Weekly Roundup: Croda Solus Biotech acquisition boosts active portfolio, Dove debuts first nanotech-based body wash

10 Feb 2023 --- This week in personal care news, Croda acquired Solus Biotech and Shiseido launched NARS Cosmetics in India to accelerate growth in Asia-Pacific. Meanwhile, Yves Saint Laurent Beauty (YSL) announced Lila Moss – Kate Moss’ daughter – as its latest US brand ambassador, and Dove debuted a nanotechnology-based body wash.

Business news
Croda acquired the South Korea-based Solus Biotech for a total consideration of ₩350 billion (approximately US$276 million) on a debt-free, cash-free basis. Croda will gain access to Solus’ existing biotech-derived ceramide and phospholipid technologies and its emerging capabilities in natural retinol. Thereby, the acquisition will strengthen Croda’s Beauty Actives portfolio. Solus expands Croda’s Asian manufacturing capability and will create a new biotechnology R&D hub in the region. Solus also brings a portfolio of phospholipids spanning pharmaceutical applications and beauty care.

Azelis opened a new personal care application laboratory in Barcelona, Spain. The company is investing in innovation capabilities to offer new formulations and technical support to personal care customers throughout the region. The laboratory is equipped to service various personal care sub-segments and will focus on skin and hair care – complementing Azelis’ network of personal care laboratories across EMEA.Galderma’s Alastin Skincare ReSurface Skin Polish.

YSL Beauty revealed fashion and beauty star Lila Moss as its newest US ambassador. She was selected as the brand’s heritage of celebrating those at “the forefront of the next generation.” The brand touts Moss as bold and confident and captures the power of self-expression and authenticity manifested through makeup. Moss is redefining conventional attitudes and bringing a modern perspective to how we talk about beauty, says YSL Beauty.

Shiseido launched its global makeup brand NARS Cosmetics in India through a strategic distribution partnership agreement with Global SS Beauty Brands, a subsidiary of Shoppers Stop Limited. Shiseido aims to strengthen its prestige skin beauty brand portfolio and accelerate growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Shiseido entered the Indian market in 2001; however, India’s beauty market has evolved considerably, with consumers actively adding global prestige brands to their beauty product selection.

Launches and releases
Dove unveiled an enhanced Dove Body Wash featuring 24-hour Renewing MicroMoisture. The new formula is powered by nanotechnology to actively regenerate the skin’s moisture. The packaging design has also been upgraded to a “modern, user-friendly design” – the first upgrade in 17 years. The brand touts setting a new industry standard, as the Dove Body Wash is the first body wash in the US to harness nanotechnology. 

Galderma debuted Alastin Skincare ReSurface Skin Polish – the latest addition to the Alastin Skincare collection of scientifically formulated and clinically tested products. The product delivers a dual-action exfoliation through volcanic minerals and glycolic acid in a non-irritating, hydrating formula. Moreover, it has proven to help with skin dullness and roughness within a week. The company recommends using the product once a week, followed by a moisturizer.

KVD Beauty introduced the Good Apple Serum Foundation to its Good Apple family. It applies the nourishing apple formula found in the new serum foundation in the viral Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Foundation Balm and Good Apple Lightweight Full-Coverage Concealer. The product contains ultra-concentrated Elastomer Pigments that spread seamlessly over the skin, blurring pores and delivering maximum coverage. The serum contains antioxidants from apple extract to nourish and quince leaf extract to minimize shine and keep skin looking fresh.(Image credit: KVD Beauty).

Masque Bar launched compostable sheet masks, touted as the first-ever zero-waste compostable version of the Korean facial sheet mask. The clean, compostable sheet masks are made up of natural fiber. It is 99% natural, vegan, gluten-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny Certified. The Green Tea, Rose and Lavender Sheet Masks are compostable.

Body scrub manufacturer Tree Hut expanded its scents and self-care regimen to include Body Wash. The product is designed for people who like to layer scents as a self-care routine. With a focus on aromas, the brand aims to offer a base layer of scent to pair with other products. The brand dropped additional scents in their Shea Sugar Scrub, Whipped Body Butter and Sugar Face Scrub formulas. 

Awards and recognition
Firmenich became the first company in the industry and the seventh in the world to achieve the highest EDGE (Economic Dividends for Gender Equality) Lead certification in Brazil and Mexico. Firmenich also achieved the EDGE Move certification for efforts to ensure gender equality across its operations around the world. Moreover, Firmenich USA secured, in another industry-first, the EDGEplus level for its commitment and effective policies to eliminate ethnic pay inequality.

Symrise earned triple-A scores in the yearly sustainability ratings of the nonprofit organization CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project). The group achieved an A in all three categories of climate, water and forests. Symrise belongs to the 13 companies that earned a triple A out of more than 15,000 companies scored on a worldwide basis. The company has met the requirements three years in a row. 

By Venya Patel