Following many milestones and achievements in 2022, the British beauty sector is bracing for a turbulent trading period ahead that it plans to tackle collaboratively, says the CEO of the British Beauty Council.
There have been huge waves of innovation, collaboration and change in the beauty category this past year. Here, CosmeticsDesign-Europe takes a look back at our most-read stories in 2022.
Logistical challenges and energy struggles are plaguing smaller independent beauty brands such as Shakeup Cosmetics, which says it is doing as much as it can not to pass on rising costs to its consumers.
Colours that amplify and communicate product benefits, influence mood and enable self-expression will rise in importance by Autumn 2024 as the beauty industry shifts away from blander hues, says WGSN.
Turkey-based make-up brand Note Cosmetique is refreshing its attempt at expand in Asia Pacific and has its eyes on China, India, Indonesia, as colour cosmetics continues to show promising recovery post-pandemic.
The beauty and personal care industry must invest more in better understanding complex chemical supply chains and work with its partners to drive sustainable action, especially during disruptive times with COVID-19, Brexit and the climate crisis, says...
The beauty and personal care category must start upgrading and innovating formulas and products to empower consumers to take shorter, colder showers – drawing inspiration from hospitals, beer brands and more, says a senior futurologist.
UK beauty retailer Superdrug has unveiled its budget own-brand makeup range designed to provide better accessibility for all consumers – a move that aligns well with the cost of living crisis and consumer trends, says an expert.
UNEP 2022 Adaptation Gap Report and Emissions Gap Report
Whilst many countries worldwide are working to tackle the climate crisis, actions are not keeping pace with real-world risks and impacts on planet and people, largely due to huge funding gaps, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The beauty industry has an important role to play in empowering women worldwide aged 40+ and must move away from ageist language to better reflect the maturing confidence felt amongst this cohort, says Avon’s global VP of marketing.
International beauty major L’Oréal has reported a worldwide surge in sales for the third quarter (Q3) of 2022, capturing growth across all divisions but especially active cosmetics, despite inflationary pressures in many countries.
No-rinse shampoos are both trendy and, when effective, could have a significant impact on the quality of life and hygiene of the elderly, bedridden and ICU patients.
Personal care giant Procter & Gamble (P&G) has reported a small rise in net sales and a dip in net profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2023, forecasting a continued difficult cost and operating environment, particularly in Europe, for the rest...
A team of Japanese dermatologists believe COVID-19-related hair loss is likely due to the overproduction of cytokine that is typically associated with the disease.
Beauty retail major Sephora is set to absorb prestige beauty e-commerce player Feelunique’s domain this week, kickstarting the start of its wider UK market re-entry plans.
Makeup trends over the next three years will be shaped by a rush of post-pandemic creativity and increasing engagement in virtual realities and tech, says WGSN.
The concern over long COVID and its impact on skin health will drive consumer demand for safety, thereby pushing more cosmetic companies to develop products in accordance with the ISO natural origin index, according to a new review.
Temporary retail spaces offer beauty brands opportunity to build hype and drive community post-pandemic – both key in an increasingly competitive UK market, says Mintel.
Customised cosmetics innovation will be a significant driver of the South Korean beauty market and will provide it “unique” competitive edge, according to a new review.
Beauty tech investments have largely focused on digital and e-commerce, but consumers are looking for technology in-store as well to improve the overall shopping experience, providing significant opportunity for brands and retailers, according to Mintel.
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from August 2022 shows interest in why consumers take collagen supplements, Colgate-Palmolive’s patent on an AI oral health care device, WGSN research on consumer thinking around preservatives, and...
Shaved heads, no eyebrows and messy makeup are some of the latest visuals popping up in beauty as Generation Z emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic looking to flip the lid on dated, traditional narratives.
German personal care major Beiersdorf has plans to expand La Prairie’s offline presence in China with 10 more touchpoints as the brand rebounds strongly in the pandemic-plagued market.
Colgate, Lifebuoy, Dove and Sunsilk have fiercely and consistently expanded reach over the years, edging into new categories and plugging new consumer needs to stay on top of the fast-moving consumer goods race – action other industry players can aspire...
