Groupe Rocher announced that from July 1st, 2023, Bris Rocher will shift his focus to the group's strategy as the Chairman of the Board, while Jean-David Schwartz will take over as the CEO of the group. Groupe Rocher announced that Bris Rocher, who has been serving as the Chairman and CEO of Groupe Rocher since 2009, has decided to delegate his executive duties to a new CEO in line with the best governance practices in international companies. Groupe Rocher is a French family-owned group of Breton origin that includes brands such as Yves Rocher, Arbonne, Petit Bateau, Stanhome, Kiotis, Docteur Pierre Ricaud, ID Parfums, SABON, Flormar, operating in the cosmetics, clothing, and home decoration sectors. The group employs over 15,000 people, has more than 50 million customers, and generates over 2.3 billion euros in revenue. Present in nearly 114 countries. Effective from July 1st, 2023, Bris Rocher will concentrate on the group's strategy as the Chairman of the Board, while Jean-David Schwartz will assume the position of the group's CEO. Groupe Rocher stated that over the past decade, the company has undergone significant international expansion and is currently facing major challenges. Considering this, Bris Rocher has introduced this new governance structure to help the group adapt to market changes and optimize its future growth. By delegating his executive duties, the group will be able to respond with greater agility and pragmatism to navigate complex business environments. In this context, Bris Rocher's primary responsibility will be to establish and guide the group's long-term strategic vision, as well as to reinforce its unique position as a Mission-Driven Company. Meanwhile, the Executive Management team will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the business and executing short and medium-term strategies. Jean-David Schwartz said: “I would like, first and foremost, to thank Bris Rocher for the confidence he is placing in me by giving me this responsibility. I will be mobilized every day, along with the Executive Committee I have the honor of chairing, and alongside all of the Group’s collaborators to keep implementing our transformation plan, Green Conquest 2030. This plan is already starting to yield results, and this new team will allow us to increase them.” Source: Groupe Rocher

Shanghai Dearer Medical Devices Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Dearer Medical") signed a listing counseling agreement with Oriental Securities Investment Bank on June 12, 2023. This means that Dearer Medical has officially launched the A-share IPO process and may become the first colored contact lenses company to go public. Shanghai Dearer Medical Devices Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Dearer Medical") signed a listing counseling agreement with Oriental Investment Bank on June 12, 2023. This means that Dearer Medical has officially launched the A-share IPO process and may become the first colored contact lenses company to go public. Dearer Medical was established on July 3, 2017, and is mainly engaged in the research, development, production, and sales of Class III medical device products (colored contact lenses). It has R&D, production, and sales centers in Shanghai, Jilin, Suzhou, Xi'an, and South Korea. Dearer Medical holds invention patents such as internal coating technology and currently has a comprehensive advantage in the design and production of colored contact lens lenses in the industry. Dearer Medical has always been committed to and continuously increased its innovation and investment in R&D, including the development of new materials, and mold development, and has achieved multiple research results. Dearer Medical currently has 9 Class III medical device registration certificates, covering a full product line of daily, monthly, semi-annual, and annual disposable contact lenses. Among them, 8 are colored contact lens medical device registration certificates, and 1 is a regular contact lens medical device registration certificate. In addition, Dearer Medical has an industry-exclusive 7-color and pearl color film registration certificate, which can maximize the company's design advantages. Dearer Medical can launch more than 1,000 new designs every month, with a product design conversion rate of up to 30%, leading the industry domestically. The core positioning of Dearer Medical is a colored contact lens ODM manufacturer. Up to now, Dearer Medical has 10 product registration certificates, including 4 daily disposable colored contact lens registration certificates, 5 long-term disposable colored contact lens registration certificates, and 1 long-term disposable light blue film registration certificate, making it the manufacturer with the most daily disposable colored contact lens registration certificates in China. At the same time, Dearer Medical has both full mold pressing and semi-mold semi-cutting processes, which can meet the process requirements of daily disposable and long-term disposable lenses; supplemented by internal coating technology, it ensures that the pigment layer does not encounter the eyeball, enhancing safety. Moreover, Dearer Medical has more complex optical design and processing capabilities, allowing for more precise processing of astigmatism lenses and higher production process flexibility. In terms of production capacity, Dearer Medical has built a total of 4 production bases and plans to build 2 more production plants in Shanghai, with the first phase expected to be put into operation this year and the second phase next year. After being put into operation, the annual production capacity of the two plants can reach 10 billion pieces. Up to now, Dearer Medical has reached cooperation with leading colored contact lens brands such as Kilala, Shanghai Jialiang, 4inLOOK, Sweet Color, etc. According to Dearer Medical, it can launch more than 1,000 new designs every month. To better understand the operational logic of colored contact lens brands, Dearer Medical has launched its own brand REALKOKO. As of now, the official REALKOKO store can be found on the JD platform, with few SKUs and sales volume. The price range for REALKOKO products is between 149-164 yuan, which is relatively high for colored contact lenses. According to data from Sinolink Securities, the market size of the colored contact lens industry increased from 4.2 billion yuan ($587.25 million) to 28.2 billion yuan ($3.94 billion) from 2016 to 2021, with an annual compound growth rate of 46%. It is expected that by 2025, the overall market size of colored contact lenses will reach 47 billion yuan ($6.57 billion).

