Industry News Flash #28 - Personal Care - 20 August 2025

⚡️ Personal Care Industry News Flash 🗞️ 

AI in Beauty:

A new paper in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology highlights the limitations of the widely used Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype scale and proposes the Monk Skin Tone (MST) scale as a more inclusive alternative. Already adopted by Google for AI, MST offers a 10-tone visual system that better represents darker skin tones and separates skin tone from race and UV sensitivity. Researchers say integrating MST into dermatology could improve representation, equity, and data quality in both clinical practice and AI.

Scientific Breakthrough:

An ingredient from face serums could revolutionize smart devices. Researchers at La Trobe University have developed a transparent, ultra-thin polymer using hyaluronic acid that shows metal-like conductivity, flexibility, and durability — ideal for wearables, biosensors, and touchscreens. The breakthrough, published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, may usher in a new era of flexible, transparent electronics.

Regulations & Compliance:

The European Commission has updated the glossary of common ingredient names for cosmetic labelling, now featuring over 30.000 entries. Published on 10 July 2025, the new rules (Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175) repeal the 2022 glossary and will become mandatory from 30 July 2026. This update ensures greater harmonization and transparency, though future reforms may replace the glossary entirely with the INCI system.

Company Update:

Beiersdorf is bringing skin longevity to the mass market with Nivea’s first epigenetic serum: Cellular Epigenetics Rejuvenating Serum. Formulated with the patented ingredient Epicelline and three types of hyaluronic acid, the serum is designed to counter external age aggressors and rejuvenate skin cells. Following its debut in Eucerin last year, Epicelline is now part of Beiersdorf’s cross-brand strategy in the growing longevity beauty space.

Sustainability Update:

Econic Technologies has launched Recreaire, a new range of carbonate ethoxylate surfactants made with up to 45% CO2 as a raw material. This first-of-its-kind platform offers high-performing alternatives to conventional ethoxylates while cutting global warming potential by up to 65% (and 75% for hydrophobe components). Building on Econic’s renewable carbon portfolio, Recreaire enables both standard and tailored surfactants with unique properties.

Events & Trade shows:

British Beauty Week returns on 20-26 October 2025 with a nationwide program spotlighting the industry’s future. With themes spanning innovation, AI, sustainability, and next-gen influence, the event will feature activations across the UK and a one-day Industry Hub hosted by the British Beauty Council. Now a landmark for the UK’s £30 billion beauty industry, BBW highlights the sector’s cultural and economic impact while shaping tomorrow’s trends. Learn more

Don't miss a beat! From trade shows to trend talks, the personal care industry is buzzing with events.

• Packaging Innovation and Sustainable Solutions (online webinar)
  📅 11 September 2025, 16:00 CEST
  📍Online webinar
  🔗 Sign up now
• MakeUp in New York 2025
  📅 17-18 September, 2025
  📍 Javits Center, New York
  🔗 Learn more
  
• in-cosmetics Latin America 2025
  📅 23-24 September, 2025
  📍  São Paulo, Brazil
  🔗 Learn more
  
• 13th Annual Beauty Trends & Innovations Conference
  📅 24 September, 2025
  📍 London, UK
  🔗 Learn more 

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