Retailer A.S. Watson has cautioned that consumer sentiment in China will take time to fully recover, despite an uptick in footfall following a turbulent few months due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Japanese beauty major Shiseido is planning to invest JPY10bn (USD75.5m) in both brand equity and its employees as part of plans to go on the offensive and buck the declining trend of the market.
The British beauty sector will parade its status as an economic powerhouse and potent transformer of lives at next month’s British Beauty Week, as the industry and world slowly moves past the COVID-19 pandemic once and for all.
French beauty exports will continue to surge in 2022, with China and the US set to remain important business markets for makeup and perfumes in particular, according to the French Federation for Beauty Companies (FEBEA).
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created huge waves of change in consumer thinking, with hygiene, finance and science now the sharp focus in beauty, potentially spelling the end of preservative fears and the free-from movement, says WGSN.
Consumer engagement in the fragrance category is growing worldwide, fuelled by interest in wellbeing and mood but also seduction as people start to socialise again, says the CEO of L’Oréal.
Colgate, Lifebuoy, Dove and Sunsilk are the most chosen beauty and personal care brands in the world, but L’Oréal Paris is the ‘biggest online adopter’, according to Kantar Worldpanel’s 2022 Brand Footprint.
Women globally now prioritise looking healthy over looking young and the majority say their confidence is improving with age, highlighting the need to shift beauty narratives around ageing, say Avon execs.
Simplification and sophistication are key strategies to drive cosmetics sales in the post-pandemic era, with consumers willing to spend more on natural, sustainable care and tech beauty.
With the online beauty boom after COVID-19, it has become harder for skin care brands to stand out and engage with shoppers who still enjoy and rely on traditional tactile engagement ahead of purchase, says Mintel.
French clean beauty brand Caudalie is gearing up to expand its presence in Asia with new entries into India and Vietnam on the back of what it belives is growing demand for effective and clean skin care.
Wearing a face mask causes physiological changes in sensitive skin, but applying a salmon complex moisturiser after removing it improved conditions, according to a new study.
L’Occitane International saw China emerge as its top driver for sales in FY2022, charting a net sales growth of EUR327.9m (U$347.3m), alongside other significant APAC markets Japan and Hong Kong.
Health and hygiene firm Essity has renewed its partnership with UNICEF to improve awareness and education surrounding hygiene and menstruation health management (MHM), highlighting challenges that exist in achieving wellbeing for all and spotlighting...
Major brands including Sephora, Lush Cosmetics, Health & Glow and SUGAR Cosmetics have exclusively shared their insights on how they are redefining the in-store consumer experience in the wake of the COVID-pandemic.
International personal care giant Colgate-Palmolive will continue its focus on premium oral care innovation despite post-pandemic economic strain worldwide, its investor relations chief says.
The global COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing climate crisis has bolstered demand for vegan topical and ingestible cosmetics as consumers look to improve consumption patterns beyond food, finds a review.
Singapore-based beauty brand Kew Organics is set to establish an in-house laboratory to bring down rising costs as it gears up to chase new opportunities in the international market.
The beauty industry has waded through a tough two years but come out stronger and more resilient as it edges deeper into a very different consumer landscape, says the executive editor of market insights firm Beautystreams.
Genderless and gender fluid have risen as beauty concepts over time, but gender freedom takes things further to capture and empower the hearts and minds of every consumer identify, say leading beauty execs.
From pop-ups to new launches, and digital immersion to sustainability, we reveal how major brands and duty-free retail giants are expecting an imminent travel retail beauty boom as travellers once again take to the skies.
As beauty edges deeper into a post-pandemic world, brands and retailers must understand the heightened awareness of interdependence, yearning for community and mainstream rejection of ‘normal’ set to shape consumer thinking in years to come, says a WGSN...
Products, categories and concepts that instil a sense of positivity and joy will hold a critical place in the future of beauty as consumers crave deeper, more meaningful engagement with the category, says Beautystreams.
