Looking over the most popular stories on CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com, data generated from a new tracking software revealed a taste for controversy among cosmetics industry followers.
Ingredient safety pulls in readers
At the head of the ‘most read’ list was research from North Carolina State University suggesting that Triclosan upsets thyroid function and the onset of puberty in male rats.
The industry was quick to defend Triclosan, which is used in a number of personal care products including soap and deodorant. To read the criticisms of the original study click here.
Ingredient and product safety was one of the hottest topics of 2008. The biggest impact was made by French health minister Roselyne Bachelot who called into question the safety of cosmetics for pregnant women.
Her comments, and in particular her suggestion that a specific logo be introduced warning pregnant women off certain products, attracted readers and provoked a speedy retort from the French trade association FEBEA. To read the original comments and the FEBEA response click here.
Major certification moves
The past year was also marked by important certification and regulatory developments.
The events that attracted the most attention were the launch of a carbon footprint standard, the inclusion of a new preservative on the EU positive list and the long awaited draft publication of natural and organic standards.
Economic slowdown hits headlines
As the year came to a close and the global economic outlook dimmed, financial news began to dominate the headlines and grab the attention of readers.
The revelation that Budelpack COSi in Wales was going into receivership and taking hundreds of jobs with it and the L’Oreal announcement that the biggest cosmetics firm was cutting sales and profit forecasts were the two most read financial news items of the year.
Moving into 2009 we can expect more articles on the impact of the changing economic landscape. CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com will keep a close eye on all the latest developments and will also engage readers with more audiovisual content and comment articles.