Iridescent promotional banner from Kao Chemicals Europe featuring “Pearled Perfection,” advertising Danox Pearl GS with soft pastel swirls and a “Learn more” button
Two shipping containers with one having a US flag on it and the other a Canadian flag.

US–Canada tariff war escalates with reciprocal 50% cosmetics duties

Canada has hit back at the US’s imposition of 50% tariffs by implementing its own “dollar-for-dollar” duties. Both countries have now included cosmetics in the trade war. The Canadian countermove responds to US tariffs that took effect Saturday, August 22. The US levies were set to take place on August 19, but were delayed for negotiations that have since collapsed. 
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Holistic beauty turns to whole-body care and clinical substantiation
The lines between skin care, nutrition, wellness, and preventive health are blurring in the personal care industry. Awareness of the connection between the skin, gut, sleep, stress, and lifestyle is growing, and consumers are looking for solutions that go beyond addressing visible concerns. Attention on holistic beauty is growing, encouraging people to pay more attention to how they feel, age, and live in the long term. 
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Beauty dupe debate: Compliance decides which brands survive, not price
Cosmetic dupes and their positioning in the personal care industry remain a topic of debate. The nuances of regulatory compliance, efficacy claims, and accusations of low-price-point products riding premium coattails persist.Recently, the debate around dupes found new kindling after Charlotte Tilbury told the BBC that “when you dupe, you dupe the consumer.”
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Mushroom-derived ingredients
Innova Market Insights data shows growth in the use of mushroom ingredients in personal care launches, with a 14% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. Skin and hair care products featured the highest use of mushroom ingredients, while body care experienced the fastest growth in innovation. These ingredients are most commonly found in hydrating products, where they provide softening and smoothing benefits.
Foaming antibacterial hand wash with aloe beside a blank pump bottle on a counter, with CAMA PHHC logo.
Automating sleeved bottle packaging without compromising pack design
This article highlights the automation of sleeved bottle packaging, transforming a manual process into a high-speed solution while preserving brand identity and ensuring compatibility with both automated and manual operations.

This Technical Paper is brought to you by Cama Group.
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Consumer Reports: States urged to regulate braiding hair amid federal silence

Consumer Reports found heavy metals in nearly all braiding hair it tested, and volatile organic compounds in every sample. James Rogers, director and head of product safety testing at Consumer Reports, tells Personal Care Insights that no US federal agency clearly regulates the category, leaving labeling claims unchecked. He urges manufacturers to test ingredients and final products. Rogers also expects state rules and consumer spending to eventually drive change.

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Lookfantastic predicts next beauty season led by longevity and efficacy
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Lookfantastic has released its Autumn/Winter (AW) 2026 Trend Report, highlighting the rise of simplified beauty routines shaped by long-term efficacy, multifunctionality, and wellness. The report spotlights enhanced skin barrier support, simplified skin care, and beauty longevity as trends set to shape the beauty category in the upcoming season. Moreover, the rise of scalp-focused hair care and the growing convergence of beauty and health point to consumers becoming more educated and prioritizing results.
Target launches Beauty Studio with K-beauty and premium skin care focus
woman with colorful makeup on
Target is launching Target Beauty Studio, an in-store and online specialty beauty space featuring over 1,600 products from 90 brands, with most brands debuting on the store’s shelves as part of the kick-off. The US retailer is leveraging its merchandising authority to offer an elevated shopping experience, presenting beauty trends, innovations, and enhanced discovery.Target is said to be investing in differentiation through curated offerings and elevated experience as part of its plans to return to growth.
Quadpack launches cold-touch tottle for precise skin care dosing
model holds up red cosmetic bottle
Quadpack has launched the Mahina Tottle for low-viscosity, precise dosing skin care applications. The tottle — a combination of a tube and bottle — is equipped with a cold-touch, roll-on metal applicator that offers a sensory user experience. Quadpack says the applicator is also mess-free due to an on/off locking system. 
Plant-based squalane scales amid mounting sustainability pressure
woman jumps into water with sharks
The beauty industry’s emphasis on ethics and sustainability is incentivizing the reimagination of animal-derived ingredients like squalane. The market is showing a preference for plant-based substitutes of the hydration hero ingredient, which is traditionally sourced from shark liver oil. Alongside animal suffering, shark hunting can pose a threat to marine ecosystems due to their important role in aquatic habitats.“Plant-derived squalene provides an opportunity to meet the same ingredient demand without relying on an animal source,” Bryan See, VP president of biotechnology and ingredient company, PhytoGaia, tells Personal Care Insights.
Middle East beauty heads for US$20B as GCC becomes global innovation hub
Woman wearing a hijab getting her makeup done
The Middle Eastern beauty market is on track to reach US$20.8 billion by 2030, up from US$14.3 billion in 2025, according to BeautyMatter’s recent report. The global cosmetics intelligence platform says that while the worldwide beauty market grew by about 6% in 2025, the Middle East and Africa grew by 16%, making it one of the fastest-growing beauty regions globally.
Menopause formulations diversify with functional probiotics and botanicals
Woman taking nutrition supplements at home in kitchen