![The British Beauty Council will be supporting industry members in 2023 amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis, political uncertainties and continued need to drive sustainable change [Getty Images]](jpg/british-beauty-council-2022-report-outlines-challenges-ahead-for-beauty-industry-and-2023-goals-4.jpg)
![Logistical challenges and energy struggles are plaguing indie brands like Shakeup Cosmetics. [Shakeup Cosmetics]](jpg/indie-beauty-brands-weighed-down-by-increasing-costs-and-logistical-issues-2.jpg)
![Warmer earth tones with pops of electrifying colour will be in come Autumn 2024 as consumers look to balance wellbeing and self-expression [Getty Images]](jpg/wgsn-beauty-colour-forecast-2024-2025-highlights-importance-of-bright-expressive-colours-2.jpg)
![Note Cosmetique is refreshing its attempt at expand in Asia Pacific. [Note Cosmetique]](jpg/note-cosmetique-eyes-china-india-and-indonesia-as-part-of-apac-expansion-2.jpg)
![The beauty industry can work closely with chemical trade associations to better understand and manage supply chains moving forward, especially amidst ongoing disruptions and today's climate crisis [Getty Images]](jpg/chemical-business-association-says-sustainable-supply-chains-are-key-for-beauty-industry-amidst-globalisation-and-climate-crisis-2.jpg)
![Industry is going to have to turn showering on its head with new ways of washing, smart product concepts and more [Getty Images]](jpg/beauty-environment-trends-to-see-cold-showers-rise-so-industry-needs-to-innovate-says-hint-futurology-founder-2.jpg)
![The Studio London range features 136 different products, including foundations, eyeshadows and lipglosses, designed with diversity in mind [Image: Superdrug]](jpg/superdrug-launches-studio-london-own-brand-budget-cosmetics-range-for-affordable-diverse-strategy-2.jpg)
![The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has released its annual Adaptation Gap Report and Emissions Gap Report highlighting a radical shift of gears is needed to tackle the climate crisis [Getty Images]](jpg/united-nations-environment-programme-unep-2022-adaptation-report-and-emissions-gap-report-released-2.jpg)
![COVID-related hair loss has been linked to the severity of stress, [Getty Images]](jpg/covid-and-hair-loss-new-multicentre-study-links-it-with-stress-2.jpg)
![Women aged 40+ say they have more confidence and better self-esteem than when they were younger, and beauty needs to find its place in this, according to Avon [Getty Images]](jpg/avon-power-of-ageing-campaign-highlights-female-empowerment-for-women-aged-41.jpg)
![L'Oréal's active cosmetics division performed especially well in skin care, with its SkinCeuticals and L'Oréal Paris brands especially strong [Getty Images]](jpg/l-oreal-q3-2022-sales-rise-with-active-cosmetics-skin-care-and-fragrances-strong-despite-inflation-2.jpg)
![Procter & Gamble says 2023 will continue to be a tough year, particularly in Europe where consumers will face significant inflationary pressures [Getty Images]](jpg/procter-gamble-q1-2023-net-profit-dips-net-sales-rise-amidst-difficult-cost-and-operating-environment-2.jpg)
![COVID-19-related hair loss is likely due to the overproduction of cytokine that is typically associated with the disease, study. [Getty Images]](jpg/covid-hairloss-japanese-dermatologists-link-hair-loss-to-covid-induced-cytokine-storm-2.jpg)
![Sephora announced the acquisition of Feelunique last year but is this week set to absorb the UK domain and website [Getty Images]](jpg/sephora-absorbs-feelunique-domain-sealing-uk-acquisition-and-kickstarting-re-entry-plans-2.jpg)
![Colour cosmetic consumers will expect more from immersive and virtual worlds, turning to tech to help purchase decisions [Getty Images]](jpg/future-of-makeup-2025-wgsn-report-spotlights-post-pandemic-creativity-beauty-tech-and-metaverse-2.jpg)
![And the brighter and more Instagram-worthy, the better, as UK beauty market competition heats up [Getty Images]](jpg/beauty-pop-ups-can-build-hype-and-community-in-competitive-uk-market-says-mintel-2.jpg)
