Indie Insights: How Nudora is redefining plant-based wellness for women
This month’s column explores how plant-based probiotic brand Nudora is filling gaps in women’s health and challenging stigma with scientifically backed solutions.
Brand innovation
Key takeaways from Mintel’s ‘Future of Colour Cosmetics’ global webinar
From long-wear hybrids to biotech pigments, Mintel’s recent webinar outlines the product features and suppliers’ strategies shaping the future of the global color cosmetics category.
Must Read: The top 5 CDU articles of Q3 2025
From Youthforia’s shutdown to OTC reform and California’s plastics law, these were the most-read CosmeticsDesign US stories shaping the beauty industry in Q3 2025.
Suntory’s KIZEN eyes growing men’s skin care market in US
Suntory-owned men’s skin care brand KIZEN seeks to answer the rising demand among US male consumers for skin care that delivers “maximum impact with minimal effort”.
10 new packaging innovations seen at Luxe Pack
When it comes to spotting the latest technology and breakthroughs in beauty packaging, Luxe Pack Monaco is the place to be. Here, we round up some of the new launches that caught our attention at this year’s show.
Video: Kelp CoLab offers R&D boost for cosmetics innovators
GreenWave’s program is designed to bridge the gap between kelp potential and the development of cosmetic and personal care products.
September Launch Pad: Strategic shelves & science-backed skin care
This month’s launches showcase a blend of biotech-driven innovation, teen-focused skin care, and retail rollouts designed to meet evolving consumer demand.
La Mer partners Salk Institute to advance research in cellular energy, inform future NPD
La Mer is supporting Salk Institute to advance research in cellular energy and age-related function, in the hope of redefining healthy ageing and fuelling breakthroughs in product innovation.
Sustainable packaging startup launches ‘first fully home-compostable pipette dropper’ for beauty packaging
Shellworks’ innovation is designed to address one of the most persistent technical challenges in the cosmetic packaging industry.
7 beauty marketing campaigns that made headlines in September
Brand activations, product updates, and partnerships defined this month’s marketing moves.
‘You can’t retrofit skin care’: Why this indie brand is betting on high-pressure processing biotech
Food-grade technology and in-house R&D are helping HPPY Skin rethink antioxidant formulation, founder Hannah Penn told CosmeticsDesign.
K-Beauty World expands to Latin America via Ulta Mexico
The K-Beauty World retail platform is bringing a curated lineup of Korean skin care brands to Ulta Beauty Mexico, expanding its footprint after a successful US launch in July 2025.
Biotech targets men’s skin with exosome-based skin delivery system
Developed in-house by US-based men’s skin care brand Caldera + Lab, the system is designed for deeper penetration for targeted efficacy.
Indie Insights: How Bend Beauty is building a future in ingestible beauty with sustainable science
Education and storytelling drive consumer trust in ingestible beauty, according to Marc St-Onge, founder of Bend Beauty.
Ecovia launches new award to spotlight Sustainability Start-Ups in beauty sector
A new award category, aimed at recognizing early-stage innovation, is being introduced at this year’s Sustainable Beauty Awards as Ecovia Intelligence.
AI and biotech to take centre stage at sustainability summit
Here’s why green tech is high on the agenda for this year’s Sustainable Cosmetics Summit...
Neutrogena taps Haut.AI to boost digital skin care personalization push
In a sign of how far AI skin diagnostics have come, and how fast expectations are rising, Neutrogena has relaunched its Skin360 platform with a behind-the-scenes upgrade: clinical-grade skin analysis delivered entirely through a smartphone camera.
Skin Moderne targets gut–skin axis and cellular health in nutricosmetic debut
With the launch of i/O Beauti, Skin Moderne joins a growing group of beauty brands embracing clinically aligned nutrition strategies—this time, with tributyrin and spermidine at its core.
Brazil’s Atlantic Forest becomes hub for IFF’s ingredient discovery
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (IFF) is expanding its footprint in natural ingredient innovation through a new partnership with Reservas Votorantim (RV) at Legado das Águas, Brazil’s largest private Atlantic Forest reserve.
Ready Set Jet breaks the atmosphere with space-certified beauty
Indie beauty brand Ready Set Jet has officially entered a new orbit, becoming the first skin care and cosmetics brand to be certified for space travel, according to the company.
Mintel: Beauty brands blend nostalgia with modern ease for fall ’25
Vintage glamour, gothic revival, and “out of season” pastels are trending - what cues can beauty manufacturers take from this season’s biggest trends?
NatureWell’s lip collection hits 3,000 Walmart stores
NatureWell, a skin care brand under AX Beauty Brands, has introduced a new line of lip care products as part of its broader strategy to position itself at the intersection of wellness and affordability.
Vital Proteins serves up collagen at the US Open
The Nestlé Health Science-owned brand showcased its latest launch, the Collagen & Protein Shake, as the tennis championship’s first-ever “Official Collagen Partner.”
August Launch Pad: Precision treatments and trend-forward formulas
Celebrity brand expansions, skin care formulations for the unique needs of Gen Z and Gen A consumers, and drops from major brands like Neutrogena and Cetaphil characterized this month’s NPD roundup.
