Beyond The Headlines: Vaseline’s “most premium” skin care line targets POC, Anne Hathaway debuts in Shiseido’s Vital Perfection

22 Sep 2023 --- This week in industry news, Vaseline unveiled a new radiance-boosting and anti-aging skin care range, Vaseline Radiant X. Galderma also released its antioxidant serum with 14 “vital” antioxidants, while supplier Seppic “re-explored” the potential of Sepiclear G7 (heptyl glucoside), its eco-friendly solubilizer, in new research backing its efficacy. In brand engagement, Shiseido debuted actress Anne Hathaway as the new face of Vital Perfection, its healthy aging skincare line of 15 products.

New product developments
Vaseline introduced its “most premium line yet,” Vaseline Radiant X,” a new body care range formulated with premium skin care ingredients traditionally used for your face, created to specifically address the needs and concerns of Black and Brown skin including moisture imbalance, dark spots and uneven skin tone. At the heart of the new line of products is Vaseline Radiant X Even Nourishing Tone Body Lotion that includes 1% niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, clinically proven to visibly reduce dark spots and even skin tone in just two weeks. The lotion also includes Unilever’s proprietary ultra-hydrating lipids to help skin replenish its own ceramides and foster a more resilient, healthier skin barrier. Using this technology to nourish skin allows active ingredients to penetrate deeper for better delivery of benefits and up to 72 hours of moisture, claims the brand. Vaseline is also kicking off the Two Weeks to Radiance launch campaign, consisting of radiant skin care content and social giveaways. The brand will also be transforming the Malt House in Harlem, New York, US, to Radiance House – an “immersive experience that brings to life the science of radiance.”

Vaseline debuted its Radiant X line of body care products, using ingredients traditionally used to target the face, which targets Black and Brown skin (Image credit: Vaseline).Galderma launched its latest innovation, C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum, containing a proprietary encapsulated vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) and 14 “vital” antioxidants. The formula is marketed as non-irritating and scent-free. This antioxidant serum is designed to help protect against environmental stressors, combatting free radicals, UV damage, blue light and pollution while supporting the skin’s ability to conserve elastin for skin that looks smoother and more radiant. In a 12-week clinical study, results showed subject improvement in the appearance of skin’s texture, tone and luminosity while helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, photodamage and other signs of aging in eight weeks. In addition, C-Radical helps reduce the effects of free radicals in the skin by up to 74%, claims the manufacturer.

In response to demand for finished products with simpler ingredients lists, Seppic “re-explored” the potential of Sepiclear G7 (heptyl glucoside), its eco-friendly solubilizer with booster preservative properties. Challenge tests, carried out in accordance with ISO 11930, proved that Sepiclear G7 allows to reduce the dosage of preservatives. Hence, formulators are able to use less preservatives while obtaining the same protection, claims the supplier. The ingredient’s preservative-boosting properties can be explained thanks to its hydrotrope property which increases the preservative solubility in formulations and decreases the water activity, thereby boosting the performance of the preservatives. Sepiclear G7 is marketed as a 100% natural, readily biodegradable, non-ethoxylated and preservative-free low viscous liquid. It is easy to handle and cold processable, while ideal as a solubilizer for fragrances and essential oils with non-foaming properties. It has makeup removal ability and allows to obtain thinner cream-gels without having an impact on the viscosity.

Business activities
Coty Inc. increased its outlook for the first half and full year FY24. Since providing its guidance on its FY23 earnings call four weeks ago, Coty has seen “strong momentum” in beauty demand across its key markets and categories, particularly in prestige fragrances. At the same time, Coty highlights the performance of its recent launch of its Burberry Goddess fragrance, with market sales “several times higher than recent competitive blockbuster launches.” Activity in its fragrance department is said to be driving acceleration in volumes and sales, with the company now expecting core LFL sales growth in first half FY24 of +10 to +12%, an increase from its earlier outlook of +8 to +10%, up from its previous medium-term target range guidance of +6 to +8%.

