FEATURE ARTICLES

Cosmetic products that lighten the skin have been an important aspect of the cosmetic industry across Asia for many years now. Achieving a lighter, more even complexion is recognised as a key beauty goal for consumers and doing so safely is obviously vital.

The 2015 in-cosmetics Asia took place at the BITEC Bangkok, Thailand, from 3-5 November. The event once again proved to be a successful celebration of technological innovation from across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

From a market perspective, personal care products are important. The cosmetics industry is a dynamic and vibrant one that promotes and encourages scientific innovation that is both crucial to the success of its business model and overcoming regulatory challenges.

Might it be possible to merge these apparently diverging paths into a global trend? Are the apparently reductionist ideas of EBC compatible with the allegedly holistic approach of TCM, possibly within a new framework of hedonistic concepts?

Looking ahead to 2016, Mintel’s APAC Trends Analyst, Philix Liu, discusses the four key Chinese consumer trends set to impact the market, including implications for both consumers and brands in the year ahead.

The process of creating a cosmetic or personal care product from the marketing brief to the regulatory file can be hindered by numerous obstacles along the way. From sourcing just the right ingredient, to issues with regional compliance, it can be a minefield for even the largest company with vast teams to help move the development process along.

Kemin reveals its beauty breakthrough with a new way to have youthful looking skin by limiting skin damages from the harmful effects of blue light. It is a true introduction of smarter sunscreens and day creams with a new ‘365 day complementary beauty regimen’ that consumers should adopt as part of their daily skin treatment to protect their skin against blue light rays in addition to regular UV protection.

Preservatives are essential components for any personal care formulation that contains water. However, the palette of useable preservatives has steadily declined in recent years necessitating the use of new systems to accommodate consumer preferences.

As always there are plenty of European regulatory activities relating to cosmetic ingredients that are impacting the industry and should be monitored closely.

The 23rd IFSCC Conference was held in Zurich, Switzerland from the 21-23 September and took as its inspiration the phrase: More Facts, Less Illusions.

Skin protection was once mainly about sun protection, with just a few brands formulating products to protect skin from damage by air pollution or harsh environments.

Skin ageing is a multifactorial process consisting of two distinct and independent mechanisms: intrinsic and extrinsic ageing.

Ascorbic acid (AsA) (vitamin C) has various skin-physiological effects including an anti-oxidative effect, but as its weak point it is unstable in aqueous solution.

Mastic is the resin harvested from the Pistacia lentiscus trees from the Greek island of Chios. It has been used as a precious natural remedy against various ailments since ancient times.

Emulsions are defined as fine dispersions of very small droplets of one liquid in another in which it is not soluble or miscible.1

Antiperspirant (AP) actives are classified as over the counter (OTC) drugs and are under FDA regulations.

Proprietary processes are used in the commercial extraction of keratin from virgin New Zealand sheep wool to produce three types of keratin protein fractions.

Prior to the 1950s, the few commercial hair care products available for women included harsh shampoos and soaps, hair lacquers and Brilliantine, and for men, greasy creams and tonics.

In recent years, hair care ingredients have developed a great deal and we are now seeing a skin care and anti-ageing approach to hair care.

Let me start by saying that I am not a cosmetic chemist. My doctorate is in natural medicine and I have been formulating natural products for more than two generations. And because they work as advertised, more than 50% are still selling in the market.