We’re back with another installment of our curated headlines from across the CD-Verse. From financial investments to a US brand that launched its products into space, September 2025 proved to be an exciting month in the beauty space.
CosmeticsDesign APAC
In the APAC region, financial investments, beauty tech launches, and one brand’s push to expand its presence in the natural hair care space caught our attention this month.
Blackstone invests into K-hair giant JUNO on the back of ‘explosive global demand’
The US-headquartered alternative asset management firm announced its definitive agreement with JUNO, one of South Korea’s most prominent premium hair services and hair care brand, on September 2.
Although the investment sum was not disclosed, Blackstone told CosmeticsDesign-Asia to take reference from a report on Bloomberg, which mentioned that the company is buying a majority stake in JUNO in a deal valuing the company at about KRW800bn (USD575m).
EVERSOFT drops shampoo range targeted at SEA concerns, touts hair care as growth pillar
Following the release of its Organic Haircare range in 2020, EVERSOFT has continuously gathered consumer feedback and studied evolving hair care needs to formulate the newly launched Nature’s Therapy line.
“With the launch of Nature’s Therapy, we’re strengthening our position in the hair care space by bringing in more targeted, results-driven products while staying true to our philosophy of nature-inspired therapy. It represents not just a continuation, but an evolution of our commitment to everyday natural care,” Joanne Tan, head of marketing & e-commerce at EVERSOFT, told CosmeticsDesign-Asia.
Japan study highlights cosmetic and therapeutic potential of multifunctional PEG lipid
The research found that GDS-23 activated key molecular pathways in skin cells and a three-dimensional (3D) epidermal model, leading to higher expression of proteins critical for hydration and structural integrity.
For manufacturers and suppliers, the multifunctionality of GDS-23 could be particularly appealing. As a PEG lipid, its ability to combine the stability and delivery advantages of niosomes with intrinsic skin health benefits could make it a potential next-generation cosmetic active.
The authors suggested that with interest in multifunctional ingredients growing, GDS-23 could offer formulators a way to combine delivery efficiency with direct biological activity.
3CE ‘democratizes’ personal color trend through AI-powered tool on Shopee
This year, 3CE expanded its regional presence with the launch of official stores on Shopee across five markets, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The brand recently introduced an AI-powered personal color diagnostic tool on the e-commerce platform, claiming to be the first Korean makeup brand to so do.
“This AI-powered tool is trained with a neural network to find the right parts of the face and read their colors from a photo. These color measurements are then mapped to a personal color diagnosis using the expert framework that 3CE co‑developed with a Korean personal color specialist,” Karan Kansal, 3CE General Manager for South Asia Pacific, Middle East & North Africa, told CosmeticsDesign-Asia.
CosmeticsDesign EMEA
Across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, CosmeticsDesign explored some of the trends driving industry growth and regulations impacting R&D strategy.
New palm oil alternative from CO₂ could transform cosmetic supply chains
After years of research using modern biotechnology, the Mibelle Group, LanzaTech, and Fraunhofer IGB have developed a palm-oil-free fat from CO₂, offering a new option for cosmetics formulators and brands who want to replace palm oil in their products.
To develop the new technology, the three organizations said they have combined two successive fermentation processes to convert CO₂ into a palm-oil-free fat blend. They claim that the resulting fat is so similar to palm oil that it could replace tropical oils in many future applications.
Morocco bans TPO in nail products amid EU regulatory shift
In an official statement, the Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AMMPS) has announced an immediate ban on nail products containing Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO). The prohibition covers the marketing, manufacturing, importation, distribution, and use of all cosmetic products containing this substance.
“The beauty industry must immediately cease using products containing TPO and ensure these are no longer offered to clients,” AMMPS stated.
Middle East beauty market embraces clean & conscious innovation
The Middle East is a burgeoning beauty market. A report from Euromonitor International estimated that the beauty and personal care market in the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region would reach around $60 bn by the end of 2025.
Despite its focus on luxury, this market is starting to place a growing emphasis on sustainable NPD, driven by consumer demand, regulatory evolution, and innovation.
Vichy unveils longevity-led skincare and haircare at EADV
According to the brand, hair loss is now the second most common concern among dermatology patients worldwide, and the Dercos REGEN Booster promotes an average of 167 new hairs per day.
These products mark a shift in how Vichy approaches ageing – as part of a bigger move toward “skin and hair longevity,” with formulas rooted in dermatology, stem cell science, and years of clinical testing.
CosmeticsDesign Americas
Across the Americas, research dominated the headlines in September 2025, including a toxicology assessment of a sunscreen ingredient, a consumer trend analysis, and a breakthrough study on a naturally derived anti-aging peptide.
Mintel: US skin care innovation slows, K-beauty brands capitalize
Many US brands, faced with rising costs and more cautious shoppers, have scaled back their product pipelines over the past few years. That’s created breathing room for Korean skin care companies, “which continue to deliver frequent, innovative launches with strong storytelling and science-backed claims,” Andrew McDougall, beauty and personal care research director at Mintel, told CosmeticsDesign.
For US manufacturers and suppliers, “the risk is loss of market share and consumer loyalty,” he explained, “as shoppers seek out more exciting, effective products.”
Ready Set Jet breaks the atmosphere with space-certified beauty
The brand’s biotech-infused, dual-ended Beauty Batons were launched aboard Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station on June 25, following 14 months of aerospace testing.
Space certification required more than concept validation. The products had to meet strict engineering and safety standards, typically applied to aerospace equipment.
Sergio Lucero, COO at Stellar Access and former NASA engineer, told CosmeticsDesign U.S. that the evaluation involved “material safety and spacecraft compatibility for handling of the products in space by the astronaut crew,” along with tests for “off-gassing and chemical stability,” and resistance to “pressure, vibration, radiation, and thermal stress.”
‘Avobenzone is safe,’ says toxicology assessment
The findings, published this month in Critical Reviews in Toxicology, arrive at a critical time for North American manufacturers, suppliers, and regulatory stakeholders as the FDA continues its ongoing review of sunscreen ingredients.
“For brands and formulators, this review further validates avobenzone’s role as a cornerstone of broad-spectrum UV protection,” Dr. Kimberly Norman, PCPC’s senior director of safety and regulatory toxicology and lead author on the study, told CosmeticsDesign.
Columbian study finds kiwi fruit-derived enzyme can yield promising anti-aging peptides
Led by researchers from Universidad Santiago de Cali, Universidad de Antioquia, and Universidad Nacional de Colombia and funded by the Dirección General de Investigaciones of Universidad Santiago de Cali, the research explored the use of actinidin to generate bioactive peptides with potential cosmetic applications.
The researchers emphasized that the study is an early-stage investigation and that further validation is needed. According to the authors, “future studies should focus on in vivo validation, skin permeation assays, and advanced peptide characterization to guide formulation scalability and clinical relevance.”
