Weekly Roundup: Malaysian Palm Oil enters UAE markets, Estée Lauder unveils grantees of Writing Change program

11 Feb 2022 --- This week in personal care news, the Estée Lauder Companies revealed the first-year grantees of its Writing Change program in partnership with US inaugural poet Amanda Gorman. Lisa Barlow has sold beauty brand Nicole+Brizee (N+B) to Channel Op. Meanwhile, Malaysian palm oil is set to enter the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market.

India-based hypermarket and retail operator LuLu Group International and the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) signed a memorandum of understanding to promote Malaysia’s palm oil-based products in the UAE. 

This agreement marks the inauguration of MPOC’s Malaysian Palm Oil Full of Goodness consumer campaign, launched by Malaysia’s deputy minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Willie Anak Mongin. 

Beauty and the business
Lisa Barlow, a cast member of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, has sold her beauty and body care brand. Her brand, N+B, was purchased by Channel Op for an undisclosed amount. Conceptualized in 2018 and launched in 2019, the brand has enjoyed moderate success at shops and online retailers.

Barlow is known for her shiny, strong locks that she attributes to N+B products, which she still reportedly uses despite the sale.After its launch, the brand grew quickly, getting picked up by retail giants like Walmart, Target, Sally’s and Amazon. The line consists of over 20 products for all hair types, including curl cream, luxury shampoos and styling products for adults, babies and pets. 

Alchemee has released a new skincare brand to alleviate hyperpigmentation, Restorative Elements. From the makers of Proactive, Restorative Elements offers a “long-term” solution to hyperpigmentation concerns in the form of a three-step routine for users. 

The line contains a Brightening Gel Cleanser, Alpha Hydroxy Acid Resurfacing Pads, and a Dark Mark Corrector for targeted care. In clinical trials, 92% of users saw an improvement in skin texture, while 90% said their post-acne pigmentation had reduced, and 92% said their skin looked more radiant after eight weeks of regular use of all three products.

Corporate responsibility
The Estée Lauder Companies has announced the first-year grantees of its Writing Change program launched in partnership with Estée Lauder Global Changemaker and youngest US inaugural poet, Amanda Gorman. 

The US$3 million literacy impact initiative is a global, three-year program inspired by Gorman to combat illiteracy, which UNESCO says affects 773 million people globally. The program offers funding to institutions and organizations that positively impact literacy rates in diverse and disenfranchised communities. 

The first-year winners include the American Library Association, the “world’s largest” library organization; We Need Diverse Books, a non-profit combating racism by expanding access to literature by diverse writers; and Girls Write Now, an organization that matches young people, mostly of color and of low socioeconomic status to writing mentor to help realize their potential.

Lastly, Colgate-Palmolive launched its global Know Your OQ campaign as a part of a five-year, US$100 million commitment to oral health. The company says that by helping people understand their OQ – standing for oral health quotient – consumers will be able to further understand the link between oral health and full-body health.

Specifically, Colgate-Palmolive aims to see oral health become a more prominent topic in global public health strategies. On the Know Your OQ website, users can take a test to determine their OQ score. The website also contains information on the global oral health crisis and resources for care personnel such as nurses and physicians.

An estimated 3.5 billion people suffer from oral disease globally.

Edited by Olivia Nelson