin-off for $261m, say sources

Hair colour maker Hoyu is set to buy a controlling stake in former Kanebo spin-off company Kracie Holdings for about 25 billion yen ($261m), according to press reports.

Eastman wins government award for green chemistry process

Eastman has won an EPA green chemistry award for its solvent-free biocatalytic process for cosmetic and personal care ingredients.

Noveon reorganizes to concentrate on business development

Noveon, the consumer specialities division of Ohio-based Lubrizol, has reorganised its team leaders in an attempt to improve innovation and accelerate business development.

News in brief

Health Canada publishes guide to cosmetics ingredient labeling

Health Canada, the federal department responsible for assessing the safety of drugs and consumer products in Canada, has created a guide document to clarify existing cosmetics regulations under the food and drugs act.

Nu Skin targets direct sales anti-aging market worldwide

Skin care provider says it developing a network of distributors worldwide for a complete skin care and supplement anti-aging range.

Rexam goes miniature for Narciso Rodriguez’ busy consumers

The new Essence line from Narciso Rodriguez is also available in small travel sizes using Rexam’s Sofistic 1ml sampler.

Boots pulls out of ethical trading commitment

Boots has been accused of “turning its back on workers” after the health and beauty retailer pulled out of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI).

Top three stories this week

Global skin lighteners market booms

The global skin lightening market is predicted to reach $10 billion by 2015, driven by new markets in the West and sustained growth in Asia-Pacific, a report by Global Industry Analysts (GIA) has revealed.

No Frizz owners get $9m for further product development

Beauty company Living Proof has secured $9m in funding to fuel future growth and product development.

Top three stories this week

Alberto-Culver cuts 160 jobs and reveals growth plans

Alberto-Culver, owners of the Alberto VO5 and Nexxus brands, plans to cut 160 jobs and reorganize its facilities to boost productivity.

News in brief

Is the clutch bag the new make-up compact?

Cosmetics compacts disguised as wallets and clutch bags is the latest concept from contract manufacturer Topline products.

News in brief

Puig aims high with new Nina Ricci perfume

Puig Group has unveiled a new Nina Ricci perfume in Paris that it hopes will become a best-seller in international markets.

IFF promotes several senior perfumers

International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) has promoted three senior perfumers to vice president positions in fine fragrance and beauty care.

Kao starts construction of $165m eco-friendly research center

Kao has unveiled plans to build a ¥16bn ($165m) Eco-Technology Research Center (ETRC), in a bid to develop a new generation of green cosmetics.

Top three stories this week

L'Oreal taken to court in Sweden for marketing claims

L’Oreal is being taken to the Market Court in Sweden for claims about anti-ageing products that the Consumer Ombudsman (KO) says it can’t substantiate.

News in brief

Japanese company makes it possible to send fragrances over the internet

NTT Communications has developed a ‘fragrance communication’ system that makes it possible to send a variety of different fragrances using the internet.

ICMAD reveals winners of Cosmetic Innovators of the Year

ICMAD has presented the awards for the Cosmetic Innovators of the Year (CITY), an annual event that rewards innovation among independent beauty companies.

Target says lawsuit aims to stop it donating cosmetics to the community

Target claims the hazardous waste lawsuit brought against it aims to stop the retailer giving away shampoo, hair spray and detergent products to communities in need.

Top three stories this week

Nail varnish that can be switched on or off: The future of color cosmetics?

Environmentally friendly pigments that can instantly and reversibly change colour could be the future of color cosmetics, according to researchers in California.

Author links everyday chemicals to breast cancer

A new book packs punches at the US cosmetics and personal care industry, claiming that there is ‘compelling evidence’ to link rising cancer rates to carcinogenic chemicals.

News in brief

Kenya lowers cosmetics tax to encourage women to be beautiful

The Kenyan government has decided to lower the rate of tax on cosmetics products as a means of encouraging women to take care of their appearance.

Colipa’s Annual Report outlines research and regulatory priorities

Colipa has focused on “value and values” in its Annual Report, picking out sustainability and alternative testing methods as priorities for the year ahead.

Astral Brands uses email and Facebook in tandem to drive sales

Astral Brands has enlisted the services of ExactTarget to harness the combined power of email marketing and Facebook.

