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

SkinEthic's non-animal skin irritation test gains ECVAM validation

A new skin irritation test from SkinEthic Laboratories has been validated for use by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods.

Fenchem enjoys growth and eyes further expansion

China-based ingredients maker Fenchem says it will continue its expansion into cosmetics ingredients, having announced a 35 per cent increase in its annual revenue.

Controversy, regulation and finance lead list of most read stories in 2008

Controversial ingredients and regulatory developments topped the list of the most read stories in 2008 with economic news creeping in at the tail end of the year.

Molecule shape affects smell perception, says study

Changing the shape of the molecules that create fragrances in a flower or fruit may influence our perception of their smell, according to a new study.

Nanotech encapsulated peptide anti-aging cream launched

The US market is about to witness the launch of a nanotechnology encapsulated anti-aging skin care system that has already hit other major global markets.

Bioplastics will become more price competitive, say manufacturers

Producers and packaging associations claim investment will drive improvements to cost, performance and moisture barrier properties of bioplastics and will enable the industry to compete more effectively with conventional plastics.

Video season's greetings from Decision News Media

The Decision News Media team would like to bring you its seasonal greetings in person and show you around the offices.

Triclosan, phthalates and parabens repeatedly criticised in 2008

Questions over the safety of a number of cosmetic ingredients have taken centre stage this year with phthalates, parabens and triclosan, all taking their turn in the spotlight.

Weekly comment

Beware, the lipstick factor will not protect all

With everyone banging on about how well positioned the personal care market is in the current economic downturn, it might be easy to imagine that the sector will have a relatively soft ride. But will it?

Scandal and science lead the list of the most read stories of 2008

Industry scandal, scientific controversy and new ingredient trends dominated the most read stories on CosmeticsDesign.com in 2008.

Call for more research into phthalate health risks

More research is needed into the health effects of exposure to phthalates from different sources, according to a report from the National Research Council.

L'Oreal heiress seeks to reassure staff

The largest shareholder in L’Oreal has sought to reassure staff that she is of sound mind after giving away a sizable portion of her estimated $23bn fortune to a celebrated photographer.

The industry and all things green in 2008

The year has seen the strengthening of all things green in both the political and public consciousness. However, how is the cosmetics industry reacting to these shifting ideals and principles?

Symrise launches multifunctional cosmetic ingredient

Symrise has launched a new cosmetic ingredient that works as a moisturiser, fragrance and antimicrobial agent.

Brazil market growth slows but remains industry leading

The Brazilian personal care market continues to grow at breakneck speed, but as the economic slow-down kicks in, the growth rate is edging off.

Industry defends use of antioxidants in skincare

Recent research that questioned the potential of antioxidants to fight against aging has elicited a number of reactions from the industry, questioning the relevance of the findings to human skin.

Greyson International readies licensing agreement and product launch

Development and marketing company Greyson International says it is on course to sign a licensing agreement for its Trilexon delivery system and is readying a new product.

SCC annual meeting examines advances in cosmetic science

The 2008 SCC Annual Scientific Meeting glimpsed into the future of cosmetics, exploring the potential of scientific advances such as tissue engineering to revolutionize beauty treatments.

Natural formulators should take care to avoid pre-market contamination

Formulators using natural ingredients should pay particular attention to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to avoid contamination of their products prior to market.

HairDX's international expansion takes in Japan

HairDX, a provider of genetic tests for baldness, is looking to international markets and the medical sector for future growth.

California outlines final recommendations on green chemistry

California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) has released the final policy recommendations for the Green Chemistry Initiative (GCI) to establish a new framework for chemical legislation.

Momentive slashes jobs as downturn bites

Silicone specialist Momentive says it is cutting 250 full-time jobs worldwide as part of restructuring and cost savings.

Beauty PR firm makes ingredient predictions for 2009

Pierce Mattie PR has unveiled its predictions for the top 10 beauty ingredients set to hit the big time in 2009.

Alban Muller launches online plant encyclopedia

Alban Muller is launching an online encyclopedia for beauty and food professionals featuring technical information on 250 plants.

Personal care category bucks US consumer goods trend

Despite consumer goods prices falling by a record 1.7 percent in November, retail prices for the personal care category are holding their own, according to US government statistics.

Biopharmacopae secures investment to launch cosmeceuticals line

Biopharmacopae Design International says it has secured investment capital from Aviro Ventures to help it commercialize a new cosmeceuticals platform.

