Breaking News on Cosmetics Formulation & Packaging - North America

Valois launches world's smallest fragrance dispenser

France-based Valois claims to have released the world’s smallest fragrance dispenser measuring less than 1 cm.

French minister calls safety of cosmetics for pregnant women into question

The French health authorities are considering a logo for cosmetic products that are not recommended for use by pregnant women and young children.

Mixing flavanoids with inorganic and organic filters can up sunscreen's protection, claims study

Combining natural-based substances such as flavanoids with more traditional inorganic and organic sunscreens can improve protection against UV rays, according to researchers in Brazil.

PCPC annual meeting focuses on impact of economic situation

The cosmetic consequences of the economic downturn will take centre stage at the annual meeting of the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC).

P Diddy pulls out all the stops for fragrance launch

The formidable P Diddy publicity machine has been wheeled out in support of his new ‘I am King’ fragrance.

Beauty market losing out to other consumer categories

The beauty market remains a safe bet, despite stronger evidence that the US economy has taken a downturn although its position is slipping.

Study backs oral HA for joint and skin health

High molecular weight hyaluronan from oral supplements does reach skin and joint tissues, supporting a role for the compound in such products, says a new study.

NPD studies the impact of age on make-up sales

Women change their makeup buying habits as they get older and turn their attention towards anti-aging, according to a NPD report.

Beiersdorf sells another brand to support cosmetics focus

Beiersdorf has shed health support brand Futuro to 3M in order to concentrate its energies on beauty and skin care.

Cosmetics set to boost market for natural polymers

The market for natural polymer ingredients is set to grow at market-leading rates as applications grow for a variety of cosmetic applications.

Inter Parfums downgrades estimates on strength of US dollar

Global fragrance player Inter Parfums says the continued strength of the dollar is likely to hamper full year financial results for its US-based oeprations.

Hopes for waste reduction as oxi-biodegradation technology applied to PET

A company specialising in oxi-biodegradable products is hoping to reduce waste in countries with traditionally low levels of recycling.

GeneLink expands genetic testing capabilities

Florida-based Genelink has entered into a collaborative service agreement to increase its research and development capabilities for DNA-based beauty care treatments.

Mintel identifies probiotics among the beauty ingredient trends for 2009

Consumers are familiar with the gut health claims attached to probiotics but now ‘friendly bacteria’ is joining the growing band of ingredients to embark on the journey from food to cosmetics, according to beauty trend analysis from Mintel.

Dabur India strengthens skin care with acquisition

India-based consumer goods company Dabur India is expanding its presence in the skin care market by taking a controlling stake in Fem Care Pharma.

News in brief

O.Berk company releases oval perfume bottles

The Cosmetic Packaging Group has launched a range of flint glass bottles designed for the perfume industry.

Scientists scrutinize sun seekers in study

Detailed research at a Hawaiian beach has broken down the sun seeker into three different groups with distinct skin types and attitudes to sun protection.

Maesa reports strong sales growth despite European dip

Contract manufacture Maesa has reported a 34.2 per cent increase in consolidated annual revenues to €33.356m despite reduced sales figures in Europe.

Partnership comes to fruition for Symrise

Symrise will be launching a range of natural active ingredients for cosmetics products in 2009, thanks to its collaboration with two biotechnology companies.

Sally Beauty wobbles at the end of a solid year

Sally Beauty Holdings has reported solid financial results for the fiscal year although profits failed to match the estimates of analysts.

Hand held anti-acne device hits Australian shelves

After making its mark on the US market, the hand held anti-acne device Thermaclear is being launched in Australian pharmacies.

Agricultural Research Service develops corn protein-based polymer

The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) says it has developed a new method of purifying zein corn protein which means it can be used as a cosmetics polymer.

Gillette launches value for money ad campaign

Gillette is defending itself against penny pinchers with an advertising campaign that emphasizes the affordability of Fusion blades.

Burdock fruit is the latest ingredient to join the fight against skin ageing

Burdock fruit extract holds potential as an anti-ageing ingredient according to scientists at Beiersdorf.

Sederma launches topical slimming solution

Paris-based active ingredients player Sederma has launched a topical slimming ingredient named Phytosonic that targets the problem of hypertrophy.

New Zealand company launches natural line in US

ecostore is taking its Antipodean natural-based personal care range to the United States, in the hope of tapping into huge growth in that market.

FDA should tighten labeling rules on dermal fillers, says panel

Consumers may not be fully informed of the potential dangers of wrinkle injections, according to an FDA panel.

