Iridescent promotional banner from Kao Chemicals Europe featuring “Pearled Perfection,” advertising Danox Pearl GS with soft pastel swirls and a “Learn more” button
A man and woman smiling and touching their faces.

South Korea passes landmark law to fuel K-beauty industry

South Korea has passed legislation to develop Korea’s beauty industry into a primary engine of national economic growth. This is the country’s first legal framework made specifically to cultivate the commercial development of the sector. The National Assembly approving the Act on the Fostering and Support of the Cosmetics Industry (Cosmetics Industry Promotion Act) provides a legal foundation to support the entire cosmetics ecosystem. It gives the Ministry of Health and Welfare formal authority to help cosmetics brands, manufacturers, R&D, raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and distribution. 
double exposure photo of nature and womans side profile
Eco-conscious beauty moves upstream as biotech and fermentation drive green formulation
Consumers are demanding products that promise sustainable beauty, causing “eco-consciousness” to become a prerequisite in the industry. The term has evolved from end-of-life demands, such as recyclable packaging, to a more holistic approach for ensuring environmental ethics.Eco-conscious thinking is increasingly embedded across the supply chain and manufacturing capabilities in the beauty sector as it works to meet market demands. For industry players, this means environmentally mindful ingredient selections, resource-efficient manufacturing processes, and low-impact packaging choices.
woman holds multiple beauty products in arms
Beauty dupe debate: Compliance decides which brands survive, not price
Cosmetic dupes and their positioning in the personal care industry remain a topic of debate. The nuances of regulatory compliance, efficacy claims, and accusations of low-price-point products riding premium coattails persist.Recently, the debate around dupes found new kindling after Charlotte Tilbury told the BBC that “when you dupe, you dupe the consumer.”
Image
Mushroom-derived ingredients
Innova Market Insights data shows growth in the use of mushroom ingredients in personal care launches, with a 14% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. Skin and hair care products featured the highest use of mushroom ingredients, while body care experienced the fastest growth in innovation. These ingredients are most commonly found in hydrating products, where they provide softening and smoothing benefits.
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.
Consumer Reports video thumbnail: Stylist braiding purple extensions into a client’s long black hair, with a circular professional headshot inset
Consumer Reports: States urged to regulate braiding hair amid federal silence

Consumer Reports found heavy metals in nearly all braiding hair it tested, and volatile organic compounds in every sample. James Rogers, director and head of product safety testing at Consumer Reports, tells Personal Care Insights that no US federal agency clearly regulates the category, leaving labeling claims unchecked. He urges manufacturers to test ingredients and final products. Rogers also expects state rules and consumer spending to eventually drive change.

Latest headlines

View more
Kiko Milano enters Uruguay with €8.55M investment
kiko milano store front
Kiko Milano has entered Uruguay, committing €8.55 million (US$9.97 million) to open eight brick-and-mortar stores over five years. If the stores perform as projected, the South American expansion could extend to Argentina.Partnering with Grupo Antelo, an Argentinian corporate holding company, the Italian cosmetics brand will launch the first of eight stores in October, in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo.
Unilever and Galaxy to scale sustainable surfactant technology
Unilever products
Unilever and Galaxy Surfactants have signed a Partnership Growth charter to produce “superior” surfactant technologies and accelerate their integration into formulations. The collaboration unifies Unilever’s knowledge of formulation, innovation, and consumer understanding with Galaxy’s expertise in surfactants. Surfactants are used in cleaning products, shampoos, and body washes to enable cleansing and foaming. Recently, the ingredient category has been attracting industry attention with companies investing in developing more sustainable surfactants.
Food-based beauty moves from novelty to standout category
A hand reaching for ELF branded pickles.
Food-inspired beauty launches have taken over the shelves this summer, driven by consumer demand for personal care products with indulgent formulations. Industry players, such as ELF and Kayali, are responding to the trend by expanding their food-blended portfolios. Meanwhile, the momentum garnered attention from confectionery giant Cadbury, which has released a chocolate-based beauty collection in collaboration with MCoBeauty. 
Skinome study finds water-free retinal system improves acne-prone skin
Ulf Åkerström and Skinome founder Johanna Gillbro.
A peer-reviewed clinical study has found that a water-free concentrate containing 0.1% retinal and 10% azelaic acid significantly improved several characteristics associated with blemish-prone skin, including redness, texture, surface irregularities, and pore visibility. The researchers believe the concept can be part of a broader modular approach to skin care.
Black Beauty Week: Spending rises and funding falls, but innovation advances
Woman side profile black and white
National Black Beauty Week is taking place from August 16–22 across the US, aiming to address the plateauing of major beauty companies’ diversity commitments. The lull in investments arrives despite a rise in the demographic’s spending. Meanwhile, targeted innovation for people of color is accelerating. The initiative was founded by Black beauty culturalist Stephenetta (isis) Harmon in 2022 and is organized by Sadiaa Black Beauty Guide, a Dallas, US-based beauty platform dedicated to celebrating Black beauty brands.
Vitafoods Asia 2026 preview: Healthy aging and active nutrition among top trends
Vitafoods Asia 2025

