News & Analysis on Cosmetics Innovation
High testing costs, scale-up risks and increasingly complex regulatory requirements are driving interest in digital tools that can model ingredient interactions and predict product performance before physical samples are produced.
For 2026, Lush is positioning its Lunar New Year collection as a case study in internal collaboration through its Co-Create program, a model that integrates staff input directly into product development.
In this month’s Indie Insights, Verli’s founder shares how the brand is addressing hormonal skin changes with biocompatible formulations designed for fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and perimenopause.
Over the years, the program expanded its mission to include sexual, racial, gender, and environmental equality, reaching more than 60 million lives across 92 countries and supporting more than 2,000 NGOs. Its latest impact report outlines next steps.
We spoke to the founders of Prereq Care to learn how feedback from teens and pre-teens informed everything from ingredient selection to leak-proof packaging and refillable formats behind the brand’s debut.
The expansion places the midlife-focused brand in select Wellness by Ulta Beauty boutiques and on the retailer’s e-commerce platform.
CNIB CEO Angela Bonfanti explains why a national salon partnership is reshaping how beauty brands, manufacturers, and suppliers can think about inclusion, literacy, and social impact.
Navigating Indonesia’s 2026 halal certification mandate, US beauty brands must adapt facility operations and supply chains for global market access, says American Halal Foundation director Mohammad Hussaini.
Skinmetal, a new mineral sunscreen brand created by Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson, targets young men with innovative, masculine skincare products to address low SPF use and promote long-term skin health.
The digitally native brand’s latest sub-brand aims to modernize masculine scent with clean formulations and inclusive branding.
The research is promising for industry stakeholders seeking a natural and inclusive ingredient option for post-acne skin care formulations.
Suntory-owned men’s skin care brand KIZEN seeks to answer the rising demand among US male consumers for skin care that delivers “maximum impact with minimal effort”.
Developed in-house by US-based men’s skin care brand Caldera + Lab, the system is designed for deeper penetration for targeted efficacy.
With Gen X responsible for 25% of total beauty spend in 2025, the data shows that “winning strategies must align with real market dynamics, addressing the distinct preferences of this diverse and ever-changing consumer group,” said Tara James Taylor,...
The move expands the visibility of menopause care in clean beauty, while giving Stripes a national distribution platform both online and in Credo’s 15 U.S. stores.
The brand, formerly popular with Gen Z consumers, failed to recover after missteps with its shade 600 launch last year.
The new menopause collection from Dove is targeting unmet skin care needs for women over age 45.
Lawmakers aim to bolster cosmetic safety with new regulations as ‘safe, accessible beauty cannot wait,’ according to bill sponsor Rep. Jan Schakowsky.
How are female entrepreneurs driving innovation in indie beauty? The sister duo behind NCLA Beauty tells us how to lead with clarity, resilience, and an understanding of today’s consumer values.
L’Oréal USA and industry partners are supporting the growing legislative movement for inclusive cosmetology standards, aiming to close long-standing gaps in professional training for stylists serving clients with textured hair.
Our panelists are back to provide their responses to some insightful questions asked during our recent webinar.
From hypochlorous mist to peptide-powered scalp care, June’s launches signal a continued focus on efficacy, accessibility, and inclusive positioning.
From Latina- and Black-owned startups to science-backed skincare, this year’s startup Pavilion highlighted how indie brands are driving change across multiple segments of the industry.
Cobra Starship frontman Gabe Saporta is betting on an all-in-one retinol and SPF product to bring simplicity—and humor—to the men’s skin care market.
“Providing opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome and other special needs to understand how to care for their skin and address frustrating skin issues is a first for this community and is totally overlooked in the beauty and wellness space,”...
You asked, they answered! From the unique needs of curly or textured hair to ingredient innovations and more, our experts are back to share their insights into the current trends in hair and scalp care.
In this month’s Indie Insights Q&A, Kazmaleje’s Co-Founder LaToya Stirrup shares how solving a personal hair care challenge sparked a brand built on inclusive design and community connection.
