September Launch Pad: Strategic shelves & science-backed skin care

A monthly review of noteworthy product launches in the cosmetics and personal care spaces.

This month’s launches showcase a blend of biotech-driven innovation, teen-focused skin care, and retail rollouts designed to meet evolving consumer demand.

Space Camp Wellness makes retail debut at Target with exclusive Berry Stardust lip balm

USDA-certified organic lip balm brand Space Camp Wellness is now available in Target stores nationwide, offering a new flavor, Berry Stardust, exclusively at the retailer. “Just a year after our online launch, we’re making our retail debut in one of the nation’s largest retailers,” said founder Nick Sturniolo, in the brand’s press release.

The Target launch also marks the first time fans can buy individual lip balms, alongside returning flavors Wild Cherry and Sweet Vanilla. Known for its jumbo-sized balms and playful approach to lip care, the brand is “redefining what it means to care for lips—and beyond.”

Products are available now in Target stores and online at Target.com for $9.99.

Mooncat debuts Fall 2025 ‘Danse Macabre’ nail lacquer collection

Indie nail brand Mooncat unveiled its Fall 2025 collection, Danse Macabre, this month, featuring eight new lacquers where “goth meets ballet core.” According to the brand, the launch is “set beneath the unforgiving glare of the spotlight,” blending magnetic, thermal, and micro-holographic finishes.

Shades include Heart on a Platter ($14), a deep red linear holographic lacquer, and Requiem for Swan ($16), a black polish with translucent flakes and micro-holographic glitter. The collection emphasizes visual drama and multidimensional effects, aligning with seasonal trends, and Mooncat’s latest release continues its push into concept-driven, high-impact formulations for the nail category.

Mooncat’s Danse Macabre set is now available on the company’s website, and the full set retails for $119.00.

Beekman 1802 launches Pistachio & Dark Cherry scent with microbiome-friendly fragrance tech

Beekman 1802 has introduced Pistachio & Dark Cherry, a new holiday-ready scent powered by its proprietary Z-Biome technology. The fragrance blends “toasted almond and caramel… with rich cherry and creamy coconut, all wrapped in warm vanilla and amber,” according to the brand’s press release.

Available in top-selling SKUs such as Milk Shake Body, Whipped Body Cream, and Hand & Body Wash, the launch expands Beekman’s portfolio of microbiome-supportive body care products. “Powered by goat milk and enriched with prebiotics, proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals,” the formula is designed to promote nourished, balanced skin.

Gift sets and full-size products are available now on the company’s website.

Sally Hansen drops Stranger Things-inspired limited-edition nail collection

Sally Hansen has launched a limited-edition Stranger Things collection, featuring eight new Insta-Dri shades and Salon Effects Perfect Press-Ons inspired by the show’s supernatural themes. “This Stranger Things nail polish line features bold shades, high shine, and crackle finishes inspired by the show’s iconic moments and supernatural themes,” according to the brand’s press release.

Crackle-effect polishes like Rift, Between Worlds, and Nether mirror the show’s eerie rift visuals, while glow-in-the-dark and high-impact crème shades round out the lineup. Press-on nails in The Final Battle design add a metallic red-drip effect for a spooky finish.

The collection is available now at select retailers, SallyHansen.com, and Amazon.com, with price points starting at $7.99.

K18 and Future Society launch biotech-powered hair mask with extinct flower DNA scent

K18 has partnered with biotech fragrance house Future Society to launch the Floating Forest Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, the brand’s first-ever scent collaboration. “By fusing this breakthrough in forgotten scents with our expertise in molecular repair, we’ve created an experience where biotech doesn’t just restore – it elevates,” said Suveen Sahib, K18 Co-Founder and CEO, in K18’s press release.

The limited-edition product combines K18’s K18PEPTIDE damage-repair technology with Floating Forest, a scent recreated from the DNA of an extinct rainforest tree. “This collaboration is a blueprint for the future of beauty: biotech delivering extraordinary performance, while reconnecting us to health, nature, and self-expression,” added Jasmina Aganovic, Future Society CEO.

Available now via Sephora.com, K18hair.com, and wearefuturesociety.com for $75.00, with in-store availability at Sephora beginning October 3.

BIRKENSTOCK expands Care Essentials with new full-body product range

BIRKENSTOCK has extended its CARE ESSENTIALS line beyond foot care with a new body care range made from 100% natural-origin ingredients and developed in Germany. “With the expansion of the CARE ESSENTIALS line into body care, we’re naturally extending the unique formula’s use cases—bringing our philosophy to the entire body,” said Quentin Ojeda, Director of BIRKENSTOCK Cosmetics, in the company’s press release.

The launch includes dual-purpose Hand and Body Wash and Lotion in Relaxing and Balancing formats, offering a minimalist, gender-neutral approach to everyday wellness rituals. Products are vegan-certified, COSMOS-Natural-certified, and formulated without sulfates.

The products are available now on the company’s website.

Sincerely Yours launches teen skincare brand exclusively at Sephora

New skincare brand Sincerely Yours has launched exclusively in 384 Sephora stores and online at Sephora.com, offering clean, dermatologist-developed products designed specifically for developing skin. “We created Sincerely Yours to help teens to embrace who they are, not get lost in comparison,” said co-founder Jordan Matter in the company’s press release.

Backed by Strand Equity and co-created with a Teen Advisory Board, the line includes four SKUs featuring the brand’s Barrier Friendly Formula with time-release hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides. All products are Sephora Clean certified, vegan, and clinically tested for sensitive skin.

Prices range from $22 to $28 and are available now.