FEATURE ARTICLES

The impact of consumer products on the world’s oceans has never been more present in people’s minds.

As all formulators know, the challenge of creating an emulsion in cosmetic science is to achieve maximum stability combined with superior sensoriality. It is not enough to make a totally stable cream if the rheology or the feel of the product is wrong.

Helichrysum italicum is a flowering plant of the Asteraceae family. The plant produces essential oil from its blossoms which is used for medicinal purposes including antiinflammatory, fungicidal and astringent properties.

In response to growing demand for direct interaction and hands-on knowledge transfer, in-cosmetics has announced that its 2016 event in Paris will feature two new show areas – a Formulation Lab and Sensory Bar.

In recent years sporting a beard or moustache has returned to be fashionable in the mainstream. With the male grooming sector continuing to see good worldwide growth, demand for high quality beard and moustache products has inevitably increased.

Cosmetic scientists have been trying to develop a more effective ingredient to help skin absorption such as nano, liposome, and colloid. The challenge is how to measure the effectiveness of these ingredients on skin absorption.

Every few months new claims of ‘free-from’ products become trendy and desired. Fragrance-free, paraben-free, preservativefree, oil-free, etc. It seems now it is time for PEG-free formulations.

Behind every beautiful face there is radiance that is waiting to shine through. However, day-to-day lifestyle, pollution, stress, harmful radiations and numerous such factors render skin dull and lifeless.

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.