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Woman looking at a baby powder bottle

Johnson & Johnson offers US$5.5B to end ovarian cancer talc lawsuits

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has proposed to pay US$5.5 billion to settle around 76,000 remaining lawsuits that claim its talc-based baby powder caused plaintiffs’ ovarian cancer. The deal requires the participation of lead plaintiff firms, which represent approximately 95% of the remaining claims. The proposed settlement follows a favorable legal outcome for J&J. On July 22, 2026, a federal judge required plaintiffs to explain why their cases should not be dismissed based on a lack of evidence of how J&J’s talc products caused individual claimants’ ovarian cancer. 
A woman swiping a cream on her face while looking in the mirror.
Natural beauty ingredients get biotech rebuild as crop scarcity rises
The personal care industry is changing the way it defines “natural” ingredients from an umbrella term for clean label claims to finetuned demands. Consumers want traceable and trustworthy supply chains, pushing beauty players to distinguish “natural sourcing” from “ethical sourcing.” Innova Market Insights data indicates growth in natural claims, with 32% CAGR from April 2021 to March 2026 in product launches. This is underpinned by consumers increasingly seeking more natural ingredients when shopping for their beauty products. Skin care and hair care had the largest share of natural launches, while body care grew the fastest. 
A woman holding a cherry and a vaginal suppository.
Juice’s vaginal suppository launch sparks debate over intimate care’s beauty pivot
Juice, an intimate care brand marketed as beauty, has debuted with “not something you need, but something you want” positioning. Some have applauded the category convergence, while others have pushed back, seeing the framing as evidence-skirting and a trendy rebranding of female shame. The new brand launched with oil suppositories for the vagina, designed to give hydration and a “subtle scent.” Scented intimate hygiene products have been discouraged by medical professionals due to irritation. For example, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises against using perfumed products in and around the vagina. 
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Natural claims for personal care
Innova Market Insights data indicates growth in natural claims, with 32% CAGR from April 2021 to March 2026 in product launches. This is underpinned by consumers increasingly seeking more natural ingredients when shopping for their beauty products. Skin care and hair care had the largest share of natural launches, while body care grew the fastest.
Foaming antibacterial hand wash with aloe beside a blank pump bottle on a counter, with CAMA PHHC logo.
Automating sleeved bottle packaging without compromising pack design
This article highlights the automation of sleeved bottle packaging, transforming a manual process into a high-speed solution while preserving brand identity and ensuring compatibility with both automated and manual operations.

This Technical Paper is brought to you by Cama Group.
 Paulo Teixeira, Melt&Marble
Melt&Marble: Accelerating commercial readiness for personal care products with INCI milestone

Melt&Marble is a Swedish biotech company that uses precision fermentation to produce designer lipids in food and personal care products. The company has secured its first personal care ingredient INCI.  Paulo Teixeira, head of product at Melt&Marble, tells Personal Care Insights more about this regulatory milestone.

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Scientists crack probiotic cosmetics’ preservation problem
Woman with clear skin closeup portrait
Polish scientists have developed and patented microscopic protective capsules that allow live probiotic bacteria to survive in cosmetics for over a year. The breakthrough is considered to overcome one of the biggest challenges of formulating probiotic skin care, and taps into the growing trend of microbiome-targeted cosmetics. The capsule technology solves a central paradox of probiotic cosmetics. Until now, the preservatives a formula would need to keep the product safe from harmful bacteria would also simultaneously kill off any beneficial live bacteria added to it.
Monteloeder by SuanNutra champions clinical proof and skin-gut axis in beauty...
Researcher with beauty supplement
Monteloeder by SuanNutra says the beauty-from-within space is becoming more mainstream. The ingredients specialist says solutions are increasingly connected to other health areas, such as longevity, sleep, gut health, stress management, and overall wellness. It highlights market potential in holistic health products that are backed by scientific evidence. Nutrition Insight speaks with Lauren Winchell, business development manager at SuanNutra US, about untapped opportunities and emerging ingredients in the nutricosmetics space. 
Unilever posts decade-high beauty volume growth fueled by Desire at Scale...
Woman in blue posing by tube of skin cream
Unilever has reported that its beauty, personal care, and home care divisions drove its H1 2026 results and delivered the best volume quarter the company has seen in over a decade. The financials indicate the effectiveness of the company’s Desire at Scale strategy at driving demand. Unilever’s Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, and Home Care divisions accounted for 75% of the company’s total turnover. The trio generated €3.7 billion (US$4.2 billion) in underlying operating profit in the first half of the year. Their combined growth lifted the entire group to 4.8% underlying sales growth, of which volume accounts for 4.2%. In the second quarter, the three business divisions recorded 5.8% growth.
EU backs lab-based SPF testing as ethical and reliable alternative to human...
A woman seeing how bad a man's sun burn is with a color wheel.
The European Commission (EC) has stated that when testing SPF, the in vitro laboratory standard is reliable and more ethical than trialing on human volunteers. The conclusion is part of the administrative body’s Joint Actions on Compliance of Products (JACOP) initiative launched in 2025. The commission-funded campaign promised to test SPF and UVA protection factors and evaluate if they align with product label claims. 
Patchology taps neurocosmetics with Good Day sun-mimicking skin care
A girl with beauty products in front of her on a table.
Patchology has introduced a skin care collection designed to bridge the gap between skin health and emotional well-being. The launch taps into the growing neurocosmetic trend, where brands, suppliers, and consumers are all interested in how beauty and emotional states can intertwine. Good Day by Patchology is touted to be rooted in wellness and backed by science. The range aims to transform everyday skin care into “intuitive, sensorial rituals that deliver visible results while bringing moments of joy.” 
GLP-1 use among US adolescents surges, but long-term health effects remain...
overweight woman using glp-1 drug