Nutrition Insight

Ingredient suppliers expect healthy aging and active nutrition to be the main trends highlighted at Vitafoods Asia 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand (Sep 2–4). Nutrition Insight meets with Puredia, Aker BioMarine, GC Rieber VivoMega, and Nexira to explore market demands, product innovations in omegas and botanicals, and consumer trends across Asian countries. Puredia’s general manager, Michael Yuen, tells us that Asia was the first region to develop a longevity market. “NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) and NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) precursors reached mainstream consumer adoption in Japan and China well ahead of Western markets, which means the consumer base here is already sophisticated about cellular aging biomarkers and is actively looking for the next clinically substantiated option.” 
Highlighted features
A woman wearing traditional clothing, only showing her eyes.
Business News
Wipro and Amorepacific deals signal India’s rise as premium...
The Indian beauty market is commanding global attention, with major brands investing in the region’s fast-growing industry. The country has become unignorable as a growth lever for premium and digital, youth-targeted skin care. One of the latest moves exemplifying this momentum is Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting announcing the acquisition of the made-in-India brand, Dermatouch. The deal marks Wipro Consumer Care’s entry into India’s expanding premium skin care market. 
A woman shopping for pads in a store.
Business News
Essity buys Kenvue Brazilian feminine care business in...
Essity has entered into an agreement to acquire Kenvue’s feminine care business in Brazil. The deal will include brands such as Carefree, Sempre Livre, and OB. The purchase price amounts to US$284 million on a cash and debt-free basis. Essity says the acquisition strengthens its position as a market leader in feminine care in Latin America. 
Lionfish on a reef with a diver in the background
Research & Science news
Greece investigates invasive fish as cosmetic ingredient...
Scientists in Greece are exploring whether toxic and invasive fish species disrupting the Mediterranean fishing industries and ecosystems could be used for cosmetic ingredients. The research aims to offer a sustainable and circular approach to marine ecosystem management, and could open up new opportunities for cosmetic formulations. However, it also raises questions about whether it contributes to normalizing the use of animal-derived ingredients in an industry increasingly moving toward cruelty-free and vegan alternatives.

Personal care focus

View more
Image

Eco-conscious cosmeticsAug2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that environmental aspects are important to consumers when purchasing beauty & personal care products. New product launches show 15% CAGR for products with et...

Brought to you by:

Innova Market Insights

Product innovation

View more
Image

Next-gen holistic beauty Aug 2026

According to Innova Market Insights data, 28% of consumers globally say that a more holistic or multi-dimensional approach allows them to adopt a more self-sufficient approach to their health. As this mindset extends into beauty, brands are taking a broader approach to personal care, combining appearance, wellness, and long-term health in increasingly multifunctional products.

Trend analysis

View more
Image

Mushroom-derived ingredients Aug 2026

Innova Market Insights data shows growth in the use of mushroom ingredients in personal care launches, with a 14% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. Skin and hair care products featured the highest use of mushroom ingredients, while body care experienced the fastest growth in innovation. These ingredients are most commonly found in hydrating products, where they provide softening and smoothing benefits.

Multimedia

View more
Consumer Reports video thumbnail: Stylist braiding purple extensions into a client’s long black hair, with a circular professional headshot inset
Video12:12
Consumer Reports: States urged to regulate braiding hair amid federal silence

Consumer Reports found heavy metals in nearly all braiding hair it tested, and volatile organic compounds in every sample. James Rogers, director and head of product safety testing at Consumer Reports, tells Personal Care Insights that no US federal agency clearly...

 Paulo Teixeira, Melt&Marble
Video15:19
Melt&Marble: Accelerating commercial readiness for personal care products with INCI milestone
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
Video03:10
NYSCC Suppliers’ Day 2026: Givaudan highlights PrimalHyal 300 for skin repair
Image
Video05:59
NYSCC Suppliers’ Day 2026: Nouryon explores AI and biobased chemistry
Subscribe to our newsletters
PlatformsFood Ingredients FirstNutrition InsightPackaging InsightsPersonal Care InsightsThe World of Food Ingredients
About usContact usAdvertisingPrivacy statementSitemapArchiveEditorial Team
Follow us
Image