Weekly Roundup: Sephora sells Russia-based subsidiary shares, L’Oréal partners for tech innovations

15 Jul 2022 --- This week in personal care news, Sephora will sell its Russian subsidiary to its local general manager. L’Oréal collaborated with Nasscom CoE for tech innovations from India. Meanwhile, MAC introduced its MAC Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Stick, pegged as a moisture-matte product.

Business news
Sephora signed an agreement to sell 100% of its Russia-based subsidiary shares to its local general manager, aimed at favoring continuity for employees. Going forward, this activity will be operated under the historical “Ile de Beauté” brand. This transaction is subject to clearance by relevant authorities, including anti-trust authorities. The company will also use digital commerce company commercetools’ expertise to unify its in-store and online shopping experiences for customers, bolster omnichannel offerings and increase personalization throughout its digital experiences. With commercetools, Sephora can take an adaptable approach to its digital experiences, allowing for the continuous development of frictionless features for its clients.

L’Oréal collaborated with Nasscom Center of Excellence (CoE) to co-develop and adopt technology, tapping into India’s technology and start-up ecosystems. Nasscom CoE has successfully accelerated the innovation needs of large and mid-size companies in healthcare, well-being, process and manufacturing. This joint initiative will help address the potential application of emerging technologies like AI, AR and virtual reality in cosmetic or dermatological product development, consumer evaluations, personalization and process optimization. 

Physicians Formula celebrates the 80s story through princess-inspired lipsticks, detention-inspired mascara and palettes.Skincare company Crown Laboratories added 60,000 square feet to its manufacturing complex in Johnson City, US. The additional 60,000 square feet will bring the Lafe Cox Drive facility to approximately 250,000 square feet – enough to accommodate the required warehouse space to keep up with Crown’s growing manufacturing and packaging needs. The facility manufactures and distributes products for the global market, including prescription, medical devices and cosmetic products.

Launches and releases
MAC introduced the Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Stick, which is pegged as having a more “powerfully decadent level of pigment” than its Powder Kiss sisters. The product lasts 12 hours and has a “mega-bold” color and “ultra-weightless” wear. The Velvet Blur has a creamy, cushiony feel with a plush pigment in its soft-matte finish. The formula may also result in softer and smoother lips with full-coverage shades. Additionally, MAC developed moisture-encapsulated powders that “wrap pigments in a hydrating veil” and a smoothing elastomer gel that provides glide.

Aloisia Beauty expanded its skincare line with the addition of an Anti-Aging and Brightening collection that features five products. The products are formulated to work individually and coactively to strengthen, smooth, plump and brighten skin. Each multi-action product in the collection incorporates Aloisia Beauty’s Anti-Aging and Brightening Complex, a formulation of scientifically proven ingredients with a high concentration of probiotic-derived fermented filtrates, which have a smaller molecular weight for maximum absorption and potency, paired with other anti-aging and brightening actives. Key ingredients within the complex include Bifida ferment filtrate, patented d-photogenic, niacinamide, green tea and adenosine to boost hydration and firmness, repair damage and brighten discoloration.

Burst Oral Care’s teeth whitening trays are suitable for at-home whitening treatments.In partnership with Universal Brand Development, Physicians Formula reimagined the 1980s film, The Breakfast Club with its licensed makeup collection. Inspired by the coming-of-age story, this seven-piece beauty collection “dives into memorable moments from the film and sparks nostalgia with every swatch.” The collection features princess-inspired lipsticks and detention-inspired mascara and palettes. Each product is infused with a butter blend of murumuru butter, cupuaçu butter and tucuma butter from the Amazon rainforest region.

Burst Oral Care unveiled the Teeth Whitening Trays by Burst. The trays are suitable and safe for at-home whitening treatment. The trays combine 12.5% hydrogen peroxide with acidity-lowering potassium hydroxide and soothing xylitol to achieve brightening results. Each custom-fit tray comes prefilled to reach in-between spaces and hard-to-reach places and requires 15-minute treatments.

Dr. Simran Sethi introduced her medical-grade skincare line this month, Skin, by Dr. Simran Sethi. The skincare range includes clinically and medically proven products to promote an optimal skin renewal cycle for darker skin tones. The products may also be suitable for the repair of hyperpigmentation, scarring, acne, environmental damage and inflammation. Skin by Dr. Simran Sethi consists of four skin systems: Hydration, Acne, Brightening and Signature, which were curated to target specific skin concerns and, when used together regularly, may yield results.

MAC’s new lipstick may make lips softer, smoother and hydrated with full-coverage shades.Exponent Beauty released the Time Rewind Retinol Powder, an addition to its skincare range. The serum is beneficial for achieving tighter, clearer and more youthful-looking skin. Time Rewind has been clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, even skin tone and texture and firm and smooth skin without irritation, resulting in 100% of test subjects showing clinically significant decreases in global facial fine lines and wrinkles, and 76% showing clinically significant increases in skin elasticity after four weeks. 

Regulations and accreditation
The CIRS Group, product safety and regulatory consulting firm, unveiled new cosmetics ingredients that will be approved for filing under old and new regulations. As of June 28, 2022, a total of 18 new cosmetic ingredients have been successfully filed, 13 of which are domestic new cosmetic ingredients. Assessments are primarily for new cosmetic ingredients filing or registration. According to the requirements of the above regulations, registration and filing of new cosmetic ingredients should be applied through the cosmetic declaration and assessment platform on the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) official website from May 1, 2021.

ModaModa won the “Cosmoprof North America Award 2022” held in Las Vegas, US. The biocosmetics company received the top spot in the hair category of the Cosmoprof North America Award. The company showcased its Pro-Change Black Shampoo and a range of new products which apply the natural browning process of plants to the darkening of gray hair. The Pro-Change Black Shampoo was nominated as one of the top four finalists from over 1,170 cosmetic brands worldwide and was selected as the final winner in the hair care sector at Cosmoprof Las Vegas. The Cosmoprof Award is recognized in the beauty world. It selects the best products in each category, including skincare, hair care, nail care, and make-up, based on innovation, marketability, marketing impact and brand-building potential.

By Nicole Kerr