Layn, the Chinese natural health products manufacturer, announced that it has signed a new agreement for a five-year collaboration with Dsm-Firmenich with a cumulative target revenue of up to $840 million. On June 19th, Guilin Layn Natural Ingredients Corp. (Layn) announced that it has signed a significant contract with Dsm-Firmenich to extend its daily operations. According to the announcement, on June 16th, 2023, the two companies signed a new agreement for a five-year collaboration. The cumulative target revenue (CTR) under the agreement is USD 840 million, with a minimum cumulative target revenue (MCTR) of USD 680 million. The agreement is valid for five years. Public information shows that Layn primarily engages in the production and operation of natural health products, focusing on the extraction of functional plant ingredients. The company has successfully developed over 300 standardized plant extract products, including Luo Han Guo extract, stevia extract, industrial hemp extract, tea extract, and other health and skincare extracts, such as Rhodiola extract and Centella Asiatica extract. Its upstream industry mainly involves agriculture, while its downstream products are used in industries such as food, beverage, medicine, health products, cosmetics, and animal feed. After signing the agreement, the two parties will deepen their cooperation in three main areas. Firstly, the new contract revises and expands the definition of relevant products. The "products" specified in the agreement not only refer to sweeteners but also to formula products and flavor components composed of relevant sweeteners. Additionally, the agreement also includes two categories of "new products" and "other products." Secondly, the cooperation areas will be expanded to include the development of future markets such as flavors and fragrances, animal nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and beauty. Finally, a joint technical team will be established to provide targeted solutions and services for Chinese customers and markets. The team will report to the cooperation executive committee (a committee composed of three members nominated by each party as agreed in the main contract) every quarter. Dsm-Firmenich will appoint a representative from China or another region to join the team. Notably, Layn achieved operating revenue of RMB 1.401 billion in 2022 ($195.76 million), a year-on-year increase of 32.99%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 179 million yuan ($25.01 million), a year-on-year increase of 50.92%. The revenue from the company's plant extract business was approximately RMB 1.269 billion ($177.31 million), a year-on-year increase of 28.53%. On 09 May, Dsm-Firmenich announced the merger between DSM and Firmenich was completed. The newly founded DSM-Firmenich is divided into four high-performing businesses, namely Perfumery & Beauty, Taste, Texture & Health, Health, Nutrition & Care, and Animal Nutrition & Health, all built on complementary scientific research and manufacturing capabilities. In the fiscal year 2022, DSM and Firmenich generated sales revenue of $9.22 billion and $5.31 billion respectively, resulting in a combined annual sale of $14.53 billion. This merger positions the new company to become the world's leading enterprise in the fragrance and flavor industry, and the largest merger in the cosmetic ingredients sector this year.