A third of Americans worried about sunscreen use and low vitamin D levels

Nearly a third of Americans are worried that using sunscreens will stop them from getting necessary levels of vitamin D, according to a recent survey from Neutrogena.

Chemical suppliers can ride out recession by tapping into cosmetic trends

Maintaining investment in the research and development of innovative ingredients that tap into key cosmetics trends can help chemical companies survive the downturn.

Consultancy to help brands target female ‘ethnic’ groups

Advertising agency the Vox Collective and marketing consultancy 85% Niche, have joined forces to help brands understand and increase market share in the growing ‘ethnic’ segment in America.

Weekly comment

Global harmonisation for organic standards looks a distant dream

Despite high hopes and noble thoughts, the Cosmos standard for organic and natural cosmetics is unlikely to lead to global harmonisation.

Top three stories this week

Topical anti-cancer drug could have anti-aging potential

An anti-cancer drug could improve wrinkles and age spots by a mechanism similar to laser resurfacing, according to a study by American researchers.

Top three stories this week

P&G buys another luxury men's grooming company

Procter & Gamble has added another high-end male grooming brand to its portfolio through the acquisition of men’s skin and shave care brand, Zihr.

TACD publishes regulatory resolution on nanoparticles

TACD is urging the US and Europe to work together to address regulatory needs related to the use of nanomaterials in consumer products.

News in brief

'America's got talent' judge Piers Morgan strips for Burger King fragrance

Piers Morgan features in the advertising campaign for Burger King’s new meat-scented cologne, lying naked, except for a Burger King medallion and a strategically placed rug, in front of a blazing fire.

Private equity firms blocked from Sara Lee sale

The forthcoming sale of Sara Lee’s household and personal care business will be blocked to bids from two leading private equity firms, according to sources.

Gross margin growth expected in personal care, despite surge in oil price

European personal care companies should enjoy “strong gross margin growth” despite the recent surge in the oil price, says Bernstein Research.

Kimberly Clarke cuts 600 jobs

Personal care giant Kimberly Clarke is letting go of 600 employees at a number of US locations as it moves towards its target of 1000 job cuts.

Perfumes promise to bottle the essence of university

Masik Collegiate fragrances plans to add five new fragrances to its existing line of perfumes which claim to bottle the essence of university colleges in the US.

US cosmetics trade body hosts legal and regulatory conference

Covering chemical lists, social networking, and the Obama administration, the 2009 Legal and Regulatory Conference takes place this week in Vancouver, Canada.

Personal care market still offers opportunities for chemical suppliers

The fact that consumers still want effective, multi-functional personal care products means that there remains significant demand for innovative chemicals.

News in brief

Palomar set to continue lawsuit for hair removal device

Following a decision by the US patent office that the company’s patent is valid, Palomar Medical Technologies plans to restart its lawsuit against Candela.

News in brief

Clarins plans push on the Asian markets

The contribution to Clarins’ sales from China, Vietnam and Thailand is expected to grow from 15 to 20-25 percent in the next three years, according to the Bangkok Post.

Elizabeth Arden brand to cut fragrance in favor of skin care and make-up

Elizabeth Arden plans to slim down the fragrance segment of its Elizabeth Arden brand and build the business by focusing on skin care and color cosmetics.

Global luxury market predicted to recover by 2011

Although the premium and luxury personal care market has been hard hit during the economic downturn, market researchers predict it will bounce back by 2011.

Givaudan sells new shares to cut debt

Swiss fragrance and flavour supplier Givaudan has issued nearly a million new shares, in an attempt to pay off some of the debt from purchasing Quest.

News in brief

L’Oreal and Unilever eye Israeli cosmetics firm Careline, says paper

L’Oreal and Unilever are rumoured to be eying the Israeli cosmetics and toiletries manufacturer Careline.

Natural oral care shows industry-leading growth rates

The natural and organic oral care market in the US is predicted to grow at a rate that should outpace all other personal care categories, market researchers predict.

Lachemi launches natural preservatives from ancient holistic origins

Indian specialty ingredients company, Lachemi, has launched a range of natural preservatives which have combined modern research techniques with the ancient tradition of Ayurveda.

Cosmeceuticals Conference to discuss latest innovations

The sixth annual Cosmeceuticals Conference kicks off in New York at the end of the month with talks covering, regulation, innovation, and business opportunities.

