COSMOFACTORY

Beauty consumers and ingredient makers alike are eager to discover how products can impact mood and act on the skin-brain axis, which is why neurocosmetics is a trend worth watching.    This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we survey brand innovations, ingredient research, formulation textures, packaging design, and retail strategy—all within the realm of neurocosmetics. Our guest is Melissa Hago...

Rainforest conservation is an under-leveraged opportunity when it comes to cosmetic and personal care ingredient sourcing. There are however, ambitious suppliers working to ensure that sustainable wild harvesting is not only environmentally beneficial and economically feasible but also a reliable source of high-quality effective beauty care ingredients.    This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we...

Demand for bio-based and bio-degradable cosmetic ingredients is at an all-time high, which is why suppliers are working to develop replacements for conventional polymers, esters, and emollients like silicones.   This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about one multinational supplier intent on inventing high-volume sustainable ingredients. Our guest is Johannes Crotogino, Sustainable Innova...

Sustainability is driving innovation and new business models in the cosmetics and personal care industry. And tools that measure progress toward truly circular beauty are increasingly useful for decision making and communication.  This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we find out how climate data platforms are helping beauty makers measure their impact and move toward a circular business model. O...

Hair treatment products that provide UV protection, pollution protection, and help prevent hair damage caused by these and other environmental aggressors are getting more sophisticated. Contract manufacturers, raw material suppliers, and clinical testing labs are all contributing to this next generation of hair care.  This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we discover where the ideas for hair care...

Creating a beauty brand and crafting a product line takes a lot of work. What comes next—ensuring that your brand resonates with the market and generates revenue—is perhaps even more challenging.    This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we explore market readiness and how indie beauty brand leaders can be ready to meet with retail buyers and begin to build the relationships that will unlock succe...

Animal cell culture technologies have clear applications in the food industry as well as in research and testing. But at least one ingredient innovator sees the cosmetic ingredient potential of fish cell culture tech.   This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about a new animal-friendly method of skincare ingredient development. Our guest is Carrie Chan, Co-Founder and CEO of Avant. With op...

Creating a makeup brand that stands out and scales in the highly competitive (and some would say saturated) beauty marketplace takes vision, tenacity, and flexibility. Indie beauty brands and startups face a lot of challenges. And yet, it seems there is always room for success in our industry.     This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn about the business behind brand extensions; the effor...

Wellness is top of mind for consumers today. And some are turning to essential oils and cosmetic aromatherapy to find beauty benefits, emotional benefits, physical health benefits, and more.     This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider the skincare benefits of aromatherapy, how the practice is linked to Traditional Korean Medicine, and why essential oils and their mechanism of action mak...

The ethical commercialization of non-timber products can help preserve standing forests and biodiversity; support local workers; and bring sought-after benefits to cosmetic product formulations.   This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we’re learning about wild-harvesting of Illipe butter and other butters, oils, and sugars with skincare, hair care, and personal care applications. Our guest is Dir...

The cosmetics industry in Indonesia is growing exponentially. And one legacy producer is making a noteworthy impact across Indonesia, throughout Asia, and globally—because of its well-known brands, novel bioactive ingredients, extensive research partnerships, a broad retail presence, and more.    This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we gain insight into Indonesia’s market conditions, regional tr...

Bacteriophage technology is being used to address acne, eczema, and other dysbiotic skin concerns. Some microbiology companies are working with endolysins (proteins produced by phages), others are focused on formulating skincare with phages themselves.    This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider possible cosmetic industry applications for bacteriophage technology. Our guest is Milan Buna...

Africa has the world’s youngest and second-largest population. The continent is also seeing rapid urban growth. And in terms of cosmetic and personal care products, skincare is performing well. All of these are reasons why beauty makers of every size—including L'Oréal—are targeting consumers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).   This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about L’Oréal’s go-to-market...

Longevity, skin vitality, and regenerative beauty are very in vogue. Both legacy beauty makers and inventive startup brands are working with the latest science and skincare ingredients to bring new benefits to consumers.    This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about a proprietary skincare ingredient borrowed directly from the world of regenerative medicine. Our guest is Alec Batis, CEO a...

Bathing and wellness are as mainstream today as personal care is. CPG brands that invite consumers into an immersive self-care routine, that formulate with culturally traditional ingredients, and that bring therapeutic benefits to bath time are winning in the global marketplace.    This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we discover the world of Japanese bath culture. Our guest is Takeshi Nobuhara,...

In the beauty industry, water conservation is everyone’s business. And for even one brand to launch one product that moves things forward, it’s a collective effort—involving ingredient tech, manufacturing processes, and packaging design along with feedback from consumers and salon professionals.    This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we’re learning about an eco-chic powder-to-lather shampoo. Ou...

Behind every well-executed cosmetic or personal care brand, you’ll find an abundance of resourcefulness and research—which translate into winning formulations, manufacturing operations, marketing strategies, and retailer partnerships.   This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we think about brand building through a very contemporary beauty industry lens, where ESG, traceability, brand incubators, c...

Color cosmetic product performance is as in demand as skincare efficacy. To meet beauty consumer expectations, it takes careful ingredient development and selection, along with creative formulation and innovative production methods.   This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we’re learning about the behind-the-scenes ingenuity that’s necessary to improve the formulations and functions of cosmetic po...

Palm oil ingredients are incredibly commonplace in cosmetic and personal care product formulations. For environmental and regulatory reasons, consumer goods manufacturers are pushing for traceable, tree-free replacements.     This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we look at the convergence of natural and scientific innovation along the beauty ingredient supply chain. Our guest is Shara Ticku, Co-...

Beauty tech solutions are changing the way cosmetic scientists discover ingredients, reverse engineer product benchmarks, and conduct competitive analysis. In this way, AI software accelerates speed-to-market and makes more room for creativity and product differentiation.    This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider how Artificial Intelligence can help formulators expedite product benchma...

Solid beauty and waterless products are increasingly common now that sustainable innovation is a priority for cosmetic brands and personal care manufacturers. The challenge comes in developing a novel skincare format, for instance, that is both eco-friendly and in line with consumer behavior.    This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we discover how a team of research and development professionals...

Cosmetic product development is a mix of art, science, and business. It also helps if you have built solid industry relationships, make time to attend tradeshows, and know where to find inspiration.   This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we dive into cosmetic product innovation strategy. Our guest is Akshay Talati, Vice President of Product Development, Research & Innovation, Regulatory - Be...

Green Chemistry principles have relevance throughout the chemical sector. Along the cosmetic and personal care supply chain, they’re evident in new ingredient development, raw material sourcing, and more.   This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn how novel ingredient science is being used to replace petrochemical ingredients with clean, plant-based alternatives. Our guest is Oihana Elizald...

 As beauty consumer expectations and manufacturer capabilities advance, technologies such as AI, machine learning, and predictive modeling are supporting product development across cosmetics, personal care, wellbeing, and beyond.     On the CosmoFactory podcast this week, we look at the many facets of innovation strategy and the challenges of harmonizing cosmetic consumer insights from 60 countrie...

Sustainable skincare actives sourced from New Zealand’s marine and forest plant life are a rarity in the cosmetic ingredient marketplace. But that’s changing thanks to the wisdom of indigenous Māori culture and innovative extraction technologies.    This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we discover how an indie skincare brand became an award-winning global ingredient manufacturer. Our guest is An...