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Briefing

The latest published updates from across the beauty industry.

Hong Kong Customs stated that Sudan Red was detected in Medicube cream, while the brand responded that the test results showed no detection.

Recently, Hong Kong Customs of China issued a public announcement stating that the PDRN Collagen Capsule Cream under the South Korean beauty brand Medicube was found to contain the banned substance Sudan Red during safety testing, suspected of violating the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance. Customs also discovered that the product packaging lacked Chinese warning labels, potentially violating relevant subsidiary regulations. The product in question highlights PDRN repair benefits and was previously involved in a public controversy over raw materials containing Sudan Red in 2025. In response to these test results, Medicube issued a statement through official channels, stating that tests conducted by accredited testing agencies in South Korea showed "not detected" for Sudan Red in the relevant products, and the test reports have been submitted to Hong Kong Customs for reference. Brand customer service stated that the company conducted internal testing again in 2026 year 6 month, with all results negative, and is currently cooperating with Customs for review and necessary additional verification. Regarding label compliance issues, the brand stated it is assessing local regulations and will make adjustments in accordance with the law if necessary. It is worth noting that despite facing regulatory controversy, the product in question continues to be sold normally at Medicube's overseas flagship store. The brand revealed that, based on the principle of prudence, the formula for its products sold in Hong Kong, China, has been updated since 2026 year 3 month. This incident has once again drawn market attention to the traceability of cosmetic raw materials and differences in cross-border regulatory standards. As an industrial dye, Sudan Red is strictly prohibited from being added to cosmetics due to its potential carcinogenic risk. Regarding the significant discrepancy between the test results of the brand and the regulatory authorities, industry observers pointed out that this may involve complexities such as sampling batches, sensitivity of testing methods, or supply chain contamination, and the final conclusion awaits further investigation and confirmation by officials. If mishandled, this incident will have a sustained negative impact on brand reputation and consumer trust, while also reminding multinational beauty companies to strengthen compliance management and transparency building in their global supply chains.

Unilever releases its 2026 semi-annual report: first-half performance hits a ten-year high after divesting the food business

[Breaking News] British consumer goods giant Unilever released its 2026 first-half financial report on 2026 year, 7 month, 28 day. Benefiting from the completion of the food business divestment in 3 month this year and a focus on the core beauty and health sectors, the group's underlying sales growth in the first half increased by 4.8% year-on-year, with turnover reaching 256 hundred million euros, a slight year-on-year increase of 0.5%, primarily driven by volume growth. This marks Unilever's strongest first-half performance in the past ten years. Data shows that the "Power Brands" portfolio, composed of 30 core brands such as Dove, Vaseline, and Sunsilk, contributed 78% of the group's turnover and led overall volume growth. Among them, the Beauty & Wellbeing division performed particularly strongly, accounting for 25% of the group's total turnover, with underlying sales growth up 5.9% year-on-year (volume contribution 4.5%, price contribution 1.3%), and underlying operating profit reaching 13 hundred million euros, a year-on-year increase of 1%. In terms of specific categories, the hair care business achieved high single-digit growth; Dove achieved double-digit growth driven by premium innovative technology series such as Fibre Repair; the skin care business achieved low single-digit growth driven by premium brands such as Paula's Choice, Hourglass, and Tatcha. In regional markets, emerging markets such as India, Indonesia, and Latin America showed strong momentum, and the North American market also outperformed the broader market, but the Asia-Pacific and Africa regions performed relatively weakly. Previously, Unilever sold its food business, including Hellmann’s and Marmite, to the American company McCormick & Company for 448 hundred million US dollars. CEO Fernando Fernandez stated that second-quarter volume...

