FEATURE ARTICLES

The implementation of the new European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 (referred to in the remainder of this article as the Regulation) is obviously of prime importance to our sector.

Distillation occurs in a number of definable stages. During the first stage, initial heating occurs through the charge where the plant material has been placed. Plant material will not be saturated with moisture and the temperature differential between the steam and the plant material will allow quick dissipation of latent heat from the steam to the plant material.

The microbial safety of cosmetic products is an important consideration. It is integral to ensuring the stability of the products for the entire shelf- life and to preventing damage to health of the consumers. Currently, the number of accepted substances for microbial stabilisation is limited due to legal restrictions or public discussion.

Asia is the largest and fastest growing market for whitening cosmetic products. For Asians, the brightening of the skin is considered the ideal of beauty and is associated with higher social status. Melanin absorbs harmful UV radiation and transforms the energy into harmless heat.

The 27th IFSCC Congress will be held on 15-18 October 2012 at The Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. The South African Society of Cosmetic Chemists will host the event entitled ‘Beauty in Diversity – A Global Village’ that will feature a wide range of topics and keynote speakers. Topics include:

IBR-CalmDeAge is an extract from palm date (Phoenix dactylifera) seeds. The date seeds extraction preserves the inherent botanical capital of the date seed and delivers it for the most natural active effect on the skin, resulting in a global anti-ageing effect as well as reduction of dark circles and rosacea.

A taster exhibition and series of seminars, organised by in-cosmetics Asia and the Philippine Society for Cosmetic Science (PSCS), held on 4 May 2012, attracted brand owners and decision-makers from leading cosmetics companies including Dermpharma, Ever Bilena, Green Cross, Splash Corporation, Tupperware and Unilever.

In the midst of Asia’s rapid growth in the world economy, the region’s beauty and personal care market has shown similar high-speed evolution. A broader consumer base with expanding disposable income is driving a briskly developing combination of tradition and 21st-century innovation – with a thriving youth market, fashionforward female buyers, and even a growing men’s market.

The soothing, moisturising and anti-irritant properties of oat beta-glucan have been widelyrecognised for many years but despite being highly-regarded for its natural benefits for the skin, surprisingly little clinical data existed. This was principally due to the high cost and limited availability of existing sources, which severely restricted its widespread use.

Beraca introduces new biofunctional extracts sourced from four Amazonian fruits: annatto, acerola, guaraná and açaí. The new ingredients mark the launch of Beraca’s powdered extracts.

After three days in Barcelona, it was clear that in-cosmetics 2012 had been a resounding success and displayed an industry in excellent health with a rich seam of new products entering the market.

The story of how the original blemish balm creams became a ‘household name’ cosmetic item throughout the world illustrates how innovation can jump across geographical borders and take decades to develop into a popular consumer product.

Making Cosmetics made its first entry into the cosmetics industry’s calendar at the end of March 2012. The idea behind this new event was to take a view of the cosmetics process from ‘concept to consumer’, and look in detail at the various stages in between.

Without consumers and their needs, the cosmetic industry would not be enjoying the success it continually generates, yet often, consumers’ needs do not even get a look-in.

Traditionally, personal care products were relatively simple vehicles designed for functional benefits via the delivery of an ‘active ingredient’ to the skin to provide a specific benefit – moisturisers to address skin dryness; surfactants to clean hair; pigments to cover and enhance the complexion.

Testing personal care products using clinical trials is the gold standard for proving efficacy, but is often seen as too expensive to be considered cost-effective. However, formal proof that a product works is highly motivating to consumers, as demonstrated by the runaway success of Boots Protect & Perfect anti-ageing serum in 2009.

In the field of cosmetics, consumers are increasingly informed and demanding, and have understood the need to consume differently to care for both themselves and nature. They have become ‘consum’actors’.

The soothing, moisturising and anti-irritant properties of oat beta-glucan have been widelyrecognised for many years but despite being highly-regarded for its natural benefits for the skin, surprisingly little clinical data existed. This was principally due to the high cost and limited availability of existing sources, which severely restricted its widespread use.

The cosmetic industry has a lot to learn from others, and the food industry in particular can provide much inspiration. Cosmetic ingredients obtained from fruit and vegetables are now common in skin care products and the personal care industry is constantly seeking new sources for future actives.

What is all the fuss about regulating cosmetic products? Why do they need to be so carefully scrutinised? The beginning of the EU cosmetic products regulation harks back to the 1970s when several incidents involving the deaths of children from the accidental inclusion of the organochlorine disinfectant, hexachlorophene, in baby products which, at the time, was also used widely in adult cosmetic products such as soaps and facial cleansers.