Recently, the China Oral Care Industry Association released the Oral Care Industry Brief for January-May 2023, stating that online retail sales of the oral care industry on major e-commerce platforms reached 8.39 billion yuan ($ 1.17 billion) in the first five months. Recently, the China Oral Care Industry Association released the Oral Care Industry Brief for January-May 2023, announcing the online retail trends of the oral care industry from January to May 2023. The report shows that in the first five months of 2023, the online retail sales of the oral care industry on major e-commerce platforms reached 8.39 billion yuan ($ 1.17 billion), a year-on-year increase of 2.9%. Among them, Douyin has become a relatively fast-growing channel in the oral care industry, with a growth rate of over 90%, followed by Kuaishou with a growth rate of over 80%. From January to May, in terms of the subcategories of the oral care industry, the proportion of toothpaste/toothpowder categories continued to increase, with a market share of 44.2%, although the year-on-year growth rate has slightly narrowed to 10.2%. However, it remains the main driving force of the oral care industry. The market share of electric toothbrushes is 22.1%, ranking second, with a year-on-year growth of 0.6%; the market share of toothbrushes is 11.2%, with a year-on-year growth of 18.3%, becoming the fastest-growing category in the oral care industry, ranking third. Oral irrigators, mouthwashes, electric toothbrush heads, dental floss, and other sectors have continued their downward trend. In terms of the brand rankings in the toothpaste industry, the top five brands are Yunnan Baiyao, Darlie (formerly Darkie), Crest, Colgate, and Saky, with online retail sales accounting for 10.7%, 8.2%, 6.4%, 6.1%, and 4.8%, respectively. The brands ranked sixth to tenth are ORALSHARK, Sensodyne, Lesening, Lion, and AVEC MOI. Yunnan Baiyao maintains its leading advantage; in addition, as Douyin becomes the largest channel for online retail sales of toothpaste, Canban's new brand ORALSHARK and Longrich's brand Avec Moi have successfully captured the market and entered the top ten brands by leveraging their advantages in niche segments. In terms of the brand rankings in the electric toothbrush industry, the top five brands are usmile, Philips, Oral-B, Flyco, and Xiaomi, with online retail sales accounting for 24.4%, 20.8%, 8.8%, 4.8%, and 4.7%, respectively. The brands ranked sixth to tenth are Saky, Bair, Fupai, IMask, and Huawei. usmile has surpassed Philips to become the highest online retail sales brand in the electric toothbrush industry. In addition, the domestic small appliance giant Flyco has also performed outstandingly in the electric toothbrush market, with a year-on-year growth of 102.5% from January to May, ranking among the top five in the industry. The foreign leading brands Philips, Oral-B, Bair, and Panasonic all showed a downward trend, with their market shares being taken by domestic brands. In terms of the brand rankings in the toothbrush industry, the top five brands are EBISU, Lion, Colgate, Darlie (formerly Darkie), and Saky, with online retail sales accounting for 7.1%, 6.7%, 6.1%, 5.6%, and 5.3%, respectively. In terms of the brand rankings in the mouthwash industry, the top five brands are Listerine, BOP, Colgate, Canban, and Ora2, with online retail sales accounting for 18.5%, 7.2%, 5.9%, 5.7%, and 3.5%, respectively. The brands ranked sixth to tenth are THERABREATH, Saky, Darlie (formerly Darkie), Ecoobix, and Oral-B. Listerine still has a high market share in the mouthwash industry, but it is challenged by new brands, with its sales from January to May declining by 31.2% year-on-year.

Watsons, which is the main health and beauty brand of A.S. Watson Group, has opened over 1,400 new stores across Asia during the pandemic. Despite the pandemic over the past three years, Watsons, which is the main health and beauty brand of A.S. Watson Group, has continued to expand its business. As compared to 2019, before Covid-19, Watsons has opened more than 1,400 new stores across Asia. The beauty retailer recently announced the grand opening of its 700th store in Malaysia. The new Watsons store located in the prime area of Klang is the largest in the district, covering over 4,000 square feet. With a population of over 1 million in the royal town, the new store is expected to better cater to the needs of the local community. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Watsons Malaysia has expanded its business from 535 outlets in 2019 to 700 stores at present. Dominic Lai, Group Managing Director of A.S. Watson Group, said: “As one of our fastest-growing markets in Asia, we are thrilled to announce the launch of Watsons’ 700th store in Malaysia. Watsons will continue to develop and adapt to being the leading retailer in health and beauty products to fulfil customers’ shifting needs and achieve excellence in offering an unmatched O+O customer experience. We will continue this growth path with our customers and build an improved tomorrow for all of us together with an unwavering sense of purpose and a commitment to ensuring that our customers Look Good, Do Good, and Feel Great.” While in mainland China, according to the financial report, Watsons' worldwide revenue in 2022 amounted to HK$169.6 billion ($21.61 billion), with China's market revenue at HK$17.58 billion ($2.23 billion), recording its worst performance in nearly five years. And its EBITDA (earnings before tax, interest, depreciation, and amortization) decreased by 59% to HK$1.09 billion ($138.9 million). The number of stores also decreased by 8%, or 343 shops, from 4,179 in 2021 to 3,836. Additionally, the store sales declined by 18.3% year on year. Source: Watsons