Recode Studios plans to acquire a majority stake in Aflairza Professionals in stages

On 2026 year, 7 month, 24 day, Recode Studios announced the signing of a strategic investment agreement to acquire up to 51% equity in the Indian premium beauty brand Aflairza Professionals. This move aims to expand its premium beauty product portfolio and strengthen distribution capabilities in India's rapidly growing beauty and personal care market. According to the agreement, the acquisition will be carried out in two phases. In the first phase, Recode Studios will purchase 33% equity in Aflairza at a value of 8.32 hundred million rupees (approximately more than RMB 7000 ten thousand) by acquiring promoter shares and injecting new capital. In the second phase, after achieving agreed-upon performance milestones, Recode Studios will further increase its shareholding to 51%, thereby becoming the controlling shareholder. Aflairza Professionals focuses on developing professional-grade beauty products using Korean formulations. After the transaction is completed, the brand will continue to be managed by the existing founding team, maintaining operational independence. Recode Studios will provide Aflairza with strategic guidance, operational support, and manufacturing investment, and leverage its resource network to help the brand expand its distribution coverage across online and offline retail channels. Industry analysis points out that this transaction reflects the ongoing consolidation trend in India's premium beauty sector. As consumer demand for high-quality cosmetics rises, established companies are enriching their product matrices, enhancing manufacturing capabilities, and capturing market share by investing in high-growth brands. Through this controlling acquisition, Recode Studios is expected to further consolidate its market position in South Asia and accelerate the scaled development of its premium beauty business. Currently, the transaction is pending final completion subject to relevant regulatory approvals and the fulfillment of performance conditions.

Vicky Technology will be listed on the Beijing Stock Exchange on 7 month 27 day, becoming the "first peptide raw material stock"

Shenzhen Vicky Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Vicky Technology") disclosed an announcement showing that the company will officially list on the Beijing Stock Exchange on 2026 year 7 month 27 day, with stock code 920176 and issue price 22.16 yuan per share. As a representative enterprise deeply engaged in the field of cosmetic active peptides, Vicky Technology's listing is regarded as the "first peptide raw material stock", marking an important breakthrough for upstream core raw material enterprises in the beauty industry in the capital market. Vicky Technology was established in 2011 year, and has long been committed to introducing drug research and development methodology into the development of cosmetic peptide raw materials. Relying on the "1+3" innovative research and development system, the company has overcome multiple international technical barriers, currently owns 69 invention patents related to its main business, and has obtained 22 new cosmetic raw material filings in total. Its self-developed Erasin0003 is one of the first innovative structural new raw materials in China to pass safety monitoring and be included in the "Catalogue of Used Cosmetic Raw Materials" after the implementation of the new regulations. In addition, the company has also laid out the field of synthetic biology, jointly established a joint laboratory with the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and explored green manufacturing paths. In terms of market, Vicky Technology's products have covered more than 20 countries and regions worldwide, with customers including Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Marubi, Fuerjia and other leading domestic and international brands. It is worth noting that in this IPO strategic placement, domestic beauty giants Proya and Giant Biogene both entered, each receiving 90252 shares. This is Giant Biogene's first strategic investment in an external raw material supplier, and also a key move for Proya to extend to the core technology links in the upstream of the industry chain. Well-known institutions such as CICC Capital and Songhe Capital are also on the shareholder list. Industry analysis pointed out that the listing of Vicky Technology and the strategic shareholding of industry giants reflect that the competitive logic of China's beauty industry is shifting from marketing-driven to technology-driven, and full industry chain collaboration has become a new trend. The funds raised this time will be mainly invested in Vicky Health...

Unilever's TRESemmé faces a lawsuit in the United States over preservative ingredients

Recently, Unilever's hair care brand TRESemmé (Chinese name: Xuan Shi) has faced a new class-action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Six female plaintiffs allege that the preservative DMDM hydantoin used in the brand's shampoos and conditioners caused side effects such as hair loss, scalp allergies, and hair thinning. The plaintiffs argue that Unilever, aware of the potential health risks associated with this ingredient, failed to adequately fulfill its duty to warn, constituting negligence and false advertising, and are seeking compensation for medical expenses and emotional distress. The controversy centers on DMDM hydantoin, which acts as a preservative by slowly releasing formaldehyde, a substance classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a Group 1 carcinogen. Although this ingredient is still permitted for use globally at compliant concentrations, its safety has been increasingly questioned by consumers in recent years. Previously, Unilever successfully defended itself in similar lawsuits, with courts not finding a direct causal link between the product ingredients and consumer harm. It is worth noting that the TRESemmé brand has entered the Chinese market and has previously engaged celebrities such as Li Yuchun and Jiang Xin as spokespersons. In response to concerns raised by this overseas lawsuit, customer service representatives on domestic e-commerce platforms stated that the formula of TRESemmé products currently sold in the Chinese market differs from the U.S. version and does not contain the DMDM hydantoin ingredient involved in the litigation. Industry experts point out that although the Chinese version of the product has switched to Kathon preservatives (methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone), these ingredients also carry a risk of sensitization and belong to an older generation of preservative systems. Experts recommend that brands should align with industry trends and upgrade to milder preservative solutions. Although this lawsuit is mainly confined to the U.S. market, given Unilever's global influence and growing consumer concern about ingredient safety, the incident may have some impact on the brand's reputation and prompt the industry to re-examine usage standards for traditional preservatives and compliance consistency across global supply chains.