![Gencor Pacific is eyeing huge opportunities in Asia Pacific’s anti-hair loss market. [Getty Images]](jpg/evidence-of-long-covid-hair-loss-could-spur-demand-for-effective-natural-solutions-2.jpg)
![A large number of UK adults who buy beauty and grooming products say in-store technology would help the overall shopping experience [Getty Images]](jpg/beauty-tech-in-store-holds-great-promise-for-consumer-experience-and-shopping-journey-says-mintel-2.jpg)
![The COVID-19 crisis has fuelled important shifts among Gen Z beauty consumers around gender, image and mental health [Getty Images]](jpg/beauty-trends-gen-z-post-covid-show-unconventional-gender-fluid-escapism-important-says-verve-2.jpg)
![Beiersdorf has plans to expand La Prairie’s offline presence in China with 10 more touchpoints. [Beiersdorf / La Prairie]](jpg/la-prairie-china-to-open-10-more-doors-by-end-of-2023.jpg)
![Leading beauty brands are expanding into new categories, new need sets and new consumer moments - all key to maintaining global success in the wider fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market [Getty Images]](jpg/kantar-worldpanel-brand-footprint-2022-beauty-brand-success-based-on-expansion-strategies-2.jpg)
![A.S. Watson has cautioned that consumer sentiment in China will take time to fully recover. [Watsons]](jpg/a.s.-watson-believes-recovery-of-consumer-sentiment-in-china-will-take-some-time-2.jpg)
![Shiseido is planning to invest JPY10bn in both brand equity and its employees. [Shiseido]](jpg/shiseido-to-invest-over-75m-in-brand-equity-and-employee-training-2.jpg)
![British Beauty Week will focus on galvanising business and creators and celebrating how far the category has come, particularly post-COVID [Getty Images]](jpg/british-beauty-week-september-5-11-2022-to-galvanise-business-says-british-beauty-council-ceo-2.jpg)
![French beauty exports to China continue to be especially important, with lipstick still the number-one exported product to this country [Getty Images]](jpg/french-beauty-exports-up-19-in-h1-2022-and-set-to-hit-20bn-for-full-year-with-china-and-us-important-2.jpg)
![Searches for 'paraben-free' peaked in July 2020 and in 2022 consumers are now increasingly focused on safety and hygiene [Getty Images]](jpg/wgsn-preservatives-report-says-safety-and-hygiene-now-consumer-focus-post-covid-2.jpg)
![Interest and engagement has risen in fragrances globally as consumers look to target wellbeing, mood and seduction [Getty Images]](jpg/l-oreal-ceo-says-fragrances-soaring-globally-with-new-consumer-appetite-for-category-2.jpg)
![Colgate remains the most-chosen beauty and personal care brand in the world, entering into the 'brands of the decade' because of its successful growth [Getty Images]](jpg/top-50-brands-2022-kantar-worldpanel-brand-footprint-spotlights-colgate-lifebuoy-dove-and-sunsilk-2.jpg)
![Almost three-quarters (72%) of women worldwide are now focused on looking healthy rather than young after the pandemic [Getty Images]](jpg/avon-power-in-ageing-report-finds-women-want-to-look-healthy-not-young-2.jpg)
![More consumers are purchasing tech beauty for use at home like electric cleansers, lifting-up devices and sebum aspirators. [Getty Images]](jpg/post-pandemic-beauty-trends-simplification-sophistication-driving-post-pandemic-beauty-wave-research-2.jpg)
![Many skin care consumers still value in-store sampling and testing, so brands need to work hard to balance out online and brick and mortar retail strategies [Getty Images]](jpg/skin-care-retail-needs-balance-between-online-and-offline-says-mintel-2.jpg)
![Caudalie is gearing up to expand its presence in Asia with new entries into India and Vietnam. [Caudalie]](jpg/caudalie-prioritising-apac-expansion-plans-in-india-and-vietnam-2.jpg)
![The APAC region, particularly China, Japan and Hong Kong, is driving the growth of L’Occitane International. [L'Occitane]](jpg/china-major-contributor-to-overall-growth-for-l-occitane-fy-results-2.jpg)
![In China, Colgate-Palmolive is following an even more 'ultra-premium' innovation plan across e-commerce channels [Getty Images]](jpg/colgate-palmolive-continues-premium-innovation-amidst-global-covid-19-recession-2.jpg)