Mintel uncovers sharp rise in male beauty launches

Personal care products for men are flooding the shelves and launches are becoming increasingly adventurous as the market matures, according to Mintel.

Web presence is important for overall success of a company

Improving a consumer's experience of a website can help both online and offline sales, according to a recent study published by ForeSee Results.

Stila Cosmetics targets growth with CEO appointment

Color cosmetics provider Stila Cosmetics has appointed Deanna Kangas as CEO, as part of moves to further grow the brand.

Teri Hatcher counter-sues Hydroderm, and wins

American Hollywood A-lister Teri Hatcher has hit back at skin care company Hydroderm, counter-suing over claims that she did not fulfill contractual obligations to promote the brand.

News in brief

Lush expands retail outs in the United States

British natural cosmetics provider Lush is increasing its footprint in the US, having recently opened two new stores in Pittsburgh.

L’Oreal cuts 500 jobs in US

L’Oréal will be cutting 500 hundred jobs in the US before mid 2009 in an attempt to streamline its activities.

News in brief

Dow Corning releases silicon resin wax

Dow Corning claims that its new silicon resin wax will help products stand out in an increasingly competitive market.

Comment

Recession presents cosmetics firms with opportunities

To navigate through the economic gloom, cosmetics companies should turn to Austrian economist Josef Schumpeter who once compared the Great Depression to a ‘good cold shower’.

Datamonitor features beauty foods in top ten trend list for 2009

In a survey of the top ten packaged goods trends, Datamonitor has tipped beauty foods for success in the coming year.

Plant-based ingredients may have a future in sun protection

Plant-based compounds with antioxidant properties are likely to be playing an increasingly important role in the sun care of the future.

Sara Lee outsources as part of restructuring bid

Global consumer goods player Sara Lee say it is outsourcing parts of its North American and European finance, information and procurement services as part of its restructuring.

Coty plan Faith Hill fragrance release for holiday next year

Singer Faith Hill is the latest celebrity to join the fold at New York-based fragrance company Coty.

P&G downgrades quarterly sales targets

Procter & Gamble says it is still on course to increase organic sales during the October-December quarter, but says growth will be below original estimates.

Jeen International granted US patent for non-crosslinked silicone copolymers

Jeen International has been granted a US patent covering its Jeeslic PS Series of silicone copolymers as part of a drive by the company to gain worldwide protection for the ingredients.

Ecoflation could hit companies hard in the future

Companies already struggling in the current economic climate will soon have to contend with a new phenomenon, ecoflation, according to a study by ATKearney.

News in brief

MWV appoints ex-Alcan manager to head up personal and beauty care

MeadWestvaco (MWV) has appointed former Alcan manager Thomas Jonas as the head of its Personal and Beauty Care business.

Pressure group targets holiday season fragrance sales

The Campaign For Safe Cosmetics is targeting holiday season fragrance sales as a means of bringing attention to its concerns over unsafe cosmetics ingredients.

Fungal polysaccharides hold skin moisturising potential

New research supports the use of a biopolymer duo in moisturising and anti-aging products.

Head of cosmetics trade association steps down

Pamela Bailey is stepping down as head of the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) to become the new president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA).

National Research Council report slams government strategy on nanomaterials

The National Research Council (NRC) has found serious weaknesses in the government strategy for managing the risks posed by nanomaterials in consumer goods.

Dermatologists recommend vitamin D supplements

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is backing efforts to encourage increased consumption of vitamin D through food and dietary supplements.

Weekly comment

Industry must improve antioxidant marketing or face consumer backlash

One of the cosmetics industry’s favourite marketing taglines took a beating this week. The attack on antioxidants was in response to work published by researchers at University College London, who are questioning the long-held belief in the oxidative theory of ageing.

Tri-K's short fling with new name comes to an end

Not even a year after the company first changed its name, Kemira Specialty has reverted back to its original moniker Tri-K.

Bell Ventures uses standardized markers to sell antioxidant ingredient

Bell Ventures has launched an antioxidant-rich ingredient that appeals to standardized outcome markers to differentiate itself in the crowded natural skin care market.

Eveline builds on US presence with range for women of color

Eveline Cosmetics is building on its presence in the US market with the launch of a claimed industry first, an organic line aimed at ‘women of color’.

Organic and green products tipped for highest eco-beauty growth in NPD study

Organic and green products hold the most promise in the eco-beauty market, according to an NPD study on Natural-Organic trends.

