California has been on the forefront of implementing regulations to create safer beauty products for consumers. They are now taking another stand and will be the first state in the US to ban several toxic ingredients in beauty & personal care products. 

PUBLICATION REPOST l WGSN Sarah Owen 

Today's saturated and fragmented influencer landscape is starting to have adverse effects. New influential figures, driven by their ability to mobilize and motivate people, are taking the spotlight in 2020 and beyond.

Analysis Overview 

Over the last decade the power and source of influencers has dramatically evolved, largely driven by transformations in mobile technology, internet culture and shifting consumer values.

In 2010, celebrity appeal drove the majority of brand partnerships, five years later visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest hit mainstream. Then a new people-powered hero came into the spotlight: the influencer. While 'end of the influencer' discourse has been ramping up over the last year, the truth is influencers maintain relevance as a marketing tool, but not as much for immediate conversion.

In 2020, influencers are competing with creators and thought leaders, each of which are positioned to effectively engage their audiences through entertainment and information. As a result, the advocate takes center stage, becoming a new standard for marketers to evaluate and select their brand partners. Advocates influence with authority, expertise, authenticity and values, eschewing highly product-driven narratives for human-centric stories and change agendas.

In 2019, global opportunities for men’s grooming products sought to appeal to a more informed eco-conscious consumer, stress convenience, and align with wellness and inclusivity trends. New product developments for men included items within the shaving preparations, razors, deodorants, hair styling, and shower categories with less developments in depilatory (hair removal), face and neck care, shampoo, bar soap, and eye care categories.

PUBLICATION REPOST l  PERFUMER & FLAVORIST

New research from Genomatica has revealed that amid the COVID-19 pandemic Americans are considering sustainability a top-of-mind issue and demanding prioritization of the topic by brands and the government. 

With effects of the pandemic revealing less traffic, cleaner air and more plastic waste, 85% of Americans reported thinking the same amount or more about sustainability.

More than half (56%) of Americans want both the government and brands to prioritize sustainability even while facing other issues.

The association’s proactive, multi-pronged efforts continue to prevent new tariffs on essential oils, while protecting U.S. jobs and preventing cost increases for everyday consumer products

REPOST l FRAGRANCE CREATORS

Fragrance Creators Association is the principal fragrance trade association, which  Lebermuth's CEO Rob Brown is a proud Board Member of the association. The organization represents the majority of fragrance manufacturing in North America as well as interests along the fragrance value chain—for people, perfume, and the planet. Fragrance Creators' membership is diverse, including companies that create, manufacture, and use fragrances and scents for home care, personal care, home design, fine fragrance, and industrial and institutional products as well as those that supply fragrance ingredients, including natural extracts and other raw materials that are used in perfumery and fragrance mixtures. 

Fragrance Creators Association announced today it preserved an estimated $91.1 million in savings for the fragrance value chain. This marks the third time Fragrance Creators’ advocacy has protected EU essential oil imports since 2019. It is a significant outcome for the fragrance industry, American jobs, and the economy—and one that prevents unnecessary cost increases for millions of consumers who use and enjoy scented products every day.

Relaxing in 2020 can be difficult amid the pandemic and a good night's sleep can boost the immune system and keep anxiety at bay. Both top-of-mind priorities for COVID-concerned consumers. This will propel the already burgeoning sleep category with innovations in smart  relaxation and sleep care. We look at the new products supporting consumers’ quest for tranquility.

Yet Business-as-usual could nearly triple ocean plastic pollution by 2040

PUBLICATION REPOST l PACKAGE INSIGHT, JOSHUA POOLE

Soap has always been a necessity to rid us of bacteria in our households and businesses. We have seen the industry innovate for decades to improve how soap kills germs with safer ingredients and with different textures such as foam. Due to the easily spread COVID-19 virus, that innovation will accelerate.

Before this pandemic, we could just wash our hands. Not anymore. Killing the bacteria has become more crucial, so crucial we are now being instructed on how we wash. However, killing bacteria is not the only thing under the lens so is product formats and benefits/added value such as stress relief or moisturizing from consistent washing.

PUBLICATION REPOST l BEAUTY MATTERS, KELLY KOVAC

Procter & Gamble Beauty has introduced new all-paper, plastic-free dispensing tubes for Secret and Old Spice deodorants, eliminating the traditional plastic push-up components. The new packaging will be available in May at 500 Walmart stores in the US.