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The big question we're addressing in 2024 is how we create cosmetics now—considering a potential political change on the horizon, the rise of global sustainability legislation, and a more hazard-driven approach to ingredient selection. The industry is on the cusp of significant transformation. This month, with the help of my guests: Arnita Wofford - Global Marketing Director, Technical Marketing I...

The big question we're addressing in 2024 is: How do we now create cosmetics? The cosmetics industry is adapting to two significant yet seemingly conflicting social forces: the digital revolution and climate change. These forces reshape how products are created and brought to life through innovation. In this episode, with the assistance of my panel: Mallory Huron, Beauty & Wellness Strategist...

We started this year by asking one crucial question: Is 'circularity' achievable in the cosmetics industry? Throughout the year, with the help of industry experts, we've explored how companies integrate this concept into their operations. This month, with the help of my panel Richard Cope, Senior Trend Consultant at Mintel Jessi Baker, Founder & CEO at Provenance Jo Chidley, Founder at Reposit...

The skin is home to a diverse ecosystem of bacteria, essential for maintaining skin health. In recent years, the beauty industry has recognised the importance of the skin microbiome, leading to innovative product developments and new marketing strategies. Yet, as this area grows, the question remains: how will the industry ensure it respects and supports the natural plant ecosystems? This month Ha...

In an era of sustainability, the fragrance industry is making waves by turning to eco-friendly, circular solutions that captivate our senses and respect our planet. This month, with the help of my panel:  Frances Shoemack , Founder & CEO at  Abel, A New Zealand-based 100% natural fragrance house.   Nick Vaus,  Partner and Creative Director at  Free The Birds, a UK-based independent brand and c...

Hemp plants flourish with astounding speed, requiring only a modest plot of land and minimal pesticides. Their roots delve deep, sourcing water and nutrients well below the topsoil, and they possess the remarkable ability to purify the air by absorbing heavy metals. Hemp products seamlessly align with the contemporary consumer’s preference for sustainable, health-centric, and wellness-based beauty...

In previous episodes, we have discussed the concept of the Circular Cosmetics industry, mainly regarding the impact on ‘People & Planet’. This month with the help of my panel, Dr Julia Baines  Science Policy Manager at  PETA Dr Carol Treasure, the Founder & CEO at XCellr8 Vic Wood, the Founder of   greanerbeauty.com we discuss the impact a circular industry could or should have on the animal kingd...

Could solid personal care products be the future of circular cosmetics? Solid formulas cut down on packaging, reduce water consumption, and are perfect for travel. But how can the industry convince the consumer to swap bottles for bars? This month, Prof Dr Jeroen Hugenholtz  CTO at  NoPalm  Ingredients.   Ben Grace  Founder at SBTRACT skincare Samir Lakhani  Chief EcoSoap Officer at  Eco-Soap Bank...

It is estimated that somewhere between 4,000 and 6,000 tons of sunscreen enter the world's seas each year. This devastates coral reefs and affects the fertility of marine life, ultimately negatively impacting human health. How can the cosmetics industry reformulate sunscreen to do better for people and the planet? This month Sara Dudley , CEO of The Sunscreen Company  Allard Marx , Founder, and CE...

Are we getting ‘Sustainable Skin Care’ all wrong? Are the only raw materials choices for cosmetic formulators & chemists between earth-harvested ingredients and lab-engineered ingredients? Or is there a third way? How can beauty manufacturers reformulate, reposition, and renew exciting product portfolios into a circular model? This month Natalie Deacon , Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainab...

The road to a circular cosmetics industry is fraught with challenges on both the manufacturing and consumption sides of the equation. One only has to look at the ‘hair care’ category to understand that 80% of ‘waste’ is produced from consumption, not production. But as gatekeepers to the industry, how can R&D, production, marketing, and retail teams work together to mitigate the ‘hair care’ catego...

The 1980s, a decade that began with a recession, which triggered an oil crisis and was at the height of the Cold War tension between Russia & the West, was also the decade in which the consolidation of modern environmental awareness, sustainability policies, and a new perception of the relationship between industry, society, and land become rooted in corporate strategy. In 2023 the evolutionary un...

