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.
Marketing & social media
L’Oréal Group reinventing its travel retail with experiential beauty zones
Is travel retail the new beauty playground? L’Oréal thinks so...
7 beauty marketing campaigns that made headlines in September
Brand activations, product updates, and partnerships defined this month’s marketing moves.
Analysis: Barrier ingredients surpass retinol in consumer satisfaction
A comprehensive consumer review analysis from insights platform Yogi points to an ongoing shift in anti-aging skin care: while consumers still trust legacy actives like retinol and AHAs for visible results, growing concerns over skin irritation are...
The rise of the Wellness Index: How beauty’s small luxuries have evolved beyond lipstick
In this article, CDU guest author Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu, CSO and CEO of skin care brand AveSeena breaks down the evolution of the ‘Lipstick Index’ and the realignment of consumer indulgence in beauty.
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.
Autumn & winter beauty trends: what TikTok is telling cosmetics product developers
TikTok beauty trends are set to shape a host of new autumn/winter 2025 launches. Here’s what you need to know and why ignoring TikTok could cost you your next beauty campaign...
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.”
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...
Q&A: Anticipating the next wave of cosmetics regulations
Legal experts caution that regulatory scrutiny is shifting from food to personal care, resulting in a heightened focus on ingredients, packaging materials, and lifecycle compliance.
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,...
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.
Spate identifies top two products currently leading U.S. facial serum growth
Consumer focus on research continues to drive interest and impact purchasing behavior, with TikTok hashtags like #intensiveantiaging and #tiktokmademebuyit generating millions of monthly views.
Retail report highlights need for shopper autonomy, value alignment, and ‘wellness-forward sustainability’
Recently released survey results show the current beauty shopping landscape is falling short for consumers who desire calm shopping environments or simpler purchasing options.
Regulatory roundup: A review of US beauty sector enforcement and compliance actions
From packaging laws to the potential impact of the US-EU tariff deal, industry experts weighed in on a flurry of recent legislation proposals and legal decisions.
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.
Youthforia to shut down following foundation controversy and backlash
The brand, formerly popular with Gen Z consumers, failed to recover after missteps with its shade 600 launch last year.
PETA to update cruelty-free eligibility for beauty brands as progress is “under threat”
The EU animal testing loophole threatens progress for cruelty-free cosmetics, says PETA US.
Digital sampling can boost beauty sales by 13%, says marketing platform founder
With the integration of augmented reality and consumer data, sampling is rapidly evolving into a comprehensive marketing asset, says Will Glynn-Jones, Founder and Managing Director of Send Me a Sample.
Dove launches menopause wellness range on Amazon
The new menopause collection from Dove is targeting unmet skin care needs for women over age 45.
Dr. Squatch ends select TikTok Shop affiliate posts amid disclosure scrutiny
The case highlights the growing scrutiny of influencer marketing practices and the limitations of platform-based disclosure tools.
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.
The intertwined future of beauty and nutrition
NutraIngredients-USA and CosmeticDesign’s recent Beauty-from-Within webinar examined the emerging trends in the nutricosmetics space, with market data on what ingredients consumers are searching for and identifying several trends that underscore the...
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.
July sees heightened FTC scrutiny on ‘Made in USA’ labels
Cosmetics and personal care brands promoting “Made in USA” claims should be especially vigilant during the summer season, particularly around patriotic holidays, says a former “Made in USA” program manager at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
What’s trending in beauty popups?
We reveal what’s currently shaping this retail space and take a look at some of the latest beauty brand popups to launch.
Social commerce continues to reshape beauty brand strategy, say Euromonitor experts
The data reflects how platform-driven discovery, livestreaming, and influencer content are shifting the competitive landscape for cosmetics and personal care brands.
Consumers shift to scalp-first, nourishing beauty: Spate insights
Holistic care and aesthetic experimentation create clear opportunities for product development, says Beauty Insights Analyst Jenny Zeng.
Prada’s banana lip balm is bringing fun back to beauty
From its quirky colour and limited-edition banana sweets to a teaser in a Sabrina Carpenter video, Prada Beauty’s new launch stands out in a crowd of beauty products.