Symrise signs agreement to acquire French natural fragrance ingredient supplier Floral Concept in full

German beauty, fragrance, and flavor giant Symrise recently signed an agreement to fully acquire the French company Floral Concept, which specializes in natural perfume ingredients. This transaction aims to further consolidate Symrise's market position in the fragrance sector and strengthen the core competitiveness of its fragrance division by integrating high-quality resources. Floral Concept is headquartered in Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne in the Grasse region of France, an area hailed as the heart of the global perfume industry. The company possesses deep professional expertise and technical advantages in the cultivation, extraction, and processing of natural fragrance ingredients. Symrise stated that after the acquisition, Floral Concept's professional capabilities will create synergies with Lautier 1795, a long-established brand under the group that has recently resumed its fragrance ingredient trading business. As a historic fragrance supplier, the relaunch of Lautier 1795 marks Symrise's strategic repositioning in the traditional fragrance ingredient trade. By combining Floral Concept's vertical integration capabilities in natural raw materials with Lautier 1795's trade network and industry reputation, Symrise expects to build a more complete and resilient fragrance supply chain system to meet the growing global demand for natural and sustainable perfume ingredients. This acquisition reflects the trend toward naturalization and transparency in the international fragrance and flavor industry. As consumers pay more attention to ingredient sourcing, controlling upstream natural raw material resources has become a key strategy for leading companies. Through this merger and acquisition, Symrise has not only enriched its portfolio of natural raw materials but also strengthened its supply assurance capability in the high-end perfume market. The specific financial details of the transaction...

SEMCAP Beauty & Wellness Acquires Minority Stake in Merit

Global beauty investment group SEMCAP Beauty & Wellness announced that it has acquired a minority stake in the minimalist makeup brand Merit. This transaction marks Merit’s further introduction of strategic capital support after receiving recognition as a BeautyMatter FUTURE 50 Brand in 2024. Founded by former Sephora executive Ashley Goodall, Merit operates on the philosophy of “less is more,” focusing on efficient and easy-to-use daily makeup products. In recent years, it has rapidly risen in the North American market, becoming one of the representative brands under the trends of clean beauty and minimalist skincare. As a professional investment institution focused on the beauty and wellness sectors, SEMCAP Beauty & Wellness’s portfolio includes multiple internationally renowned beauty brands. This equity investment aims to leverage SEMCAP’s global resource network to assist Merit in expanding into international markets, optimizing supply chain efficiency, and accelerating the research, development, and launch of new product categories. Industry analysis points out that the current beauty market is undergoing a transition from high-speed growth to high-quality growth, with investors favoring enterprises that have clear brand positioning, stable repurchase rates, and healthy cash flows. Relying on its streamlined product line and strong community operation capabilities, Merit has maintained high user stickiness. Bringing in SEMCAP as a minority shareholder not only provides financial support for the brand but also brings mature international operational experience. This move is expected to help Merit break through regional market limitations and enhance its competitiveness in the global premium mass beauty market, while maintaining brand independence and core values. The specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed publicly, and both parties stated that they will continue to maintain close cooperation to jointly promote the brand’s long-term sustainable development.