Inside the rise of fandom-fuelled beauty brand partnerships
Beauty brand collaborations are booming – and licensing is at the heart of it. From Harry Potter bath bombs to Minecraft makeup, discover why fandom, nostalgia and strategic partnerships are driving innovation and growth in the cosmetics industry. And...
Across the CD-Verse: August 2025
This monthly snapshot of the latest CosmeticsDesign coverage from around the world includes regional retail launches, trend research and analysis, and regulatory insights.
Is Gen X the beauty industry’s power consumer? NIQ report says yes
With Gen X responsible for 25% of total beauty spend in 2025, the data shows that “winning strategies must align with real market dynamics, addressing the distinct preferences of this diverse and ever-changing consumer group,” said Tara James Taylor,...
Video: Qore CEO explains how QIRA is bringing bio-based innovation to beauty
Cargill and HELM’s venture aims to make the eco-friendly ingredient more accessible to stakeholders in the US cosmetics and personal care product industries.
Keratin breakthrough promises sustainable tooth enamel repair
It appears that toothpaste made from hair could repair teeth. Researchers from London’s King’s College have revealed more in a new clinical study...
Indie Insights: Building brand loyalty through origin narratives
How does an indie beauty brand founder integrate their personal history into brand identity? Bed Head co-founder Kyara Mascolo tells CDU how she wove her story into the launch of new brand Freakin’ Genius.
Neurocosmetics: A ‘paradigm shift’ for dermatology and cosmetic science
A new clinical study has investigated the potential of neurocosmetics, concluding that it “signals a paradigm shift within dermatology and cosmetic science,” which also brings many complexities for future NPD.
Q&A: How an influencer-led product launch came to life
As the landscape for celebrity beauty brands continues to shift, social media influencers are stepping in to fill the gaps.
Farm to formulation: Dyson drops second hair care range powered by omega-rich blend
Dyson has launched its second-ever hair care range formulated with a proprietary blend of seven omega-rich oils, including an ingredient grown on its farms, marking a new milestone for the company.
Patented enzymatic complex offers alternative to traditional surfactants
Developed in partnership with Harvard Medical School researchers, Delavie Sciences has announced the launch of a new proprietary ingredient, Hydrolytic Enzyme Complex (HEC), for high-performance cleansing and exfoliation without compromising skin barrier...
Vital Proteins expands into functional beverage market with brand-first RTD product
The launch reflects the brand’s shift toward multifunctional formats that align with growing consumer interest in collagen delivered through convenient, food and beverage-based applications.
Debut’s plant cell tech offers eco-friendly fragrance solution
The biotech company’s new platform has launched with the rare ingredient orris.
From Paddington to Smurfs: Retro childhood favourites drive beauty innovation
More beauty and personal care brands are partnering with licensed brands for new product launches, and one current trend is to collaborate with retro kids’ shows. We look at some of the launches in this space.
Q&A: NanoSpun’s live-cell platform brings on-demand biotech to skin care
The Israel-based startup is applying biofabrication methods to consumer skin care, raising new considerations for stability, efficacy, and production.
Dove launches menopause wellness range on Amazon
The new menopause collection from Dove is targeting unmet skin care needs for women over age 45.
Across the CD-Verse: July 2025
This roundup highlights the global regulatory actions, innovative ingredient launches, and compelling trend analyses dominating the beauty and personal care industry news cycle.
July Launch Pad: Fresh tech and fun formulations
From spicule serums to strawberry toothpaste, these July launches prioritize performance without sacrificing play.
Behind the R&D: Developing a regulatory-compliant biodegradable micropowder for color cosmetics
Esmeri CC1N10 illustrates how cellulose ester chemistry is being adapted to meet performance and sustainability targets in cosmetics.
Sephora US and Lyft drive beauty shopping with “phygital” retail campaign
This month, Sephora US launched its ‘Delivered to Beauty’ omnichannel marketing campaign, designed to strengthen the role of brick-and-mortar stores in an increasingly digital beauty retail landscape.
Goodbye ‘lipstick effect.’ Hello comfort capital
With nearly four in 10 U.S. adults spending less on beauty and personal care, some brands are launching products with emotional appeal that offer the perception of a small-scale indulgence to compensate, according to recent Mintel data.
Dossier tests physical retail with NYC boutique and Paperscent stations
Following DTC and pop-up success, the viral fragrance brand and Gen Z favorite has opened its first permanent retail space with plans for further expansion.
Next-gen photoprotection: Scientific review calls for broader sunscreen strategies
Researchers urged formulation overhaul to address blue light, IRA, and cellular-level damage with sustainable solutions and advanced delivery systems.
NIQ report highlights key innovation drivers in beauty, health, and wellness for 2025
A decisive shift toward social-first launches, omnichannel fulfillment, and wellness-aligned personal care are just some of the key takeaways from NIQ’s 2025 Beauty, Health, and Wellness Innovation Report.
OLLY launches ‘Mood + Skin’ line for emotional wellness
Experts from Beautystreams and Spate say the launch highlights the shift towards ‘psycare’
Indie Insights: The impact of being a woman-led indie beauty brand
How are female entrepreneurs driving innovation in indie beauty? The sister duo behind NCLA Beauty tells us how to lead with clarity, resilience, and an understanding of today’s consumer values.
RoC Skincare taps longevity science for emotional and clinical gains
The brand aims to align emotional wellness with skin health by funding research on biological aging and embracing a holistic innovation model.