The Indian vegan beauty brand Plum has entered the baby care market with the launching of a new product line called Baby Plum. Plum, an Indian vegan beauty brand, is expanding its presence in the direct-to-consumer (D2C) beauty and personal care industry through continuous product innovation. The company is now entering the baby care market with the introduction of a new product line called 'Baby Plum'. The range is designed specifically for the delicate skin of babies and undergoes clinical testing by pediatricians to ensure it offers pH-balanced and tear-free formulas across a variety of products, including baby lotion, body wash, baby shampoo, and massage oil. The new range of baby care products is available for purchase through both online and offline channels. Customers can buy them from Plum's website, plumgoodness.com, as well as from popular marketplaces such as FirstCry and Amazon. The products are also available in over 20 exclusive Plum outlets across the country, as well as select multi-brand retail stores. This strategic move by Plum demonstrates its goal of becoming a household staple by offering products for different age groups. Plum is a vegan beauty brand that was established in 2013 and offers a range of cruelty-free and non-toxic products, with over 500 SKUs in its portfolio. The brand is present in 15 countries and is available in over 350 towns and cities across India, through more than 1,500 assisted outlets and over 15,000 unassisted outlets. Shankar Prasad, chief executive officer, and founder, of Plum said, “The launch of Baby Plum is a defining moment in the evolution of the brand. Plum’s exciting journey in the beauty and personal care domain has been shaped by the evolving needs of consumers who seek high-quality, effective, and vegan products they can trust. Our curated line of baby products is thoughtfully developed and tested under pediatric and dermatological control for baby’s sensitive skin.”

Mecca, a beauty retailer from Australia, is planning to expand its business globally and has taken its first step by launching its Mecca Cosmetica sunscreen in the UK. Mecca, the biggest high-end beauty retailer in Australia, is expanding into the European and Western markets for the first time. The retailer is starting with the launch of its most popular product, a multipurpose SPF cream from its own brand, Mecca Cosmetica in the UK. Although it is a small move, it sets the foundation for the company, which stated that the company currently holds 25% of the beauty retail market in Australasia, to enter the global market. The Mecca Cosmetica sunscreen, which is manufactured in Australia, will be available for purchase directly from Mecca's new UK website and will be priced at 35 pounds. This marks the first time that Mecca, which is based in Melbourne and serves the Australasian markets, has expanded into Europe. The company was established in 1997 by Jo Horgan, who opened the first store in the South Yarra suburb. Mecca now has 109 stores across Australasia and is entirely owned and financed by Horgan and her husband. While the company does not disclose its sales figures, local estimates suggest that it generated around AUD 572 million (approximately $393 million) in sales in 2020. While in 2021, According to recent filings with the regulator, Mecca's revenue was $688.9 million. Mecca has been testing the Chinese market since 2020 through its small e-commerce presence on the Tmall online marketplace. However, the UK launch represents the company's first expansion outside of the Asia Pacific region. Mecca chose the UK for several reasons, including high consumer awareness of SPF and the country's significant beauty market size and demand for luxury products, according to Mecca. According to market research firm the NPD Group, the UK's high-end beauty market was valued at £1.2 billion between January and August 2022, representing a 21% increase from the same period in 2021. Mecca operates over 100 stores throughout Australia and New Zealand, as well as having a retail presence on China's TMall and a flagship store in Sydney's CBD that opened in 2020. Additionally, the company is currently developing a two-story outlet in Melbourne's CBD that is expected to become the largest beauty store in the Southern Hemisphere upon its opening.

