Industry News Flash #10 - Personal Care - October 30, 2024

⚡️ Personal Care Industry News Flash 🗞️ 

Ingredient Launch:

Lubrizol has launched Novemer™ CS Polymer, an innovative polymeric emulsifier and emulsion stabilizer that helps create a wide range of textures, from low to high-viscosity gels and emulsions. Its unique chemistry means it's compatible with mineral UV filters and makeup pigments, and it imparts a watery and refreshing sensory experience with smooth spreading. Check it out on Covalo now!

Scientific Breakthrough:

In preservation chemistry, the fine line between too little and too much is called "minimum inhibitory concentration", also known as MIC. It is the lowest concentration at which a preservative prevents the growth of germs like bacteria and fungi. MIC testing is mainly done by hand, but Clariant welcomes a "fast new friend in the lab": AMICA, a cutting-edge robot testing preservatives at an unprecedented level of speed and efficiency. AMICA offers a much faster and more efficient way of testing. It allows for "safer safety", helping to make cosmetics safer, more sustainable, and more in tune with evolving regulations. Read Clariant's full press release here.

Regulations & Compliance:

The United Kingdom is taking further steps towards more strict regulation of cosmetic products. On 3 October 2024, they notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft amendment to the GB Cosmetics Regulation, extending its list of banned substances. The regulation now includes 13 additional chemicals classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic (CMR). From 20 April 2025, companies won't be able to put products on the market containing these ingredients; October 20, 2025 marks the final deadline for such products to be available. Find the full list of banned substances on COSlaw.eu. 

Company Update:

The Estée Lauder Companies and Microsoft have entered into a partnership, aiming to power prestige beauty with generative AI. Personalization is key in this partnership, making sure to deliver increasingly inclusive experiences to their customers. The virtual program is expected to accelerate the speed at which new products hit the market. Both companies have already developed an AI-based chatbot for internal use by Estée Lauder's marketing teams, which navigates and leverages the company's proprietary product and claims database, assisting brands in launching locally relevant campaigns more swiftly.

Sustainability Update:

According to research by Ecovia Intelligence, the number of sustainability schemes and ethical labels in the cosmetics industry is increasing. In terms of certified products, "natural" and "organic" products take the lead — a trend we've also been observing at Covalo. Ecovia Intelligence found that there are about 45.000 certified products in the global cosmetics industry, with COSMOS and NATRUE being the leading standards for natural and organic cosmetics. Read the full report here. 

Events & Tradeshows:

Get ready for in-cosmetics Asia, the leading event in Asia Pacific for personal care ingredients! Taking place from 5 to 7 November 2024, this event creates business opportunities, insights, and inspiration for APAC beauty creators to formulate products that meet consumer needs and values. Secure your tickets here!

💡 Don't miss out on our bi-weekly Industry News Flash updates! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and Facebook.