FDA publishes letters to inform companies of labeling dangers

FDA has published fresh warning letters to tackle the problem of companies that incorrectly market their products as cosmetics.

Dow Corning launches aesthetic-enhancing silicone ingredient

Global personal care solutions provider Dow Corning has launched a volatile silicione fluid that is said to enhance the aesthetics of natural ingredients.

Allergen rethink called for at IFRA fragrance workshop

European regulations on skin allergens should be reconsidered, according to a leading authority on skin sensitization at an IFRA workshop on allergy prevalence in fragrance.

Intimate skin care specialists say awareness is on the up

Men are beginning to embrace the idea of skin care down there according the manufacturers of an intimate male moisturizer.

Babies’ foreskin dubbed as new anti-aging treatment

A British biomedical company, InterCytex, says it is aiming to bring its anti-aging and scar repairing product Vavelta to the US market.

Prince sued for not supporting fragrance promotion

Music star Prince has been sued by a Philadelphia-based fragrance manufacturer for failing to promote the 3121 perfume collection.

News in brief

Revlon extends loan terms to repay debts

Revlon has extended its $107m senior subordinated loan agreement with MacAndrews & Forbes in an effort to repay its term loan by August 2010.

Perfumers Choice Awards recognizes the best creations

Some of the world’s biggest fragrance manufacturers picked up the top prizes at this year’s Perfumers Choice Awards.

Fenchem ups cosmeceutical focus with carotenoids launch

China-based food and cosmetics ingredients provider Fenchem says it is increasing its cosmeceuticals focus with a newly launched carotenoid line.

Chemical giants open billion dollar silicone complex in China

Dow Corning and Wacker have joined forces to open silicone manufacturing facilities in China at the cost of around $1.2bn.

Photo-stability still a problem in sunscreens, says study

Photo-stability is still a problem for some sunscreen products according to a recent study from scientists in Italy.

Benefit Cosmetics fined over hazardous materials

San-Francisco-based Benefit Cosmetics has been fined a total of $350,000 for shipping hazardous materials by air without giving handlers proper training.

Urgent need for new testing and regulation for nanoparticles, says Royal Commission

Urgent action is needed to develop the testing and regulation of nanomaterials, according to a report from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

News in brief

IBR-dormin gains organic status from USDA

Israeli Biotechnology Research’s anti-ageing ingredient has gained organic status from the USDA.

Polish dermocosmetic market set on high growth path

Changing lifestyles and the shifting retail landscape are set to fuel continued high growth in the dermocosmetic market in Poland, according to a report from PMR Publications.

Symrise strengthens fine fragrances with new senior perfumer

Symrise has strengthened its fine fragrance team with the appointment of a new perfumer recruited from Givaudan’s ranks.

Cosmetic chemists gather in UK for SCS Formulate

The British Society of Cosmetic Chemists will be unveiling this year’s SCS Formulate Creating Cosmetics exhibition in Telford, UK, next week.

Peptide expert Helix BioMedix launches first finished product line

Bioactive peptide specialist Helix BioMedix has moved beyond the development of ingredients and brought out its own anti-aging line.

Size matters when it comes to nano in cosmetics, says consumer group

The FDA must recognise that the size of a particle may affect its behavior and call for compulsory safety testing and labelling of nanoparticles in cosmetics, according to a US consumer group.

Homeopathic beauty tipped for global success after legal breakthrough

Homeopathic remedies are often dismissed with sneers by the scientific community but current beauty trends and recent regulatory developments could put them firmly on the global cosmetics map.

RCP Therapeutics plans cosmeceutical venture following investment

RCP Therapeutics is set to recieve significant investment from a US-based venture capital firm which will lead to the spin off of a new company dedicated to cosmeceuticals.

Lipotec releases peptide ingredient to protect against UV damage

A tetrapeptide that offers protection against UV damage is the latest ingredient to join Lipotec’s Preventive Cosmetics portfolio.

Industry leaders gather to reward innovation at HBA Awards Dinner

The people behind the most innovative beauty products of the year came out of their laboratories and offices to receive the recognition they deserve at the HBA Industry Awards. NBC Today Show Style Editor Bobbie Thomas presented the awards ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York as part of HBA Global Expo.

Parlux hopes to attract young consumers with Marc Ecko fragrance

Marc Ecko Enterprises is the latest lifestyle brand to be added to the fold at Parlux fragrances.