SA SA INT'L, the China HK-based cosmetics retailer, released the annual results for the year ended 31 March 2023. The company’s annual turnover increased by 2.6% to HK$3,500.5 million ($447.52 million). The company turned around the business and recorded a profit for the year amounting to HK$58.2 million ($7.44 million). SA SA INT'L, the China HK-based cosmetics retailer, has released its yearly financial results for the year ending on March 31st, 2023. The company reported a 2.6% increase in annual turnover, reaching HK$3,500.5 million ($447.52 million) in FY23. As of March 31st, 2023, SA SA INT'L reported a 7.3% increase in offline retail sales and wholesale revenue in Hong Kong and Macau SARs, reaching HK$2,373.3 million ($303.32 million). However, offline sales in Mainland China dropped by 22.9% to HK$225.2 million ($28.78 million). On the other hand, offline sales in Southeast Asia surged by 64.9% (in original currency) to HK$300.0 million ($38.34 million). The company operated a total of 186 retail stores across all regions during the same period. The company’s online business turnover decreased by 13.5% to HK$602.0 million ($76.94 million), mainly due to Covid-19 disruptions in Mainland China, where online sales declined by 33.4%. This was the only region that recorded a decrease in online sales. However, online sales contributed 17.2% to the Company's total turnover, a significant increase compared to the pre-pandemic period in the financial year that ended on March 31st, 2019. The total online business incurred a loss of HK$21.2 million ($2.71 million) in the Financial Year, compared to a profit of HK$6.9 million ($0.88 million) in the previous year. During the reporting period, SA SA INT'L successfully turned its business around and achieved a profit of HK$58.2 million ($7.44 million) for the year, which is a significant improvement compared to the loss of HK$133.2 million ($17.02 million) incurred in the first half of the current year and the loss of HK$343.7 million ($43.93 million) recorded in the previous year. Total online and offline sales in Hong Kong and Macau SARs amounted to HK$2,603.8 million ($332.78 million), accounting for 74.4% of the total Company sales for the Financial Year, which increased by 8.7% compared to the previous year. Within this, sales in Hong Kong SAR grew by 18.4%, while sales in Macau SAR decreased by 13.2%. While Offline Sales in Hong Kong and Macau SARs increased by 7.3% to HK$2,373.3 million ($303.32 million) for the Financial Year, while same-store sales increased by 13.5%. After the relaxation of pandemic-related measures and the reopening of the boundary with Mainland China, offline sales in Hong Kong and Macau SARs in the fourth quarter that ended on March 31st, 2023, increased by 60.1% year-on-year and 41.1% compared to the previous quarter. The sales mix of Mainland Chinese tourists in Hong Kong and Macau SARs also recovered to 41.1% in the fourth quarter, which is an improvement from the pandemic period, but still lower than the pre-pandemic period when it was around 70%. SA SA INT'L stated that Mainland China remains a key focus of the company's long-term strategy. With the easing of market uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 social distancing policy, the Company is now able to conduct business under normal, predictable operating conditions. The mainland China economy is recovering from the impact of Covid-19, and consumer sentiment is gradually improving. The Company is closely monitoring market conditions to align its strategy accordingly.

Japanese beauty brands have clarified that the brands have carried out strict checks on the safety of raw materials and have undergone customs inspection and quarantine to prove the safety of their products. Recently, P&G responded to the issue of whether there was nuclear contamination in SK-II. P&G said that it confirmed that SK-II products manufactured in Japan or shipped abroad are safe to use. Meanwhile, all SK-II products launched in China have undergone rigorous product safety testing at relevant laboratories under the designation of the Chinese government to ensure that the products comply with the relevant Chinese regulations and are filed/registered according to Chinese regulations. Looking back on the cause, on June 13, a number of media reported that an area on the shore where the Kamo River and Lake Biwa cross in Japan had been stockpiled with large amounts of wood chips containing the radioactive substance cesium, which were part of the trees that were exposed to radiation during the Fukushima nuclear pollutant case. It is worth noting that Lake Biwa is the sole source of SK-II's star product, SK-II Facial Treatment Essence. According to SK-II's official public website, the factory and production line of SK-II Facial Treatment Essence are located on the shores of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. The only source of water for the brand's products with no other production channels worldwide. A crisis of trust in Japanese cosmetics This case caused anxiety among Chinese consumers. On the Chinese sharing platform Xiaohongshu, many consumers have had a crisis of trust in SK-II. Although the brand has clarified that the above news is not true, there are still consumers who are concerned about the safety of the SK-II products they buy. And some consumers have said that they are "boycotting cosmetics made in Japan." CHAILEEDO found that well-known Japanese cosmetic brands such as Shiseido, IPSA, ANESSA and Freeplus are receiving attention from consumers on Chinese social media in addition to