LVMH Group appoints new CEO of its perfume division

On 2026 year 7 month 23 day, global luxury giant LVMH officially announced a personnel change in its perfume division, appointing a new chief executive officer to lead the future development of this business segment. This appointment marks an important adjustment in LVMH's management structure for its core beauty category. As one of the world's largest luxury groups, LVMH owns well-known perfume brands such as Dior, Guerlain, and Givenchy, and its perfume and cosmetics division has always been a key driver of the group's growth. In recent years, with intensifying competition in the global high-end fragrance market and rising consumer demand for personalized and sustainable products, the perfume business faces new opportunities and challenges. Industry analysis points out that this top-level leadership change aims to further strengthen brand innovation capabilities, optimize global supply chain efficiency, and deepen strategic layout in Asia-Pacific and emerging markets. Although the official announcement did not disclose detailed background of the new CEO or immediate strategic details, the market generally expects the new leadership to focus on digital transformation, high-end customization services, and the application of environmentally sustainable raw materials. This personnel change also reflects LVMH's emphasis on the long-term value of the beauty segment, intending to consolidate its leading position in the high-end perfume market through a more professional management team. This appointment is expected to have a profound impact on the group's internal operational processes and external partner relationships. The industry will closely watch the new executive's first major initiatives after taking office, including whether there will be new brand acquisition plans or restructuring of existing product lines. In the current global economic environment, LVMH's renewal of talent in key positions demonstrates its determination to respond to market fluctuations and ensure sustained growth. The change takes effect immediately, and related transition work has been carried out in an orderly manner within the group.

Prequel Skin appoints Nathalie Kristo as CEO and Toral Patel as CMO

Prequel Skin, a dermatologist-developed skincare brand founded by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Samantha Ellis, announced today the appointment of Nathalie Kristo as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Toral Patel as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). This senior leadership change aims to accelerate the brand's global growth strategy for its next phase. Nathalie Kristo brings deep management experience and extensive industry resources in the beauty and personal care sector, having previously held leadership roles at several well-known beauty companies, with expertise in driving brand scale expansion and improving operational efficiency. Toral Patel is an experienced marketing specialist focused on digital marketing strategies, brand building, and consumer insights, having successfully led digital transformation and market penetration projects for multiple beauty brands. Since its inception, Prequel Skin has built a strong reputation in the sensitive skin care niche through its professional endorsement of "dermatologist-developed" formulations and gentle yet effective product recipes. As consumer demand for ingredient safety and science-based skincare continues to grow, the brand urgently needs to expand its market share by strengthening its commercial operations and marketing capabilities. The addition of the new CEO and CMO is expected to further enhance Prequel Skin's competitiveness in supply chain management, omnichannel layout, and global brand communication. Industry analysis points out that in recent years, "medical-research co-creation" or "dermatologist endorsement" has become an important path for differentiation among skincare brands. Prequel Skin's introduction of an executive team with mature commercialization experience marks the brand's transition from a product R&D-driven model to a dual-engine model of "R&D + Commerce." This move not only helps consolidate its position in the professional skincare field but also prepares it to address the increasingly fierce market...

Givaudan's net profit in the first half of 2026 fell by 19.8%, with growth in the Fragrance & Beauty business offsetting part of the pressure

Global fragrance and flavor giant Givaudan recently announced its financial results for the first half of 2026. The data shows that despite multiple challenges including macroeconomic fluctuations, a strengthening Swiss franc, and one-off legal expenses, the company's overall revenue remained resilient, but net profit declined significantly. The financial report indicates that Givaudan's sales in the first half increased by 3.6% year-on-year at constant exchange rates, reaching 37.99 hundred million Swiss francs; however, when valued in Swiss francs, it decreased by 1.7%. Among them, the Fragrance & Beauty business performed strongly, growing by 6.5% at constant exchange rates, becoming the core driver of the company's performance; the Taste & Wellness business saw only a slight increase of 0.5%. From a regional perspective, sales in high-growth markets increased by 5.2% year-on-year, while mature markets grew by 2%. However, profitability was squeezed. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) fell by 5.2% year-on-year to 9.23 hundred million Swiss francs, with the profit margin narrowing from 25.2% to 24.3%. Affected by abnormal legal expenses of 1.03 hundred million Swiss francs (mainly involving litigation settlements and provisions), net profit in the first half plummeted by 19.8% year-on-year to 4.75 hundred million Swiss francs, and the net profit margin dropped from 15.3% to 12.5%. Earnings per share also decreased by 9.7%. Givaudan CEO Christian Stammkoetter stated that despite challenging geopolitical and macroeconomic environments, the company's business still demonstrated good growth momentum and industry-leading profitability. To cope with rising input costs in 2026, the company is implementing price increase strategies. Affected by the decline in net profit, Givaudan's stock price once fell by 6% after the release of the financial report. Analysts pointed out that although the robust performance of the Fragrance & Beauty business alleviated some pressure, legal costs and exchange rate factors clearly dragged down short-term financial performance, and investors need to pay attention to its subsequent cost…

Proya appoints Liao Feng and Wang Huaihai as Deputy Director of the R&D Innovation Center and Product Director, respectively.