Ulta Salon profits up despite retail market slow-down

US cosmetics and fragrance retailer Ulta Salon says that its profits held up well for the most recent quarter, but the company downgrades expectations as storm clouds gather.

Avon plays on our fascination with fame

Avon has taken a different stance on celebrity fragrances with its new offering Spotlight, promoted by Courteney Cox.

FDA panel recommends glaucoma drug for approval as an eyelash enhancer

An FDA advisory panel has recommended an eyelash enhancing drug for approval that was originally conceived as a treatment for glaucoma.

Green cosmetics range cites plant extract in photoaging fight

Skin 2 Skin Care has announced the launch of a photoagaing repair cream that relies on Kinetin N6 plant extract to provide anti-aging properties.

Coty and Puig extend partnership with fragrance deal

Puig Beauty and Fashion Group is turning once again to Coty to distribute its Antonio Banderas fragrance lines in the US.

US companies dominate top 10 global personal care players

Procter & Gamble continues to extend its lead in the list of the top ten publicly traded global personal care players, according to their performances in 2007.

Future for green pack design may lie in the past

With a seemingly endless number of halls pushing greener solutions at this year’s Emballage trade show, one possible future for packaging could be in looking to the past and getting back to design basics.

Cosmetics companies encouraged to share benefits with indigenous communities

The Union for Ethical BioTrade has pledged to encourage the cosmetics and personal care industry to adhere to the benefit sharing principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

FDA review says glaucoma drug enhances eyelashes

FDA has confirmed that a drug originally designed to treat the eye condition glaucoma appears to make eyelashes longer and thicker.

High demand leads Stiefel Laboratories to expand skin care line

Tapping into demand for post-operative cosmetic procedure treatments, Stiefel Laboratories is expanding its Revaleskin skin care line with three new products.

Cosmetics giants investigated for price fixing in Switzerland

Swiss competition authorities (COMCO) are investigating some of the world’s largest cosmetic companies for possible price fixing.

MAC to launch Dame Edna range of cosmetics

Ground-breaking cosmetics company MAC is about to launch a range of eye-catching color cosmetics created by candy-floss haired Dame Edna Everage.

P&G positions Pantene as affordable alternative to salon brands

Procter and Gamble is hoping to kick start one of its weaker sectors with an aggressive campaign focusing on one of its leading hair care brands.

Panel criticizes FDA over sunscreen regulation

A panel including Congressman Nita Lowey and Ciba Corporation has called on the FDA to speed up approval of UV filters and tighten up regulations on sunscreens.

Lubrizol highlights its latest hair styling innovations

Active ingredients supplier Lubrizol is giving a presentation at the forthcoming Society of Cosmetic Chemicts Annual Meeting to highlight its latest research into hair styling fixatives.

Lack of data makes TTC method inappropriate for cosmetics

The Threshold for Toxicological Concern (TTC) is not an applicable model for cosmetics ingredients, according to a recent report by three European Committees.

Hair follicle-counting software to aid hair care development

The Commonwealth Scientific Research Organization (CSIRO) has developed a software that will help hair care developers to track both hair loss and growth.

Scientists question whether oxidative damage really is the guilty party in aging

Oxidative damage may not be the major culprit in aging, according to researchers in London.

Johnson and Johnson moves into the market for cosmetic procedures

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is inflating its already sizable frame with the acquisition of breast implant specialist Mentor for $1.07bn.

Beauty industry must help men be men, says study

Beauty companies should help encourage men to be masculine, according to a cross-cultural beauty survey.

Test for skin cholesterol could have personalised skin care applications

Medical testing business preMD has launched a clinical trial with a global cosmetics company, focusing on its skin cholesterol test.

Ciba markets silver-based preservative for personal care

Pure Bioscience has partnered with Switzerland-based Ciba to help its silver-based anti-microbial ingredient conquer the personal care market.

Weekly comment

Should the US be taking note on European cosmetics regulation?

Last week’s announcement that the French government is mulling plans to introduce cosmetics labeling for mothers-to-be again raises the question of whether enough is being done to protect US consumers. So who should be taking responsibility – industry or the regulators?

Betty Beauty aims intimate hair care at men

Betty Beauty has carved out a risqué niche selling pubic hair dyes to adventurous women but unwilling to rest on its laurels the company plans to reach out to guys.