SK-II. Now it is just the time for the Chinese mid-year shopping festival “618”. Many consumers have chosen to return products purchased during this promotion and have indicated that they will refuse to buy related Japanese cosmetics in the future. CHAILEEDO noted that currently, Chinese consumers have two worries about Japanese cosmetics products: firstly, whether the factory is in the area of nuclear radiation contaminated. Secondly, whether the water and raw materials used in production are contaminated. It is understood that the contaminated water from Japan contains more than 60 kinds of radionuclides, many of which do not yet have effective treatment technology. Some of the long-lived nuclides may spread with ocean currents and form a bioconcentration effect. The discharge of nuclear-contaminated water has transboundary effects. From the information available, it is expected to last for up to 30 years. Studies have shown that radioactive material can spread to most of the Pacific Ocean within 57 days from the date of discharge, and to global waters after 10 years. Publicly available information shows that China has been an important exporter of Japanese cosmetics. According to a report released by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines & Health Products, the sources of China's cosmetic imports are mainly concentrated in Europe, the United States and Japan and South Korea. According to data from the General Administration of Customs in China, the top five countries or regions in terms of import value in 2022 were France, Japan, South Korea, the United States and the United Kingdom, accounting for 83% of China's total cosmetics imports. It is reported that Japan's total cosmetics imports in 2022 saw a rare year-on-year decline of 9.12%, with its position being taken by France, but still ranked second. This shows the importance of Japanese cosmetics to Chinese consumers. As to whether nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan will have an impact on human health, Chen Yanjun, Director of Dermatology at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, recently said in a media interview that "if the materials that were contaminated water, or from marine organisms contain radioactive substances added to cosmetics or skincare products, it may trigger nucleic acid or cell mutations in our bodies. " On the question of whether nuclear radiation affects product safety, CHAILEEDO consulted with several customer services of relevant Japanese beauty brands on the Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao as a consumer. Several brand customer service replies said, "The brand has gauged the safety of raw materials and has undergone customs inspection and quarantine to prove the safety of the products." (Credit: customer service response of Freeplus, ANESSA and IPSA) Following SK-II's response, Japanese beauty giant Shiseido also responded to the incident in question. On June 15, the person in charge of Shiseido publicly stated that Shiseido is always committed to providing consumers with safe, high-quality products and that every aspect of the production process is strictly monitored. "The products we sell in China all comply with the relevant national standards, and consumers can buy and use them with confidence." Adding insult to injury It is worth mentioning that SK-II's performance in China has shown a downward trend in recent years. As early as 2021, P&G mentioned a decline in SK-II's performance. According to P&G's latest financial data release, net sales in the beauty segment rose 3% to $3.494 billion in the three months ended March 31, with the weak performance of the SK-II market being the main reason for the slowdown in growth across the division. In addition, Japan's four largest beauty groups, Shiseido, Kao, Kose and POLA, have all said that they see China as one of their most important markets. However, as can be seen through their recently disclosed financial reports, Japanese cosmetics are not performing well in China today. China, which is Shiseido's number one market, has also shown a downward trend in its recent financial results. According to Shiseido's results for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2023, China's market performance lagged behind the Japanese market in this quarter, with sales of 53.244 billion yen ($376.9 million), down 3% year-on-year. POLA Group's beauty care division revenue, on the other hand, has been shrinking gradually since 2018. In 2022, the group's beauty care division revenue was 174.15 billion yen ($1.2 billion), down 7.2% year-on-year. Kao Group and Kose Group did not record growth in the Chinese market, although they increased their net profit. Kao Group said that in the China market, sales fell sharply due to factors such as shipments and the launch of new products from Freeplus. Kose's sales in Asia also fell by 10.1%, which Kao said in its financial reports was mainly due to the current weakness in Chinese consumer spending. (Credit: Kose's iconic brand Sekkisei) CHAILEEDO noted that on the list of Top 20 beauty stores on the Chinese e-commerce platform Tmall during the first day of the 618 Shopping Festival this year, only four Japanese makeup brands - Shiseido, CPB, SK-II and Decorte - are on the list and ranked low overall. There were 11 European and American brands on the list and three Chinese beauty brands. With the nuclear radiation contamination problem gaining anxiety among Chinese consumers and returning products during 618 promotion, it is not easy for Japanese cosmetics which want to resume success after a weak growth.