Throughout 2022 we have explored via niche product categories how cosmetic companies are future-proofing their businesses. This month with the help of my forward-thinking panel,  Philippe Guguen   CEO  at   Map Emulsion Dirk-Jan Oudshoorn  Founder at   Forestwise  Julien Tremblin General Manager Terracycle Europe  we will discuss how to FuTure Proof The Cosmetic Industry.

How is the color cosmetics industry future-proofing itself for the circular economy?  A notoriously difficult product category to share, lease, reuse, repair, refurbish and recycle.  Who are the innovators and how can the legacy brands learn from their business models? Tune in and listen to this month’s panel, Cat Tuner  , Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder of Cult LDN + NYC Adam Triantis,  Co-fo...

The human microbiome is inherited from mother to baby at birth  And is the genetic material of all the microbes - bacteria, fungi, and viruses - that live on and inside the human body.   It helps digest our food, regulate our immune system, protect against other bacteria that cause disease, and produce vitamins.  Is it correct that the microbiome beauty movement has been marketed as a ‘product cat...

A recent McKinsey report estimated the global wellness market to be US$1.5 trillion, with an annual growth rate somewhere between 5 -10 percent. And while the concept of wellness in beauty is not new, the category is becoming increasingly crowded.  Indeed, this week alone Stella MacCartney & Kate Moss launched brands. And with that in mind what will be the winning strategies needed for companies t...

At its core Veganism is a way of living in which people exclude, as much as possible, all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty. For the beauty industry Vegan/Veganism has become a product category That has in recent years been position alongside but not separates from ‘Organic Beauty’ ‘Clean Beauty’ “Natural Beauty’ ‘Bio-based Beauty’ ’ Plant-Based Beauty’ “Sustainable beauty’ In this ever-so...

A 2022 McKinsey report on the beauty market suggests that ‘creating a path to a more equitable beauty market represents a US$2.6 billion opportunity, and the road forward—while perhaps not easy—is clear’   However, If the cosmetics industry implements the category growth strategies of the past, will it not produce the same 'overconsumption' result as the present? Or could there be a third more via...

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines for the word ‘clean’ as: Free from dirt or pollution Unadulterated, pure Free from moral corruption or sinister connections of any kind Ceremonially or spiritually pure Thorough, complete Relatively free from error or blemish Characterized by clarity and precision Empty Habitually neat As the ‘clean beauty’ category pivots from niche to mass production, marketing...

24 months after the first global lockdown How is the Professional Beauty category … capitalising on digital technologies whilst balancing sustainability issues and competing with the new kid on the block ‘Personalisation ‘? ... metamorphosing into a sector fit for the 21st Century consumer? Miranda Mathews   Managing Director UK & IE at Treatwell  Sharon Nykaza  General Manager at OWAY United Stat...

The CBD Beauty category is still in its infancy Without the research to back it up its ‘active ingredient' benefits within products is still doubted It’s ‘extraction methodology' still mistrusted And 'capital investment' is long-term So how will this ‘fledgling category' survive and thrive the ‘shocks and stresses’ of the new business environment? This month’s panel of experts ... Anna Simon Strat...

Is investing in ‘digital’ products, people, and services the best way to future-proof the beauty industry? Or indeed should the industry focus be on ‘sustainable’ products, people, and services? How can companies navigate the new beauty landscape whilst also dealing with the effects of global shocks and stresses to the current business climate? This month’s panel Mimi Ghosh    - Technology & Disru...

If the concept of future-proofing is the process of anticipating the future and developing methods of minimizing the effects of shocks and stresses of future events How can the cosmetics industry plan ahead? What trends do we follow and who should lead them? What tools are needed and where do we find them? What standards are required and who should set them? This month’s panel Arnita Wofford Globa...

And just like that it’s 2022! What will this year have in-store for the global cosmetics industry? As corporations move away from shareholder capitalism towards stakeholder capitalism How can the beauty economy future-proof itself? What are the tools needed and where do we find them? What are the investments needed and how do we access them? What standards are needed and how do we measure them? Wh...

2020 will always be remembered as the ‘pandemic year’, but what will 2021 be remembered for? Were lessons learned? Did the industry ReThink itself? Or did it keep calm and carry on, and follow the manta ‘If it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it’? This month’s panel, Mallory Huron , Strategist, for Beauty & Wellness at Fashion Snoops  Iva Teixeira , CEO at   Good Face Project  Beatrice Aidin , journali...