Policy & Regulation
FDA publishes the first proposed rule under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act – a testing method for detecting asbestos in talc-containing cosmetics.
The Washington State Department of Ecology publishes ‘Interim Policy on Lead in Cosmetics’ which provides safe harbor options for cosmetic products struggling with the 1ppm limit under the state’s Toxic Free Cosmetics Act, while the department gathers information under a newly opened rulemaking to ‘identify a feasible approach to regulating lead in cosmetic products.’
Many small US and independent beauty brands are still unfamiliar with the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act, as are owners of beauty brands based outside the US; the lack of education about the regulation is making many stakeholders at risk for non-compliance.
Namandje Bumpus' departure means there is no obvious, internal candidate to serve as acting commissioner when President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January and the Senate works to confirm a new leader.
Business
Ulta Beauty, Inc. CEO Dave Kimbell retires after 11 years with the beauty retailer and is replaced by president and chief operating officer Kecia Steelman, as a strong holiday sales period prompts the firm to update its fiscal fourth quarter projections.
Anti-aging skin care device marketer UVVU Inc. agreed to discontinue or modify a number of claims for its SolaWave 4-in-1 Skin Care Wand with Red Light Therapy, since statements were not substantiated by an in-home use study on which they relied, says the National Advertising Division.
National Advertising Division found multiple faults with Oral Essentials’ evidence for claim, including that an in vitro study the firm conducted on “mouse cells is not dispositive of whether the same product would have any adverse effects on humans under real world conditions.”
L’Oréal SA’s CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion was the most popular of 600 top-selling Amazon brands across 24 countries in 2024, according to market research firm Omnisend. Separately, IFF names new CEO, Ulta reports fiscal third quarter sales and Sephora unveils eight BIPOC brands for its incubator program.
Innovation & IP
L’Oréal Group unveils Cell BioPrint, a hardware device that provides personalized skin analysis in just five minutes, while Shiseido and Samsung win innovation awards for their digital beauty devices during the Consumer Technology Association’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Vichy Labs Dercos Anti-Dandruff Brand Makes Stateside Debut, targeted to 60% of Americans who don’t use dandruff-specific formulas, while Interparfums Inc. launches a proprietary fragrance line to sell in its first-ever boutiques and iconic Bain De Soleil suncare is slated to return to US stores under new ownership.
Xytogen Biotech’s Factorfive stem cell-based skin care delivers benefits that are greater than the company claims, says founder and CEO John Aylworth. Available mostly through clinicians’ offices, the formulas are based on a proprietary process that triggers stem cells to send out growth factor signals, which are captured in a ‘conditioned media’ and used as the basis for products.
Bayer adds dry eye treatment to its Bepanthen skin care range; Stada launches special edition Elotrans supplement for Eintracht Frankfurt fans; Hermes offers chewable magnesium supplement; and Klosterfrau introduces Oyono Night extension to help troubled sleepers maintain their immunity.