Reports by CTVnews and animal rights organizations indicate that the Canadian government has committed to putting an end to animal testing for chemical toxicity. CTVnews and animal rights organizations have reported that the Canadian government has pledged to terminate animal testing for chemical toxicity. The "Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act," also known as Bill S-5, which includes the ban on animal testing for chemical toxicity, received royal assent on June 13, 2023, making it official. This follows a recent decision in the UK to prohibit the issuance of licenses for animal testing of chemicals used as cosmetic ingredients. Plant-based News has projected that the next step for Canada would be to ban animal testing for cosmetics, as legislators are expected to move forward with the federal budget bill during the week of June 19. As previously reported, this bill includes proposed amendments to the Food and Drugs Act to prohibit animal testing for cosmetics. Bill S-5 is an amendment to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, of 1999 (CEPA). CEPA is a law that sets out the framework for protecting the environment and human health in Canada. It provides the Canadian government with the authority to regulate and manage toxic substances, hazardous waste, air and water pollution, and other environmental risks. Policymakers use CEPA to shape federal environmental and health protection programs and to develop regulations related to the risks of various chemicals. Bill S-5 seeks to amend CEPA to ban animal testing for chemical toxicity, aligning with the Canadian government's commitment to end animal testing. The new law in Canada will require the government to promote and implement alternatives to animal testing for toxicity. These alternatives include computer modeling, organ-on-a-chip technology, and cell and tissue tests using human tissues. The bill also mandates the Ministers of Environment and Health to create a plan within the next two years promoting these alternatives and provide yearly updates on their progress.

DevaCurl, the Henkel-owned hair care brand, announced the launch of its latest dry shampoo Dry No-Poo. DevaCurl, the Henkel-owned hair care brand, announced the launch of its latest dry shampoo Dry No-Poo. The newly launched products can be purchased on their website now for $34, and will also be available on Amazon, ULTA Beauty, and ULTA.com. DevaCurl claims that its latest dry shampoo, Dry No-Poo, is significant in curly hair care as it offers more than just oil absorption. The non-drying dual-use formula refreshes roots, enhances curl shape, adds texture, and boosts volume. Dry No-Poo is different from traditional dry shampoos that can leave curls feeling dry and stripped. The product not only absorbs excess oil, impurities, and sweat but also hydrates and nourishes curls, maintaining their health and flexibility. Dry No-Poo is free from benzene and talc powder. DevaCurl said Dry No-Poo's nozzle is unique in that it has two spraying options, which is a first for dry shampoos. The first option is designed to refresh roots, absorb oil, and add volume, while the second option revives the mid-lengths to ends of curls, enhancing their shape, texture, and body. Siddeeqah Ra'oof, Director of Brand Education at DevaCurl said: “With Dry No-Poo, we've filled a white space that the curly community has been looking for since dry shampoos came onto the market. We developed the dual sprayer nozzle to cater to the specific needs of curly hair, ensuring that it remains refreshed and free from oil, while also offering the benefits of enhanced curl definition, increased volume, and reduced frizz.”

Bumble and Bumble, the Estée Lauder-owned hair care brand, has launched a new vegan collection called Bb. Seaweed, featuring ingredients such as Pacific Sea kelp, royal sugar kelp, and green microalgae. Bumble and Bumble, the hair care brand, which is owned by Estée Lauder, has launched a new vegan collection called Bb. Seaweed, featuring ingredients such as Pacific Sea kelp, royal sugar kelp, and green microalgae. The Bb. Seaweed collection is made using 93% or more naturally derived ingredients and comes in 100% recycled packaging. The product claims to promote a healthy and balanced scalp. The newly launched hair care collection includes four products. Seaweed Whipped Scalp Scrub, which is gentle on the scalp yet powered to purify, this whipped, airy scrub clears the way for a healthy-looking, balanced, hair and scalp. Seaweed Shampoo is Gentle, lightweight cleanser that refreshes hair and helps balance scalp moisture. Seaweed Conditioner Lightweight conditioner hydrates hair and helps balance scalp moisture. Seaweed Air Dry Cream, which can instantly give hair 2x frizz reduction that lasts all day vs untreated hair, and all-day hold + hydration. senior VP and global manager Corey Reese said: “Seaweed was our first-ever duo of Shampoo and Conditioner. The newly expanded Bb. Seaweed Collection has been mindfully crafted with naturally delivered formulas, plus new care and styling innovations that our pros have curated and tested to deliver effortless, luminous styles for all hair types.” Customers can purchase the Bb. Seaweed Collection at Ulta and Sephora stores, as well as online at bumbleandbumble.com and through Bumble and Bumble salons.