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August in review: US–Canada tariff war, South Korea landmark law, Essity buys Kenvue feminine care

This month, tensions flared between the US and Canada, both moving to impact each other’s cosmetics industries with 50% tariffs. Asian countries continued to bolster their cosmetics markets with new regulations. China adopted its first mandatory national safety standard for cosmetics. South Korea passed the first law written specifically to grow its beauty sector. 
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Holistic beauty turns to whole-body care and clinical substantiation
The lines between skin care, nutrition, wellness, and preventive health are blurring in the personal care industry. Awareness of the connection between the skin, gut, sleep, stress, and lifestyle is growing, and consumers are looking for solutions that go beyond addressing visible concerns. Attention on holistic beauty is growing, encouraging people to pay more attention to how they feel, age, and live in the long term. 
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How carbon capture can rewrite surfactant chemistry in personal care
Carbon capture is emerging as a climate-friendly cosmetics solution, according to green chemistry company Viridi. The technology converts captured emissions into beauty feedstocks, introducing a cycle within production. It works by capturing CO2 emissions and converting them into new materials, chemicals, or products.
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Sustainable beauty solutions
Innova Market Insights data indicates that new personal care launches with sustainable claims grew at a +31% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. While cruelty-free remains a key consumer marker of sustainable beauty, innovation is expanding into areas such as sustainable oils, 2-in-1 formats, recycled materials, and reef- and ocean-friendly solutions.
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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.
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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.

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Ulta Beauty boosts financial outlook after strong Q2 results
Ulta store front
Ulta Beauty has announced its Q2 2026 results, showing a net sales figure of US$3.04 billion, an 8.9% growth year-over-year. The company attributes the increase to growth in comparable sales, its acquisition of Space NK, and revenue from new stores.In an earnings call, the cosmetics retailer highlighted its strength in prestige beauty, fragrance, and exclusive offerings. The K-beauty category delivered double-digit growth in sales, with nearly half of sales in the segment coming from exclusive products.
Givaudan pitches fragrance as loneliness antidote
woman spritzes perfume
Givaudan has unveiled Message in a Bottle, an olfactive perspective exploring how social belonging motivates consumers’ fragrance choices. The company says this mindset is “shaping a new generation of emotionally resonant scents.”Through what it dubs an “olfactive manifesto,” the global flavors and fragrances company aims to tackle the growing disconnection in modern society. It believes that Message in a Bottle transcends scent trend forecasting, and instead positions fragrance as a social gesture. Givaudan’s concept aims to help people reconnect with themselves and each other, contributing to happier and healthier lives worldwide.
Rissmann launches paper-based box for luxury fragrance gifting
shell box opening with blue design
Rissmann has launched the Shell Box, a paper-based box for luxury fragrances, particularly suited for seasonal gifts. The solution boasts a “smooth and controlled” opening for a “discovery experience” that aligns with current unboxing trends. The box, also suitable for wine and spirits, aims to combine modularity with visual impact for brand storytelling and caters to consumer demand for recyclable packaging solutions. The interior of the Shell Box is customizable to accommodate inserts, molded pulp, or another box. The outer layer is also adaptable to cater to seasonal celebrations, like an Advent calendar. 
EU microplastics ban pushes beauty from ingredient swaps to manufacturing change
A girl with glitter on her face.
The European Union (EU) is cracking down on microplastics intentionally added to cosmetics due to their environmental persistence. Turning to bio-based formulations could help cosmetic manufacturers skirt upcoming bottlenecks, but at scale, these materials present formulation challenges. Experts suggest that it may be time for the beauty industry to update its manufacturing processes.The 2027 EU Microplastics Ban began applying in phases in October 2023. It targets synthetic polymer microparticles (SPM), which are solid microplastic polymers smaller than 5mm.
Saanroo study reveals serum cuts gray hair by 15.5% as pro-aging reshapes hair...
A woman with gray hair throwing her hair around.
Saanroo has published the first clinical study of its HairAge Vitae ingredient on hair pigmentation, reporting a 15.5% reduction in gray hair density among adults who applied a topical serum for 12 weeks. The research arrives as longevity and preventative aging are transforming the personal care industry. Saanroo’s findings suggest a potential route to reducing gray hair at the source, rather than masking it with dye. 
Webinar preview: Rousselot targets GLP-1 companion products with Peptan and...
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Nutrition Insight

Nutrition product innovations to support GLP-1 users are booming. However, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that ingredients and formulations are supported by scientific evidence. Amid a myriad of options available, Rousselot spotlights its Peptan and Nextida GC collagen peptides in an upcoming webinar, “From boosters to companions: GLP-1 in Food, Beverages, and Supplements.” 
Highlighted features
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Policy & regulation news
US–Canada tariff war escalates with reciprocal 50%...
Canada has hit back at the US’s imposition of 50% tariffs by implementing its own “dollar-for-dollar” duties. Both countries have now included cosmetics in the trade war. The Canadian countermove responds to US tariffs that took effect Saturday, August 22. The US levies were set to take place on August 19, but were delayed for negotiations that have since collapsed. 
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Personal Care Insights News
Plant-based squalane scales amid mounting sustainability...
The beauty industry’s emphasis on ethics and sustainability is incentivizing the reimagination of animal-derived ingredients like squalane. The market is showing a preference for plant-based substitutes of the hydration hero ingredient, which is traditionally sourced from shark liver oil. Alongside animal suffering, shark hunting can pose a threat to marine ecosystems due to their important role in aquatic habitats.“Plant-derived squalene provides an opportunity to meet the same ingredient demand without relying on an animal source,” Bryan See, VP president of biotechnology and ingredient company, PhytoGaia, tells Personal Care Insights.
A phone with Avon written on it.
Business News
Regent to acquire Avon North America, reuniting it with...
Regent will acquire the entirety of LG Household & Health Care’s (LG H&H) stake in Avon North America. Avon International and North America will be reunited under the global investment firm. Michael A. Reinstein, founder, chairman, and CEO of Regent, says: “Bringing Avon North America and Avon International back together gives Avon clearer ownership, a shared strategy, and a stronger foundation for growth… Our job now is to put the scale of the combined business behind better products, sharper execution, and a stronger earning opportunity for the people who sell them.” 

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Home fragrance trendsSep2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that more than half of global consumers are motivated by scent when purchasing household fresheners. The market is responding with new product launches, with air ...

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K-beauty’s global impact Sep 2026

K-beauty is moving beyond the glass-skin trend to shape beauty innovation across makeup, hair, and body care. From fermented ingredients and barrier-focused formulas to cooling pore sticks, peeling foot masks, and sensorial hair rituals, Korean beauty concepts are being reimagined for a global audience.

Trend analysis

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Sustainable beauty solutionsSep 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that new personal care launches with sustainable claims grew at a +31% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. While cruelty-free remains a key consumer marker of sustainable beauty, innovation is expanding into areas such as sustainable oils, 2-in-1 formats, recycled materials, and reef- and ocean-friendly solutions.

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Consumer Reports video thumbnail: Stylist braiding purple extensions into a client’s long black hair, with a circular professional headshot inset
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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...

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