Nutrition Insight

A study reveals that GLP-1 weight loss medication use among teenagers and young adults in the US has rapidly increased in recent years. Long-term effects from using these drugs are still unknown, especially on this young population going through a significant physical development period. Between 2022 and 2026, GLP-1 use among people aged 13–25 seeking obesity treatment increased from 88.2% to 96.1% and outpaced metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) use, which saw a decline from 11.6% to 3.7%.
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A man smelling a Dove deodorant.
Health and Beauty
Greenpeace urges Unilever to adopt refillables and ties...
Greenpeace US has called on Dove and parent company Unilever to phase out plastic packaging amid the FMCG giants’ partnership with the FIFA World Cup 2026. The environmental organization cites research suggesting microplastics are turning up in men’s reproductive tissue, and contrasts it with Dove–FIFA campaign slogans such as “protect your sensitive parts.” 
A woman looking to the side and getting an injection in her face.
Policy & regulation news
US FDA peptide decision could create marketing challenges...
Yesterday and today, the US FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC) is discussing adding injectable peptides to the agency’s list of bulk drug substances permitted for use in compounded medicines. While the meetings will not end in a binding legal outcome, the recommendation is expected to inform the FDA’s final decision. Personal Care Insights discusses what the impact on the personal care industry would be if the injectable peptides are allowed, with the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP), American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), and the intelligence platform Cafeteria. 
Woman getting injection for hair growth.
Policy & regulation news
US FDA panel weighs injectable peptides as experts demand...
The US FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC) is currently convening over whether to add injectable peptides to the agency’s list of bulk drug substances permitted for use in compounded medicines. Today and tomorrow, the FDA is hosting a panel meeting to review seven peptides: BPC-157, emideltide (DSIP), epitalon, KPV, MOTS-c, semax, and TB-500. BPC-157 and TB-500 are popular “biohacking” solutions in the online wellness community. Currently, all of the listed substances are prohibited from being made by compounding pharmacies in the US. 

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Women’s wellness trendsJul2026

Innova Market Insights presented the Top Personal Care Trends 2026 with “Tailored Touchpoints” taking the top spot, followed by “New-age Longevity,” and “Crunch Over Fluff.” These trends are reshaping...

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Biotech beauty breakthroughs Jul 2026

Biotechnology is redefining beauty innovation, enabling brands to deliver targeted, science-backed performance across skin and hair care. From biotech collagen and neuropeptides to microbiome-supporting actives and marine-derived ingredients, new product launches are combining advanced technologies with high-efficacy formulations to address hydration, firmness, skin renewal, and healthy aging.

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Natural claims for personal careJul 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates growth in natural claims, with 32% CAGR from April 2021 to March 2026 in product launches. This is underpinned by consumers increasingly seeking more natural ingredients when shopping for their beauty products. Skin care and hair care had the largest share of natural launches, while body care grew the fastest.

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 Paulo Teixeira, Melt&Marble
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Melt&Marble: Accelerating commercial readiness for personal care products with INCI milestone

Melt&Marble is a Swedish biotech company that uses precision fermentation to produce designer lipids in food and personal care products. The company has secured its first personal care ingredient INCI.  Paulo Teixeira, head of product at Melt&Marble, tells Personal Care...

Kacey Brides, Givaudan, Primalhyal 300, NYSCC Suppliers’ Day 2026, Skin Care, Active Ingredients, Healthy Aging, Cosmeceuticals, Hyaluronic Acid, Skin Repair, Hydration, Sensitive Skin, Aging Skin, Po
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NYSCC Suppliers’ Day 2026: Givaudan highlights PrimalHyal 300 for skin repair
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NYSCC Suppliers’ Day 2026: Nouryon explores AI and biobased chemistry
Karen Chun, Symrise
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NYSCC Suppliers’ Day 2026: Symrise talks skin barrier, sensoriality and sustainability
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