Casting an eye through the most popular stories on CosmeticsDesign.com using data generated from new tracking software revealed that scandal is as appealing to cosmetics industry followers as it is to readers of the popular press.
Scandal leads the way
At the top of the pile were accusations from a former L’Oreal executive that the company used ingredients in markets where they were banned and sold products that contain unlawfully high levels of preservatives.
Jerome Chevalier claims that he was harassed and ultimately dismissed by L’Oreal USA after he complained about the company’s allegedly unlawful activities.
The former head of regulatory affairs has filed a suit against L'Oreal USA in Union County Court, New Jersey. The world’s largest cosmetics company said it has investigated the complaint and 'unequivocally denies' the allegations. To read the original article click here.
Controversial science
Outspoken critics featured highly in the most read stories of the year. Causing a stir and attracting readers was recently published research suggesting that oxidative damage may not be the major culprit in aging.
Scientists studying the nematode worm at University College London called into question the importance of free radical damage in the aging process and cast doubt on the power of antioxidants to roll back the clock.
The controversial paper provoked much discussion in the industry. To read some of the feedback collected by CosmeticsDesign.com click here.
New ingredients attract interest
Controversy aside, exciting new ingredients and emerging trends are always popular among readers and 2008 was no exception.
The ingredient stories that attracted the most readers ranged from the surreal, notably the potential of baby foreskin as an anti-aging treatment, to serious discussions on new ingredients on the frontiers of cosmetic science.
Our face-to-face video interviews with some of the leading lights in cosmetics research at HBA Global Expo in New York and In-Cosmetics in Amsterdam proved particularly popular with readers. To view the video interviews from 2008 click here.