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Greece investigates invasive fish as cosmetic ingredient resource

Scientists in Greece are exploring whether toxic and invasive fish species disrupting the Mediterranean fishing industries and ecosystems could be used for cosmetic ingredients. The research aims to offer a sustainable and circular approach to marine ecosystem management, and could open up new opportunities for cosmetic formulations. However, it also raises questions about whether it contributes to normalizing the use of animal-derived ingredients in an industry increasingly moving toward cruelty-free and vegan alternatives.
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Eco-conscious beauty moves upstream as biotech and fermentation drive green formulation
Consumers are demanding products that promise sustainable beauty, causing “eco-consciousness” to become a prerequisite in the industry. The term has evolved from end-of-life demands, such as recyclable packaging, to a more holistic approach for ensuring environmental ethics.Eco-conscious thinking is increasingly embedded across the supply chain and manufacturing capabilities in the beauty sector as it works to meet market demands. For industry players, this means environmentally mindful ingredient selections, resource-efficient manufacturing processes, and low-impact packaging choices.
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Glow from the tin: Sardines become TikTok’s latest “beauty food” trend
The merging of food and beauty continues to make waves across skin care, and this time, the latest food swimming into the spotlight is sardines. According to Fresha, a beauty and wellness booking platform, consuming sardines for skin care is trending on TikTok, with creators claiming the fish is the “best skin care investment they’ve ever made.” The move signals further interest in beauty-focused food, as consumers lean toward products that can be found in the pantry. These items, including sardines, are being positioned as nutrition-based alternatives to complicated routines and premium skin care.
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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.
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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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CVC backs Silicon2 with US$215M to scale international K-beauty distribution
woman applies makeup
Silicon2 has secured ₩300 billion (US$215 million) in investments from global private equity fund CVC Capital Partners (CVC) as the K-beauty distributor pushes to expand international logistics and distribution operations.CVC’s stock and globally expansive industry connections are expected to bolster Silicon2’s international ambitions. The partnership indicates broadening international interest in supporting the K-beauty infrastructure, moving beyond individual attention to brands. 
Essity buys Kenvue Brazilian feminine care business in US$284M deal
A woman shopping for pads in a store.
Essity has entered into an agreement to acquire Kenvue’s feminine care business in Brazil. The deal will include brands such as Carefree, Sempre Livre, and OB. The purchase price amounts to US$284 million on a cash and debt-free basis. Essity says the acquisition strengthens its position as a market leader in feminine care in Latin America. 
How waste feedstocks and biotech create circular cosmetic ingredients
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AmphiStar is coupling waste feedstocks and biotechnological capabilities to enable a more circular innovation cycle in cosmetic products. The company produces its ingredients entirely from bio-based waste and side streams, reducing reliance on first-generation agricultural feedstocks.Personal Care Insights sits down with Sophie Roelants, chief operating officer, and Sofie Lodens, product and project manager at AmphiStar, to discuss how eco-friendliness can be rethought, starting from the most fundamental level — the feedstocks.
Aptar Beauty expands US production of Meridian aerosol actuators
mousse in hand
Aptar Beauty, a segment of Aptar Group, is expanding the production of its Meridian aerosol actuator platform in the US to support supply chain resilience and accelerate time-to-market. The aerosol actuators — Meridian Spray and Meridian Mousse — are compatible with a variety of aerosol personal care formats and are touted to deliver ergonomic performance and a premium design.The global dispensing solutions company is bolstering its US manufacturing capabilities and aiming to better support customer demand by transitioning the production of Meridian Spray from Queretaro, Mexico, to Cary, Illinois.
LiviWell launches first FDA-cleared post-sex absorption device
A woman lying in bed and smiling.
Livi, the first US FDA-cleared device designed to absorb semen and vaginal discharge after intercourse, is now available nationwide. The doctor-designed solution was made to address a “common yet rarely discussed” aspect of intimate health, managing post-sex fluids that can contribute to lingering discharge and odor, including those associated with temporary pH changes. LiviWell says it is introducing a new category of science-backed post-sex care designed to help people take control of their vaginal health. 
Oral delivery blurs the line between supplement and gray-market peptides
man in his bedroom, taking his daily supplement dose with a dropper

Nutrition Insight

The emerging peptide market is rapidly growing, and so too are concerns about the safety of these short chains of amino acids as consumers and industries grapple with distinguishing them from supplements. The labels on these gray-market peptides often note that the products are not for everyday use or human consumption, yet there are brands using some of these peptides in their oral supplements. 
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Research & Science news
L’Oréal and NUS partner to test skin’s role in whole-body...
L’Oréal and the National University of Singapore (NUS) Medicine have launched a multi-year strategic research partnership to investigate the skin’s role in overall longevity. The collaboration aims to close a gap in skin aging science by exploring its role in how the rest of the body ages over time, potentially leading to more preventive approaches.In the personal care industry, longevity science has moved beyond addressing visible signs of aging toward understanding the biological mechanisms that drive aging at a cellular level.  The partnership takes the ethos behind longevity thinking further by asking whether the skin can act as a reliable indicator of systemic biological aging.
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Policy & regulation news
South Korea targets fake K-beauty surge as China spreads...
South Korea is launching a defense against counterfeit Korean beauty products as reports surface that Chinese-made fakes are reaching European markets. The move comes as Korea’s Customs Service found that 97.7% of counterfeit Korean-brand goods seized last year came from China, with cosmetics making up the largest category.According to Korean customs, South Korean cosmetics exports reached US$7 billion in the first half of this year, with the US becoming the largest export market and European sales climbing sharply. 
Ashland logo on a computer screen
Business News
Ashland explores sale as private equity giants circle
Specialty cosmetic ingredient manufacturer Ashland is exploring a possible sale as other beauty companies and private equity firms are prospecting its specialty cosmetic ingredients portfolio. Following the news, the company’s stock jumped 6%. The move comes after months of pressure from activist investors, who have been pushing the chemical maker to put itself up for sale.

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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.

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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
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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...

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