Nutrition Insight

As the scientific understanding and exploration of menopausal women’s health deepens, the nutrition industry is increasingly reflecting this in creating formulations addressing more nuanced needs and investing in women-only clinical trials to back them up. To learn which ingredients or formulation approaches are gaining the most traction for menopause products, Nutrition Insight speaks with Lallemand Bio-Ingredients, Lallemand Health Solutions, and Gnosis by Lesaffre. 
Highlighted features
A phone with Avon written on it.
Business News
Regent to acquire Avon North America, reuniting it with...
Regent will acquire the entirety of LG Household & Health Care’s (LG H&H) stake in Avon North America. Avon International and North America will be reunited under the global investment firm. Michael A. Reinstein, founder, chairman, and CEO of Regent, says: “Bringing Avon North America and Avon International back together gives Avon clearer ownership, a shared strategy, and a stronger foundation for growth… Our job now is to put the scale of the combined business behind better products, sharper execution, and a stronger earning opportunity for the people who sell them.” 
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Policy & regulation news
South Korea passes landmark law to fuel K-beauty industry
South Korea has passed legislation to develop Korea’s beauty industry into a primary engine of national economic growth. This is the country’s first legal framework made specifically to cultivate the commercial development of the sector. The National Assembly approving the Act on the Fostering and Support of the Cosmetics Industry (Cosmetics Industry Promotion Act) provides a legal foundation to support the entire cosmetics ecosystem. It gives the Ministry of Health and Welfare formal authority to help cosmetics brands, manufacturers, R&D, raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and distribution. 
A woman wearing traditional clothing, only showing her eyes.
Business News
Wipro and Amorepacific deals signal India’s rise as premium...
The Indian beauty market is commanding global attention, with major brands investing in the region’s fast-growing industry. The country has become unignorable as a growth lever for premium and digital, youth-targeted skin care. One of the latest moves exemplifying this momentum is Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting announcing the acquisition of the made-in-India brand, Dermatouch. The deal marks Wipro Consumer Care’s entry into India’s expanding premium skin care market. 

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Eco-conscious cosmeticsAug2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that environmental aspects are important to consumers when purchasing beauty & personal care products. New product launches show 15% CAGR for products with et...

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Next-gen holistic beauty Aug 2026

According to Innova Market Insights data, 28% of consumers globally say that a more holistic or multi-dimensional approach allows them to adopt a more self-sufficient approach to their health. As this mindset extends into beauty, brands are taking a broader approach to personal care, combining appearance, wellness, and long-term health in increasingly multifunctional products.

Trend analysis

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Mushroom-derived ingredients Aug 2026

Innova Market Insights data shows growth in the use of mushroom ingredients in personal care launches, with a 14% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. Skin and hair care products featured the highest use of mushroom ingredients, while body care experienced the fastest growth in innovation. These ingredients are most commonly found in hydrating products, where they provide softening and smoothing benefits.

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Consumer Reports video thumbnail: Stylist braiding purple extensions into a client’s long black hair, with a circular professional headshot inset
Video12:12
Consumer Reports: States urged to regulate braiding hair amid federal silence

Consumer Reports found heavy metals in nearly all braiding hair it tested, and volatile organic compounds in every sample. James Rogers, director and head of product safety testing at Consumer Reports, tells Personal Care Insights that no US federal agency clearly...

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