May in review: Estée Lauder in the spotlight, C-beauty demand, NYSCC Suppliers’ Day 2026

Last month, Estée Lauder ended its merger talks with Puig, following complications. The beauty company also took a minority investment in 111Skin. 

Chinese beauty brands are rapidly expanding their global presence, supported by rising consumer demand. The nation’s cosmetics imports and exports exceeded US$24.8 billion in 2025, making it one of the world’s largest cosmetics consumer markets. 

IFF sold its Food Ingredients business to CVC Capital Partners, and Tate & Lyle explored a potential £2.7 billion (US$3.7 billion) takeover by Ingredion. Both decisions reflected strategic moves by ingredient companies to reshape their portfolios toward personal care.

Meanwhile, at NYSCC Suppliers’ Day 2026 in New York, US, Personal Care Insights uncovered the latest trends across the industry.

We look back at the biggest stories from May.

Estée Lauder takes stake in 111Skin to capture post-procedure care surge 

The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) made a minority investment in luxury skin care brand 111Skin. The deal works to expand the conglomerate’s portfolio in clinical skin care, particularly for post-aesthetic treatment recovery, a strongly emerging market. The investment aligns with ELC’s continued focus on science-driven innovation, as 111SKIN’s commitment to clinical-led product development reflects consumers’ growing preference for high-performance and preventative skin care. 

Flo Health: Bridging personal and health care for faster endometriosis diagnoses 

Flo Health found that digital tools, like its Symptom Checker, can help reduce the time for an endometriosis diagnosis by over four years. Dr. Anna Klepchukova, Flo Health’s chief medical officer, spoke to us about the industry’s role in solving the endometriosis diagnosis gap. We discussed how many women suffer years of undiagnosed pain, but Flo’s solutions combine personal and health care to fill a crucial gap in accessible and reliable information.A representative from Biocogent spoke about RNActivate W at Suppliers’ Day. 

EC Safety Gate: Industry “structural failure” reveals opportunity for compliant brands 

The European Commission’s (EC) Safety Gate report showed a rise in dangerous cosmetic product alerts, highlighting industry compliance issues. The CEO of Arcus Compliance told Personal Care Insights that rapid growth has led to more alerts. He urged brands to prioritize safety and regulatory adherence, noting that those who do so gain consumer trust and a competitive edge.

Armani allegedly exploring equal split of 15% stake between LVMH, L’Oréal and EssilorLuxottica 

Giorgio Armani’s heirs were reported to be selling a 15% stake in the company, split between LVMH, L’Oréal, and EssilorLuxottica. Following founder Giorgio Armani’s death in September 2025, CEO Giuseppe Marsocci was said to be developing a plan for the sale. L’Oréal was allegedly focused on Armani Beauty, while LVMH could pursue operations across the entire Armani brand.

Tate & Lyle and Ingredion discuss takeover amid personal care push 

Tate & Lyle explored a £2.7 billion (US$3.7 billion) takeover by US rival Ingredion. The move highlights the rising appetite for plant-based, multifunctional, and higher-margin ingredients. The companies are primarily known for their activity in the food and beverage (F&B) industry. However, both are increasingly expanding beyond food into personal care and cosmetics. 

C-beauty expands globally with help from Korea and France 

Chinese cosmetics are gaining traction internationally, with trade figures vouching for the growth. But unlike K-beauty’s competitive rise to global power, C-beauty appears to be reshaping industry alliances and challenging what cosmetic hierarchy looks like. Chinese beauty brands are supported by rising consumer demand, Korean manufacturing partnerships, and growing collaboration with French fragrance and ingredient suppliers. We explored how the industry’s shifting alliances may signal a new era of competition and cooperation in global beauty.

Report flags beauty “optimizers” as lucrative market opportunity 

Boston Consulting Group and Women’s Wear Daily identified “optimizers” — consumers blending traditional beauty products with aesthetic and wellness solutions — as a fast-growing, lucrative force in the beauty industry. We took a look at how trends like AI-powered beauty research and weight loss medications are reshaping consumer behavior. dsm-firmenich told us about Parsol Shield, a UV filter that is expected to be the first approved by the US FDA in over 25 years. 

Puig shares drop as Estée Lauder walks away 

ELC ended its merger talks with Puig, following complications, including a last-minute dispute involving Charlotte Tilbury’s brand rights. The news triggered a 13% drop in Puig’s shares, while Estée Lauder’s stock rose 10% in premarket trading. ELC said it will continue to pursue its standalone Beauty Reimagined strategy, focusing on long-term growth.

NYSCC Suppliers’ Day 2026: Biotech and multifunctionality surge while sun care enters new era 

Biotech-driven actives, multifunctional ingredients, and sun care innovations dominated the show floor at Suppliers’ Day. Exhibitors showcased how science and sustainability shape skin and hair products, with biotech enabling cellular repair and streamlining formulations. Additionally, we unpacked how new sun care ingredients are improving SPF performance and sensory experience.

IFF secures US$4.3B Food Ingredients sale to sharpen focus on scent and health 

IFF announced the sale of its Food Ingredients business to CVC Capital Partners for US$4.3 billion. As a result, the company will sharpen its focus on scent, health, and biosciences. IFF plans to use the proceeds to reduce debt, strengthen cash flow, and invest in growth. The move is one of a recent wider industry trend toward portfolio simplification.