From left to right: Poonacha Machiah, Deepak Chopra and Kate Moss (Image credit: Cosmoss).Brand activities and partnerships
Shiseido debuted actress Anne Hathaway as the new face of Vital Perfection, its healthy aging skin care line of 15 products. The range includes Intensive WrinkleSpot Treatment, formulated with Pure Retinol. Although retinol gets easily degraded, Shisdeido’s formulation, special backless-tube and innovative filling process are said to prevent Pure Retinol degradation to keep it active and fresh. Shiseido also developed LiftDefine Radiance Night Concentrate to more effectively prevent sagging. Based on research into how the skin’s muscles resist gravity, the product includes LiftDynamic 4D technology, a concentrate that “visibly improves the jawline sagging while you sleep.” Attending a launch event with Hathaway were 150 “friends of the brand,” including food and lifestyle author, Candice Kumai as the master of ceremony; fashion and beauty expert Jenna Rennert; Miss Universe 2016, Iris Mittenae; Italian actress, Francesca Chillemi; Brazilian fashion star Silvia Braz and Singaporean actress Sheila Sim, among others. Held at The Sky Lounge, the evening soirée was decorated with gold elements.

NYX Professional Makeup launched the limited-edition Mon-Star Bash Halloween campaign, inspired by Universal Pictures’ classic Universal Monsters. Through SFX artistry and entertainment, the campaign aims to “reintroduce the iconic Monsters of yesterday to a new generation for Halloween.” For this campaign, NYX Professional Makeup has partnered with celebrity makeup artist Mimi Choi to create five exclusive and reimagined looks with a modernized twist. Gen Z celebrities are featured as each “Mon-Star” character: musician Landon Barker stars as The Werewolf, social media personality and model Reginae Carter stars as one of The Mummi Twins, content creator and DJ Phoenix Brown stars as the Bride of Frankie and up-and-coming artist Grace McKagan stars as Drakulah. The brand has also introduced a new “Mon-Star Bash” Halloween product collection to support the campaign. Adding to their existing portfolio of SFX face paints, the vegan and cruelty-free assortment will launch seven new ultra-pigmented shades of SFX Face and Body Paints inspired by the classic monster colors, while metallic silver and gold SFX Glitter Face and Eye Paints add an “updated shine.” The line is accompanied by new lightweight, full-body, Spiky Fringe Jumbo Lashes.

TikTok-trending smoothie brand Erewhon Market entered a partnership with supermodel Miranda Kerr’s organic skin care brand Kora Organics. Miranda Kerr’s Kora Glow Smoothie will be available at Erewhon tonic bars through October 15. The purple-hued drink is inspired by the purple container of Kora Organics’ Plant Stem Cell Retinol Alternative Moisturizer, which is formulated with antioxidant-rich açaí stem cells and rosehip oil, as well as a 5% active retinol alternative blend of bakuchiol and alfalfa. The Erewhon smoothie’s appearance has a cloudy blue and pink base made with coconut cream, blue majik and pitaya powder and a vibrant purple middle blend with Sambazon açaí. It is topped with a lilac-colored coconut yogurt dollop. Its taste can be described as creamy and fruity, with “just the right amount of sweetness.” As part of the partnership, Miranda Kerr chose Organic Farming Research Foundation to which a portion of the proceeds will be donated.

Miranda Kerr partnered with Erewhon Market, customizing a purple açaí smoothie in promotion of her skin care brand Kora Organics (Image credit: Kora Organics).Kate Moss, founder of beauty and wellness brand Cosmoss, and Deepak Chopra, founder of Chopra Foundation, entered a new partnership. From January 2024, Cosmoss will be working with Chopra Foundation to support wellness and mental health programs through co-hosted events and working with the foundation’s NeverAlone.Love platform. The NeverAlone.Love initiative is a mental health awareness program that aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, provide access to resources and support research into new treatments. 

Symrise Cosmetic Ingredients launched an online training series called “The Secret Heroes of Personal Care.” Available on YouTube, experts working with the German cosmetic ingredients supplier convey in-depth insights about product protection in beauty products. With animations and stories, they aim to inform those who want to learn more about the science behind their cosmetic products. Product protection plays an essential role in the cosmetics industry, stresses the company. Symrise Cosmetic Ingredients shares its extensive knowledge in this area in a video series that started on September 21. In the short films, experts provide scientific insights into the philosophy and importance of product protection. They show the science, challenges and successful strategies. At the same time, they provide tips on the selection, combination, dosage and compatibility of cosmetic ingredients. The individual episodes of the series range from regulatory challenges to the latest developments in the cosmetics industry and specialist knowledge. This includes, for example, microbiological concerns in so-called “hurdle technology.”

Alland & Robert announced it is now offering FairFor Life-certified acacia gum for both Seyal and Senegal qualities. It claims this is the first time that such a certification is obtained in the gum acacia industry. Products displaying the FFL label are guaranteed to come from environmentally friendly processes practiced by fairly paid farmers, from a transparent and traceable supply chain, states the supplier.

By Benjamin Ferrer