“The first Black-owned clean makeup brand to launch in Sephora,” according to the company’s press release, has closed its latest investment round led by Encore Consumer Capital.
“We wanted to extend the luxury experience and products that ELC and its brands offer to everyone, allowing visually impaired users to independently and confidently apply makeup without the need for another person,” Lynda Pak, Interim CIO at ELC told...
In this CosmeticsDesign Q&A, we sat down with BEAUTYSTREAMS’ Eleonora Mazzilli for her key takeaways from the insight platform’s latest whitepaper on the rise of immersive beauty.
e.l.f. Beauty, Dove, and Maybelline top the 2025 SeeMe Inclusivity Index. We spoke to SeeMe Index Co-Founder Asha Shivaji and Jason R. Klein to discuss what sets them apart from the competition.
New Mintel research reveals that 22% of Black consumers now use self-tanning products, up from just 8% in 2022, signaling a shift in beauty industry trends.
Researchers examined how AI-based clustering techniques can improve precision in skin tone classification - with 97% accuracy.
Recognizing the unique cosmetic and intimate needs of middle-aged beauty consumers, founder Liz Folce shares her insights behind the brand’s latest launch.
As demand grows, so does regulatory scrutiny—what intimate wellness brands need to know before making bold claims according to CosmeticsDesign guest author Kelly Bonner.
From Fenty Beauty to AI-driven personalization, cultural intelligence is changing the way brands are building lasting trust with diverse communities.
When personal experience meets product innovation, accessibility becomes beautiful—Tilt Beauty is leading the way.
“Pushback from marketplace interests” may be delaying the FDA’s formaldehyde ban, according to industry expert and attorney Allison Stevenson. But what does this mean for beauty manufacturers?
From AI-powered makeup assistants to smart lipsticks and more, brands are embracing Adaptive Beauty to cater to a diverse and evolving consumer base.
From reshaping perceptions of aging to tackling biases in beauty marketing, key takeaways from the Openstreams Global Beauty Industry Summit offer a path forward, according to Michael Nolte, SVP Creative Director at BEAUTYSTREAMS.
Unilever’s flagship skin care brand Dove says its research showed that body concerns manifest “as early as four years old.”
Discover how sustainability, global influences, and a booming male beauty market are transforming the industry as it gears up to exceed $750bn next year.
Discover the top trends and innovations shaping the future of beauty, straight from The Makeup Show Chicago.
Through the "For Women in Science" and "Inspiring Women in Science" Awards, Estee Lauder and L'Oréal USA recognize trailblazing women in STEM and commit to fostering the next generation of innovators.
In the latest Beauty 4.0 episode, CosmeticsDesign explores the booming menopausal beauty market with Christine Staples, CEO of Cohere Beauty, discussing how ingredient innovation and sustainable formulation are tackling specific skin care, hair care, and...
With Rogaine launching “National Hats Off Day” to shift the issue of men’s hair loss into a journey of growth, cosmetics and personal care brands have a unique opportunity to foster supportive, transparent conversations and address evolving consumer needs.
Estée Lauder’s new patent introduces a novel anti-aging skincare composition combining decarboxy carnosine HCL and Pyracantha fortuneana fruit extract, which shows synergistic effects in reducing lipofuscin or "age spots."
Beauty supplements player Nutrafol is entering the male topical market after learning that men "experience more scalp concerns than women and that shampoo is top of mind for over half of men (56%) when it comes to hair growth products", said Dr. Brianna...
e.l.f. Cosmetics and Tareen Dermatology have partnered with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Minnesota Wild, respectively, for the 2024-2025 NHL season to promote inclusivity, skin health, and community support through innovative campaigns and philanthropic...
As the global men’s personal care market continues to grow, Perfect Corp’s partnership with NuNorm illustrates how AI and AR tools like virtual try-on and Shade Finder are breaking down barriers for male consumers, driving longer site engagement and...