Lawyers warn of greenwashing trap

Companies making green claims should be prepared for a growing number of eco-fraud litigation cases, warns an article published in a legal journal.

Beauty foods and drinks: In good taste?

Chocolates, jams and juices sporting beauty claims are all part of the 'beauty from within' trend tipped for immense growth. CosmeticsDesign explored a number of the latest products and put them to the taste test.

Dow Corning ‘transforms’ business with online push

In what it calls a transformation of its business, Dow Corning is enlarging its internet selling platform to improve efficiency and targeting the ‘megatrend’ sustainability.

News in brief

Laser anti-wrinkle device gets FDA approval

Palomar Medical Technologies has announced that the FDA gave it clearance to sell its home-use laser device direct to consumers without a prescription.

Estee Lauder joins L’Oreal and P&G in lowering prices to boost sales

Estee Lauder has joined L’Oreal and Procter & Gamble in unveiling its strategy of targeting value products to appeal to cash-strapped beauty consumers.

P&G confirms McDonald as new president and CEO

Procter & Gamble has confirmed that Robert McDonald will take over from A.G. Lafley as CEO, following a board meeting earlier this morning.

Intelligent Nutrients buys renewable energy and obtains Green-e accreditation

Natural cosmetics company, Intelligent Nutrients, has bought 427 MWh of Certified Renewable Energy certificates (RECs), the amount needed to power its entire US operations for one year.

‘Good enough to eat’: the trend for food ingredients in cosmetics gains pace

A rising number of cosmetics companies are now formulating products from ingredients normally found in the kitchen. This is the latest trend to emerge from escalating interest in organic and natural products.

Interactive timeline of the ugly economy and the beauty industry

Cosmetics Design has created an interactive timeline of the major news stories on job losses, corporate failure and restructuring in the cosmetics industry over the past six months to give readers a new perspective on the impact of the economic crisis.

Glow-in-the-dark ink from Alpha Packaging arm targets unusual cosmetics

Technigraph has developed glow-in-the-dark ink that could be used for Halloween cosmetics, glowing night cream pots or romantic perfumes.

News in brief

FDA finds high levels of bacteria in antimicrobial skin care products

FDA has found high levels of disease-causing bacteria in Clarcon antimicrobial products during a recent inspection, leading to the recall of several skin sanitizers and skin protectants.

Antioxidants may reduce side effects from light-based procedures, says study

Applying antioxidant-rich formulations before and during a course of pulsed light therapy can help cut down negative side effects, according to a recent study.

P&G set to name McDonald as new CEO, report says

Robert McDonald is set to take over from A.G. Lafley as the new CEO of Procter & Gamble, according to a report in the Monday edition of The Wall Street Journal.

News in brief

Maesa develops ‘book-packaging’ for Aloette

Maesa has developed packaging that can be read as a book for Alloete’s Cosmetics's new colour line.

Which? SPF report could be dangerous to consumers, say industry insiders

The Which? report that questioned SPF values could turn consumers away from sun protection with devastating consequences, according to the UK trade body CTPA.

Call to shun degradable additives in cosmetics packaging

Cosmetics companies should avoid using degradable additives in PET packaging until four key questions can be answered, warns the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR).

Expansion boosts Ulta Salon's first quarter

Beauty retailer Ulta Salon says new store openings have helped drive stronger first quarter results, but comparable store sales are still down.

Weekly comment

The internet provides a route out of recession for cosmetics companies

Cosmetics manufacturers should turn to the internet and social networking sites to talk with consumers and spread the word about their brands.

Testing kits cut cosmetics development time

Scienceuticals claims that its in-house microbiological testing capability for contract manufactured personal care products cuts development time by up to two weeks.

News in brief

Grape extracts get a boost with guaranteed polyphenol levels

Merlot is the first grape variety from Cosmetochem’s range to come with an assured level of polyphenols.

High-potency green tea extract launched

Blue California has launched a 95 percent EGCG tea extract it is targeting at functional foods and beverages as well as cosmeceuticals.

P&G phases out Max Factor distribution in US

Procter & Gamble says it is phasing out the distribution of the Max Factor color cosmetics brand in the US following slowing sales

BASF opts out of care chemicals price war

The head of BASF’s care chemicals business said the company refuses to be drawn into a price war to compete in the depressed market for personal care ingredients.