![Beauty consumers are looking to improve consumption patterns amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and climate crisis which is driving demand for vegan offerings [Getty Images]](jpg/vegan-beauty-opportunity-rising-amidst-covid-19-and-climate-crisis-says-review-2.jpg)
![Kew Organics is set to establish an in-house laboratory to bring down rising costs. [Kew Organics]](jpg/kew-organics-to-establish-cosmetics-lab-as-it-eyes-overseas-expansion-2.jpg)
![Despite a very different post-pandemic landscape, there are key consumer and planetary needs driving trends in beauty [Getty Images]](jpg/beauty-trends-after-covid-19-feature-fun-sensory-personalised-and-eco-friendly-says-beautystreams-2.jpg)
![Genderless beauty is shifting gears into gender freedom, a broader movement pivoting around authenticity and new fluid identities [Getty Images]](jpg/genderless-beauty-shift-into-gender-freedom-sparks-joy-and-authenticity-says-coty-l-oreal-estee-lauder-2.jpg)
![Care-taking; fluid states; provoking protopias; people-power shifts; democra-sized; and code-breaking are WGSN's six 'big ideas' set to shape beauty in 2024 [Getty Images]](jpg/wgsn-2024-big-ideas-set-to-shape-beauty-with-self-care-inclusivity-and-phygital-key-trends-2.jpg)
![Beauty has an opportunity to shake-up the market and instil joy across categories, according to Beautystreams [Getty Images]](jpg/beautystreams-future-view-2022-2027-beauty-trends-centre-around-joy-ethics-gender-freedom-and-metaverse-2.jpg)
![Consumers across the UK and Europe use beauty and personal care products as a means to boost self-esteem and confidence and this needs to be communicated more [Getty Images]](jpg/cosmetic-toiletry-and-perfumery-association-ctpa-talks-2023-sustainability-and-essentiality-importance-4.jpg)
![L'Oréal has unveiled two prototype smart makeup application devices - one for lipstick and another for brows - both designed to make the category more inclusive and accessible [Getty Images]](jpg/l-oreal-and-johnson-johnson-launch-smart-inclusive-beauty-devices-at-ces-tech-tradeshow-2026.jpg)
![The beta-glucans and polyphenols in mushrooms are particularly interesting for the cosmeceutical and nutraceutical spaces [Getty Images]](jpg/mushrooms-offer-cosmeceutical-nutraceutical-promise-around-skin-health-immunity-and-wellness-finds-review-2.jpg)
![Beauty for 'taboo' topics like acne, menopause and sexual wellness will be one important trend to watch in 2023 [Getty Images]](jpg/nielseniq-beauty-trends-2023-highlight-retail-shift-taboo-beauty-and-at-home-salon-treatments-as-key-2.jpg)
![A team at the University of Tours researched natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) and the potential to use these in cosmetic creams and gels [Getty Images]](jpg/university-of-tours-france-research-on-nades-extracts-from-microalgae-for-multifunctional-cosmetics-promise-2.jpg)
![As the sustainable beauty space booms, building and maintaining trust with consumers will be key for brands [Getty Images]](jpg/sustainable-beauty-executives-say-brands-must-rethink-marketing-to-include-certification-value-for-money-and-education-efforts-2.jpg)
![The British Beauty Council will be supporting industry members in 2023 amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis, political uncertainties and continued need to drive sustainable change [Getty Images]](jpg/british-beauty-council-2022-report-outlines-challenges-ahead-for-beauty-industry-and-2023-goals-2.jpg)
![Leading beauty and personal care brands on three emerging markets it is keeping an eye on. [Getty Images]](jpg/all-eyes-on-three-emerging-markets-to-watch-for-beauty-and-personal-care-growth-in-2024.jpg)
![The adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at last month's COP15 should provide a stronger means for implementation of finance and strategies to protect biodiversity [Getty Images]](jpg/un-biodiversity-conference-cop15-in-montreal-results-in-historic-deal-to-protect-people-and-planet-2.jpg)
![Campomanesia leaves are just one plant extract identified as offering UV protective properties because of an array of active constituents in this part of the plant [Getty Images]](jpg/botanicals-likely-to-be-the-future-of-sunscreens-review-2.jpg)