Indie Insights: The power of community-led brand growth
By turning transparency into trust, Cristal Cosmetics’ success shows how indie founders can build brands alongside their customers.
e.l.f. Beauty to expand prestige portfolio and creator-driven reach via $1bn rhode acquisition
Characterized by e.l.f. Beauty as a “powerhouse alliance,” the deal with celebrity-founded rhode is expected to close in Q2 FY2026.
Huda Beauty drops Setting Spray claims after NAD Fast-Track Review
The National Advertising Division accepted Huda Beauty’s voluntary decision to halt comparative marketing claims about its Easy Bake Setting Spray after a competitor challenge.
CDU Q&A: Understanding the role of incentivized reviews in beauty product development
As beauty industry stakeholders rely more on consumer reviews, distinguishing organic feedback from incentivized responses is crucial to avoid missteps in product innovation.
Indie Insights: Tapping into the trend of ‘affordable luxury’
Offering top-shelf quality at bottom-shelf prices can be a tall order for some indie brands, but ALT. Fragrance founder shared how the brand has cracked the code to challenging traditional pricing structures.
TTYL: Three years later, has Lush’s digital gamble paid off?
Since leaving major social platforms in 2021, Lush has doubled down on owned channels and ethical digital spaces, signaling a shift that could reshape brand-consumer engagement across industries.
Q&A: What cosmetics brands need to know about CPSC oversight in 2025
We spoke to legal experts from Foley & Lardner, LLP, for their key takeaways from a recently published whitepaper outlining how packaging hazards, influencer marketing, and overseas sales can trigger compliance challenges.
Study explores social media’s growing influence on cosmeceutical trends
Researchers combed through nearly two decades of Google search spikes in conjunction with recent TikTok view data to better understand the “growing curiosity in cosmeceuticals, with interest correlating with consumers’ views on social media.”
Original Degree Cool Rush deodorant formula returns in consumer-led comeback
Following passionate consumer feedback, including a Change.org petition, Unilever’s personal care brand Degree has restored its fan-favorite scent to shelves following changes made in late 2024.
Lost in translation: Lily AI CEO on why AI is the key to better beauty product discovery
“The use of product content optimization (PCO) is critical for the beauty industry to ensure they remain in sync with their customers and not make them do too much work to understand their products with confusing, brand- and industry-specific...
Inside the Gen Z beauty mindset: Report reveals AI, transparency, and personalization are key
According to AI-powered beauty and wellness technology platform Revieve, this influential demographic is more than just a consumer segment: they’re a cultural force.
Volition Beauty’s co-creation model highlights the evolution of influencer collaborations
As transparency becomes table stakes, Volition Beauty’s creator-led product development, as showcased in its recent collaboration with influencer Bramty’s Blue Spirulina Body Oil launch, signals where some brand partnerships may be headed.
PCPC’s #WearSunscreen campaign targets daily sun protection and misinformation
“We are agnostic about what brand or type of sunscreen people use. We just want people to use it on a consistent basis,” said Tesia Williams, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs & Communications at PCPC.
DEI in beauty: Market demand or marketing gimmick?
Diversity isn’t just a statement—it’s a strategy. In this CosmeticsDesign Q&A, Skydeo’s Mike Ford unpacks how consumer loyalty and spending habits are shaping the beauty industry’s future.
April 3: Join us for our Hair and Scalp Care - US Market Outlook webinar
We’re welcoming Yarden Horwtiz, Co-Founder at SPATE and Dr. Iris Rubin, Founder and CMO at SEEN for a presentation and Q&A on the current state of the US hair and scalp care market and consumer.
Neutrogena’s 360 marketing evolution: Blending digital, experience, and entertainment
The skin care brand’s latest strategy moves beyond traditional advertising, creating a seamless brand presence across social media, live concerts, and digital storefronts.
Inclusivity takes center stage: Insights from the 2025 SeeMe Inclusivity Index
e.l.f. Beauty, Dove, and Maybelline top the 2025 SeeMe Inclusivity Index. We spoke to SeeMe Index Co-Founder Asha Shivaji and Jason R. Klein to discuss what sets them apart from the competition.
From prestige to mass retail: Imaraïs Beauty joins Target’s wellness lineup
The new partnership signals the growing influence of digital-first brands in traditional retail spaces.
Authenticity matters: How cultural intelligence shapes beauty marketing
From Fenty Beauty to AI-driven personalization, cultural intelligence is changing the way brands are building lasting trust with diverse communities.