Asia-Pacific is a hotbed of beauty activity. According to data from Euromonitor International, 9% of APAC consumers said they would pay an additional 10% to 50% for beauty products with scientific formulations. In response to growing consumer demand for scientifically-backed products, this year’s In-Cosmetics Asia introduces the Cosmetic Conference, in association with the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) and sponsored by DSM-Firmenich.

In-Cosmetics Asia takes places November 5-7, 2024 in Bangkok.

The two-day conference (November 5 and 6) includes science-led talks by some of the world’s leading scientists and R&D experts, including Perry Romanowski, chair of education at IFSCC and vice president of Element 44 Inc., with his session, “The future of beauty: how AI will affect cosmetic chemists and formulation.” Dr. Tarun Chopra, director of advanced research at L’Oréal Singapore will give a holistic view of the challenges and opportunities presented by knowledge of the skin microbiome in cosmetics in the session, “Microbiome sciences: from knowledge to effective dermo-cosmetic solutions.” Dr. Romun Leaovitavat, dermatologist and medical consultant, will close Day One of the conference by teaching attendees how to fight aging in the session, “Unlocking the essence of skin-aging: Morphology, skin barrier and function.”

Day Two of the conference will see the experts return to the stage to deliver further sessions. Chopra will cover the science of pigmentation, hyperpigmentation triggers and effective cosmetic treatments with key active ingredients, in the presentation, “Understanding and managing skin tone and pigmentary disorders.” Meanwhile, Danilo Lambino, founder of Formulae 8 Pty Ltd, will present part two of “Making smart ingredient choices for new product development.” Lambino will emphasize the importance of fact-checking and verification as essential tools to make informed and intelligent ingredient choices.

Concluding the conference, Dr. Thomas Dawson, deputy executive director at A*Star Skin Research Labs, will close the knowledge gap on hair follicle cycling and balding in “Metabolic regulation of the anagen hair follicle: A possible way to prevent hair miniaturization?“

The full list of Cosmetic Conference sessions can be found here.

Spotlight on ‘Skin Screen’ Seminars

Skincare is the largest and most dynamic segment in Asia Pacific. Japan is the largest skincare market with sales of $21.8 billion. China is the No. 2 market, with sales of $20.7 billion.

However, data from In-Cosmetics’ partner, Covalo, suggests that market dynamics are shifting, with skincare searches demonstrating an increased focus on better-aging, as opposed to anti-aging. Covalo’s data suggests that, as a performance claim, “antioxidants” are currently attracting 5.5x more traffic than “anti-aging.”

Against this backdrop, “Skin Screen” will dominate this year’s Spotlight On feature – an interactive zone for visitors to touch, test and sample formulated personal care ingredients. The Zone will be divided into four key subcategories for 2024: skin protection (SPF, blue light, anti-pollution), skin repair and healing (anti-inflammatory), skin support and maintenance (microbiome, probiotics, vitamins), and skin change and alteration (anti-aging, lightening, brightening).

A key session will be, “Uncovering fast-emerging products, ingredients and keywords in the global market” which will be run by Trendier. This presentation will explore the rising products, ingredients and formulations making waves in the global market by analyzing data points from platforms including Amazon and Sephora. It will also cover trends and keywords to watch in the market, such as “anti-acne” and “slow aging.”

The full list of Spotlight On presentations can be found here.

“In-Cosmetics Asia attracts a diverse audience from global cosmetics giants such as L’Oréal and P&G, to scientists from small and medium-sized businesses, marketing professionals and influencers,” said Sarah Gibson, event director at In-Cosmetics Asia. “Covering everything from science and technology to marketing trends, our free-of-charge, educational program caters to a broad range of cosmetics experts, hence its enormous popularity.

“The event is a community of industry professionals sharing knowledge, collaborating, and propelling the sector forward. This is your chance to join the conversation shaping the future of APAC beauty and we’re looking forward to welcoming new and familiar faces,” Gibson concluded.

For more information and to register, visit the in-cosmetics Asia website here.

Hands-on Expertise in the Formulation Lab

This year’s Formulation Lab will host sessions featuring industry leaders from the likes of Clariant, Nikko Chemicals and Innospec. The lab offers a hands-on opportunity for formulators and R&D staff to enhance their skills in a fully equipped environment.

Running over the three days of the event, various experts will lead sessions covering formulation techniques focusing on foundations, UV, anti-acne and pore care as well as suncare products, propanediol and sustainable cleansing.

To complement the offering, In-Cosmetics Asia’s own technical advisor, Dr Oliver Hofmann, will run a Q&A session entitled “What are your cosmetic formulation challenges?” From safety and stability to ingredient compatibility and key consumer trends, this session will deliver on some of the most pressing concerns for formulators.

The full list of Formulation Lab sessions can be found here.

Suppliers Get Technical

The technical seminar program was shaped by key consumer trends such as “glass skin,” peptides, fragrance ingredients and exosomes. Leading suppliers will provide an update on the latest research and new product developments driving these trends. The full list of Technical Seminar sessions can be found here.

Talking About Trends in Marketing and Regulations

The Marketing Trends and Regulations Theater will feature 18 sessions, offering critical insights into the latest consumer trends and regulatory developments. Visitors can choose to tune into sessions focusing on topics such as ageing, K-Beauty, wellness, sustainability and more.

Cilla Henriette, business humanizer and partner at Innate Motion, will lead an educational session titled, “The meaning of aging across life stages.” Once associated with turning 40, the onset of aging is now a concern from the early 20s, with trends like Botox influencing these discussions. The session will explore how the beauty industry can reconfigure the aging narrative, turning it into a more positive and empowering experience, while addressing the unique highlights and challenges that shape our understanding of ageing throughout different stages of life.

Due to the growing popularity of South-Korean pop culture, K-beauty beauty sales will approach $26 billion by 2032. Offering an overview of the Korean beauty market and its latest innovations will be Jayanne Jin, global business editorial committee at K-beauty Science. The session will highlight best-selling products, in-demand ingredients, and insights from US-based search analytics firm Spate. With global interest in K-beauty going strong, the presentation will uncover the key forces shaping the industry and the ingredient trends driving consumer demand.

The Asia-Pacific beauty market is driven by North Asian innovation and a growing Southeast Asian consumer base. Addressing this, Anindhitha Maniath, senior research analyst at Euromonitor International, will lead a session entitled “Glow Up: Exploring APAC’s beauty and personal care revolution” examining key trends, including the rising focus on wellness, the shift towards “premiumization” with an emphasis on value, and the increasing demand for convenient beauty solutions. Exploring the latest data and insights, the presentation will offer strategies to help businesses stay competitive and meet the evolving needs of consumers across the region, including Thailand. 

Merve Samur, director of INCI Lab, will present “From lab to shelf: bridging R&D and marketing in beauty,” offering exclusive insights on closing the gap between research and marketing in the cosmetics industry. The session will explore how blending scientific innovation with creative strategies drives successful product development and provide actionable techniques to turn creative ideas into consumer-favorite beauty products.

Another of the most anticipated trends is AI. Yann Chilvers, founder and co-CEO of Covalo, will explore “10 transformative ways AI is changing the personal care sector,” providing attendees with a glimpse into the latest technological innovations shaping the market, and its impact on revolutionizing work processes, redefining industry standards and addressing skilled labor shortages.

The full list of Marketing Trends & Regulations Theatre sessions can be found here.