News in brief

Symrise appoints new CEO as Linzbach steps down

Heinz-Jürgen Bertram will become the new CEO of the fragrance and flavours supplier Symrise on July 1 2009.

WWF urges participation of cosmetics industry in soy roundtable

Both the WWF and Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) have said that they would like to see the inclusion of cosmetics companies in future round table discussions.

Estee Lauder leaders promise to cut underperforming product lines

Estee Lauder has promised to eliminate unprofitable product lines and geographies to focus energies on growth areas like the Asian skin care market.

P&G resumes acquisition trail, buying men’s grooming company

Procter & Gamble has bought the Miami-based business Art of Shaving as part of its plans to expand into the international prestige men’s grooming category.

Brazilian herbal compound could reduce under eye bags, says study

A mixture of herbs including Brazilian ginseng and white lily could improve dark circles and under eye puffiness, according to researchers in Brazil.

Alkaline formulations leave skin open to irritation, say Korean scientists

Skin care products should always be formulated to match the skin pH, and for dry skin, acidic products should be used, according to Korean scientists.

Meet Our New Owners

Don’t miss this video interview with Robert Marr, chief operating officer of William Reed Business Media which recently acquired Decision News Media publisher of CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com and CosmeticsDesign.com.

Appointment of new Physicans Formula CFO threatens NASDAQ listing

Physicians Formula has received a NASDAQ Staff Deficiency Letter threatening the company with delisting if it does not fulfill requirements for its executive board.

News in brief

Ex-Coty worker wins case against employers

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has ruled that an ex-worker at beauty firm Coty was misclassified as an independent contractor.

Klean beauty brand accused of dirty tactics over trademark infringement

Fusion Brands International (FBI), which manufactures products under the trademark CLEAN, has filed a lawsuit against a fellow beauty manufacturer claiming trademark infringement.

Which? exposes inaccurate SPFs on popular sunscreens

UK consumer watchdog Which? has issued a report raising alarm over inconsistency in sunscreen industry guidelines.

News in brief

'Toxic' shampoo kills fish and gets journalist into hot water

'Shampoo contains toxic chemicals' was the hypothesis Danish journalist Lisbeth Kloester wanted to prove when she added an anti-dandruff product to a tank full of fish on live TV.

US color cosmetics player targets small Indian cities

Jordana Cosmetics has struck up a distribution agreement that will see its range of color cosmetic products available in the growing Indian market for the first time.

Gillette promotes intimate shaving on YouTube

Gillette is harnessing the power and reach of YouTube and social media websites to promote intimate male shaving.

Modiface launches five ‘virtual makeover’ applications for iPhone

Technology company Modiface has released five cosmetic makeover applications for the Apple iPhone, allowing consumers to try out new looks without any physical effort.

Skin lightening candidates found in Iranian plants

Extracts from plants used in traditional medicine could have skin lightening potential, according to scientists in Iran.

News in brief

Fribad Cosmetics Group declares bankruptcy

German company Fribad Cosmetics Group has declared bankruptcy after it was unable to pay its 241 employees in April.

Major retailer launches private label organic range

Leading UK health retailer, Holland and Barrett, has launched a range of private label organic cosmetics called Dr Organic.

CosmeticsDesign.com acquired by William Reed Business Media

Decision News Media, publisher of CosmeticsDesign.com, CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com and 15 other websites serving the international food, nutrition, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, has been acquired by the leading UK business-to-business publisher William Reed Business Media.

Revlon announces 400 job losses worldwide

New York-based Revlon has announced restructuring plans that will result in 400 job losses worldwide.

Weekly comment

Cosmetics industry cannot afford to ignore ethical claims

As more and more cosmetics companies gain kudos thanks to increasingly rigorous ethical sourcing and trading claims, companies that ignore the phenomenon stand to lose out.

Coty cleans up at Fragrance Foundation FiFi awards

Paris Hilton, Sean John and beauty company Coty were among the winners at this year’s Fragrance Foundation FiFi awards.

Diamond Packaging receives green certification

Diamond Packaging has earned Forest Stewardship Council Chain-of-Custody (FSC) certification from the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood program.

Leading Japanese CoQ10 supplier to exit market

One of the leading global suppliers of CoQ10 – Japan’s Asahi Kasei Pharma – has said it is exiting the market by the end of the year, citing “continuing unprofitability”.