On 7 month 23 day, Proya announced two important personnel appointments: former Shiyin Group R&D partner Liao Feng has been appointed as the company's Deputy Director of the R&D Innovation Center, and former Shangmei Group Scientific Communication Director Wang Huaihai has been appointed as Product Director. This move aims to further strengthen the company's technical R&D capabilities and scientific communication abilities in the field of efficacy-based skincare. It is reported that Liao Feng will be primarily responsible for building the technical system for the professional skincare brand Kerefu. He has more than ten years of experience in cosmetic efficacy evaluation and product R&D, participated in the formulation of 25 group standards for cosmetic efficacy testing and assessment, and previously worked at the Cosmetic Testing Center of Sichuan West China Hospital and the Amway (China) R&D Center. Notably, Liao Feng's colleague from his time at Shiyin Group, Sun Peiwen, had previously joined Proya as Chief R&D Innovation Officer, demonstrating the synergistic effect of leading domestic beauty enterprises in attracting high-end R&D talent. Wang Huaihai will leverage his expertise in scientific communication on the product side. He accumulated rich experience at international giants such as L'Oréal and Unilever, and joined Proya after leaving Shangmei Group in 1 month this year. His addition is expected to enhance Proya's professionalism in scientific product expression and consumer communication. This recruitment is a microcosm of Proya's continued deepening of its "technology-driven brand" strategy. Currently, Proya's global R&D team has reached 322 people, with those holding master's or doctoral degrees accounting for 41.61%, and it has established R&D centers in Hangzhou, Shanghai, Paris, and other locations. With the addition of senior professionals such as Liao Feng and Wang Huaihai, Proya is expected to consolidate its mass-market base while further expanding into the high-efficacy skincare market by strengthening the technical barriers of professional brands like Kerefu, thereby enhancing the brand's overall competitiveness.

Pien Tze Huang's revenue and net profit both declined in 2025, with a proposed cash dividend of 15.7 yuan for every 10 shares.

On 7 month 23 day, Zhangzhou Pien Tze Huang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (600436) released its 2025 annual report and announcement on the implementation of equity distribution. The financial report shows that the company achieved total operating revenue of 90.01 hundred million yuan in 2025, a year-on-year decrease of 16.56%; realized net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company of 21.59 hundred million yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 27.49%; and basic earnings per share of 3.58 yuan, down from 4.93 yuan in the same period last year. Despite performance pressure, Pien Tze Huang maintained a high dividend payout ratio. The company's announcement shows that the 2025 equity distribution plan is: based on the total share capital of 60331.72 ten thousand shares, a cash dividend of 15.70 yuan (including tax) will be distributed for every 10 shares to all shareholders, with a total cash dividend of 9.47 hundred million yuan, accounting for 43.88% of the net profit attributable to parent company shareholders in the same period. No bonus shares will be issued, nor will capital reserves be converted into share capital. The record date for equity registration is set as 2026 year 7 month 30 day, and the ex-rights and ex-dividend date is 2026 year 7 month 31 day. Pien Tze Huang's main business covers pharmaceutical manufacturing, pharmaceutical circulation, and the cosmetics industry, with core products including medications for liver diseases and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions. The dual decline in revenue and net profit reflects the operational challenges the company faces against the backdrop of macroeconomic changes and intensified industry competition. However, allocating nearly half of its profits to dividends demonstrates management's strategy of prioritizing shareholder returns even during periods of earnings volatility, aiming to boost investor confidence through stable cash dividends. For the beauty and daily chemicals sector, as a traditional pharmaceutical enterprise with a well-known cosmetics business line, Pien Tze Huang's performance fluctuations also reflect the market uncertainty faced by cross-industry brands when seeking a second growth curve beyond their core pharmaceutical business. In the future, how to balance the stability of the main business with the growth potential of emerging businesses will remain a key focus for the company.