News in brief

United-Guardian remains cautious despite strong results

United-Guardian has reported strong sales and profit growth in the third quarter but remains cautious about future financial performance.

Mintel unveils leading general consumer trends for 2009

Trust, affordability and fun are some of the values that companies should be aspiring to in increasingly uncertain times, according to Mintel.

Antioxidant cocktail could complement sunscreen use

Topical application of an antioxidant mixture can complement sunscreen use in order to protect the skin from UV damage, according to a new study.

Canadian pharmacy chain opens dedicated beauty store

Canadian pharmacy chain, Shoppers Drug Mart, unveiled the first of its new beauty stores in Ottawa this weekend.

IFF turns to food for fragrance inspiration

IFF is looking to the kitchen for inspiration in the quest to create new and original fragrances.

Paris placed firmly on the beauty map

The French capital will be taking its place at the heart of the beauty and perfumery industries during a festival programmed for autumn 2009.

Leading certifiers publish draft of harmonized natural and organic standard

The leading natural and organic certification bodies in Europe have published a harmonized standard that promises to break down trade barriers.

Dupont launches new overmoulding packaging technology

Dupont recently unveiled a new overmoulding cosmetic packaging technology at the Luxe Pack Exhibition in Monaco.

Industry and academia respond to Which? nanotech report

Which? has attracted both criticism and praise for its report on nanotechnology in cosmetics.

Honey Dew Skin Care extends maternity range

Tapping into the big rise in natural personal care ranges for babies and expectant mothers Honey Dew Skin Care is extending its prenatal range.

Elizabeth Arden reports loss but remains upbeat

Elizabeth Arden is the latest beauty company to have reduced its sales forecast in anticipation of sluggish consumer spending.

Parlux results paint a mixed picture

A sharp increase in sales led to a significant jump in net profits for the quarter, for Fort Lauderdale-based Parlux.

Evonik extends its personal care ingredients range

Evonik extends its personal care range with a number of new ingredients presented at In-Cosmetics Asia this week.

Cosmetics industry hides nanotechnology from consumers, according to report

Beauty companies are leaving consumers in the dark by not coming clean about nanotechnology, according to a recent Which? report.

Revlon bottom line benefits from sale of Brazilian brands

Revlon has moved further into the black this quarter helped by one off profits from the sale a Brazilian brand.

RCP Therapeutics expands presence in cosmeceuticals segment

UK company RCP Therapeutics says the acquisition of licensed technologies will help towards the global launch of an innovative cosmeceutical range.

Profits soar but sales slow at Physicians Formula

Physicians Formula has reported a substantial increase in profits for the third quarter although sales growth has stalled.

Fragrance oil depends on bacteria in the roots

A commonly used fragrance oil obtained from a tropical grass is dependent on the microbial communities present in the root of the plant, according to a recent study.

Flagship brand Nivea drives Beiersdorf results

Good performance from Nivea helped keep Beiersdorf’s results up although costs relating to its Chinese operations may affect profits before the year is out.

News in brief

Estée Lauder releases new feminine woody fragrance

Sensuous will be accompanied with a marketing campaign featuring the four Estée Lauder spokesmodels, Gwyneth Paltrow, Elizabeth Hurley, Hilary Rhoda and Carolyn Murphy.

Dr. Fresh acquires oral care brands from Ascendia Group

US personal care player Dr. Fresh has bought up three oral care brands – Binaca, Tek and Dentax – from the Ascendia Group.

CVS Caremark launches prestige beauty store

CVS Caremark has opened its first Beauty 360 store in Washington with more locations planned for the future.

Cosmetics science course applies foundation

The first-ever Canadian cosmetic sciences program has got underway at Durham College in Oshawa with the aim of inspiring future cosmetic scientists and entrepreneurs.

Amerchol launches polymers to boost UV protection

Amerchol will launch a family of UV protection boosting ingredients at In-Cosmetics Asia.

Bare Escentuals cuts forecast as sales growth slows

Shares in mineral cosmetics specialist Bare Escentuals have plummeted after the company slashed its forecast for the fiscal year.

Colgate reports strong results, bucking industry trend

Colgate has reported higher sales and profits, beating disappointing quarterly results from major competitors such as Unilever and Procter & Gamble.

Soil Association defends anti-nanotech stance

Soil Association has taken a stand against nanotechnology. Standards and Technical Director Francis Blake explains why the organic certifier said no to nano but is prepared to make exceptions.