Weekly Roundup: Henkel closes Russian businesses, Babyganics recalls bubble bath

22 Apr 2022 --- This week in personal care news, Henkel is closing its businesses in Russia. Babyganics has issued a voluntary recall of its Chamomile Verbena Bubble bath following reports of potential bacterium contamination. LG H&H acquired a majority stake in beauty brand The Crème Shop. ADEKA Europe and DKSH have entered an exclusive distribution partnership. Mielle Organics is coming to Ulta Beauty stores. Meanwhile, FRÉ Skincare launched a new vitamin C serum, Pili Ani celebrated the launch of its lip butters, and Shiseido launched a skincare brand on French markets.

Pili Ani products come in sleek, sophisticated packaging.Business news
Germany-based chemical manufacturer Henkel has joined the mass exodus of businesses across industries from Russia as a result of the war on Ukraine. The company is still supporting employees stuck inside of the country, and noted it will retain and continue to employ its 2,500 Russia-based workers. The company had just completed the expansion of its Russian beauty care plant back in 2020 following a 2013 acquisition. The plant had a productive capacity of more than 300 million units of finished products per year. Over the past 10 years, the company has invested more than US$302 million in Russia. In March, the company froze its Russian investments and stopped advertising on Russian state-owned media channels and sponsoring activities.

Curly and natural hair brand Mielle Organics is expanding its distribution to be featured in Ulta Beauty stores, the largest beauty retailer on the US market. The move brings Mielle Organics’ products to more than 1,300 Ulta Beauty stores and to the Ulta website. Monique Rodriguez, founder of Mielle Organics, explains the launch is the culmination of eight years of brand-building. The company’s products include ingredients like buriti fruit oil, honey, ginger, mint, avocado and white peony. These ingredients are currently available at US retail giants such as Sally Beauty, Target, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Walmart.Ulé is currently available on French markets.

South Korean conglomerate LG H&H has purchased a majority stake in The Crème Shop, a Los Angeles, California-based beauty house. The economically-priced skincare and makeup brand was founded by South Korean expats Christina and Lawrence Kim, and has a strong Gen Z and Millennial appeal. Its products are known to be vibrant and “whimsical” and promote a strong ethical message. The brand, which aims to spotlight Korean culture, has experienced significant growth in the face of COVID-19 related supply chain issues. The Crème Shop currently retails at Ulta Beauty, CVS, Macy’s and Urban Outfitters in the US. So far, the company has collaborated on products with brands that harken to users’ childhoods like Hello Kitty, BT21 and Disney.

DKSH partnered with ADEKA Europe, a Germany-based provider of polymer additives for Swiss, Austrian and German markets. DKSH’s business unit will provide ADEKA Europe assistance with business development, marketing, sales, logistics and distribution services for all personal care products across Switzerland, Germany and Austria.

FRÉ’s serum rides the current vitamin C product wave.Product news
Babyganics is voluntarily recalling select batches of its 20 oz Babyganics brand Chamomile Verbena Bubble Bath following a potential contamination with the bacterium Pluralibacter gergoviae. The recall was issued after two lot numbers were found to contain the pathogen during routine shelf-life testing. While Pluralibacter gergoviae does not pose a high risk to healthy babies and adults, it can cause infections in immunocompromised people or those with broken skin, such as cuts or diaper rash. Consumers are advised to throw away bottles of bubble bath with the lot codes Y314 and Y315 on the bottom. The company says it will refund those with contaminated products. The products had been sold for two months at US retailers before being flagged. Babyganics did not find contamination in any other product.

Shiseido unveiled its new natural and eco-conscious skincare and beauty-from-within brand, Ulé, launching in May on the company’s e-commerce platform and in its brand boutique, located in Paris, France. The line encourages “healthy beauty” through inner and outer approaches. The line will feature eight products, including serums, a CBD moisturizer and an All In & Out Phyto Nutritive Oil that can be both ingested and applied to the skin. Its ingredients are also locally sourced, with 84% coming from within France, the company notes.

Pili Ani celebrated the launch of its new lip butters with a party at E.P. & L.P. located in West Hollywood. The event was attended by several local influencers, and guests got an exclusive look at the four new lip butters. The luxury skincare brand made from elemi and pili oils released the butters in different flavors and colors, and are currently available on the Pili Ani website.

Meanwhile, FRÉ Skincare showcased its new “C ME” vitamin C serum, to be released next week. The brand, touted as offering skincare for “women who work out,” says the serum repairs dark spots and smoothies lines. The product contains 10% vitamin C from a Japan-based source. The formula is tried and tested on athletes and fully vegan.

Edited by Olivia Nelson

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