Tongrentang Group applies for compulsory liquidation of a cosmetics subsidiary established over 20 years ago

On 7 month 21 day, according to an announcement on the National Enterprise Bankruptcy Reorganization Case Information Network, the Beijing First Intermediate People's Court ruled to accept the compulsory liquidation application filed by China Beijing Tongrentang (Group) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Tongrentang Group") against Beijing Tongrentang Cosmetics Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Tongrentang Cosmetics"). This move marks a major strategic adjustment or business contraction by this century-old pharmaceutical company in the beauty sector. Tianyancha data shows that Tongrentang Cosmetics was established on 2005 year 12 month 6 day, with Tongrentang Group holding 51% and Guoxing Group Co., Ltd. holding 49%. Its business scope includes the research and development and wholesale of beauty and cosmetic products. The company has launched brands such as Liyanfang and Yizhuang, covering multiple categories such as cleansing and care, and facial masks, but its market recognition is relatively limited. It is worth noting that the company's business term expired on 2025 year 12 month 5 day, and it was recently included in the list of abnormal business operations for failing to publish its annual report on time. Looking back, Tongrentang Cosmetics has faced compliance challenges multiple times. In 2018 year, the company was fined 80 ten thousand yuan for using an unregistered trademark as a registered trademark; in 2019 year, it was subject to administrative penalties for refusing health supervision and selling special-purpose cosmetics without approved document numbers. In 2022 year, a hair mask it commissioned for production was reported by the National Medical Products Administration as not meeting regulations, although the relevant parties denied this. Frequent violation records and quality issues have led some market views to regard its products as "private label" operations. This compulsory liquidation is not an isolated event. Previously, Tongrentang Group had announced a brand cleanup campaign to comprehensively investigate illegal and non-compliant behaviors in brand usage. Analysts believe that Tongrentang Group's divestiture of a long-standing but mediocre-performing and high-compliance-risk cosmetics subsidiary reflects the strategic retreat and restructuring of traditional pharmaceutical brands in the cross-border beauty field from extensive expansion to refined and compliant operations. As of press time, Tong...

Wipro Consumer Care plans to acquire the Philippines-based S Brands to expand its Southeast Asian market

Indian fast-moving consumer goods giant Wipro Consumer Care recently announced its plan to acquire S Brands, a personal care company headquartered in the Philippines. This transaction aims to further enrich Wipro's personal care product portfolio and significantly strengthen its business layout and brand influence in the Southeast Asian market. S Brands has a mature distribution network and a certain market share in the Philippines, with its product line covering multiple personal care categories. By integrating S Brands' resources, Wipro Consumer Care expects to accelerate its penetration rate in key Southeast Asian markets and achieve rapid business expansion by leveraging existing local channel advantages. This move aligns with Wipro's overall direction of continuously promoting its internationalization strategy and seeking growth points in emerging markets in recent years. From an industry perspective, the Southeast Asian region has become a strategic highland contested by global beauty and personal care enterprises due to its large population base and growing middle-class consumer group. For multinational corporations, acquiring well-known local brands or distributors is often one of the most efficient ways to enter this region. Wipro's move not only helps it avoid the channel construction barriers in the early stage of entering new markets, but also enables it to reach target consumers more precisely through localized operations. At present, the specific amount of the transaction and the final closing time have not been disclosed, and it is expected to require approval from relevant regulatory authorities. If the transaction is successfully completed, Wipro Consumer Care will occupy a more favorable position in the competitive landscape of the Asia-Pacific market, and it may also trigger further consolidation actions by other international fast-moving consumer goods giants in the Southeast Asian region. The industry will closely monitor the brand integration strategy and the release of synergies following this acquisition.

South Korean beauty brand Jung Saem-mool will enter US Sephora in 8 month

Jungsaemmool, the eponymous beauty brand founded by renowned South Korean makeup artist Jung Saem-mool, announced that it will officially launch on US Sephora (Sephora US) on 2026 year 8 month 21 day. This collaboration covers online channels and 37 offline stores across the United States, after which the brand plans to enter the Canadian Sephora market. This marks another significant breakthrough for the brand in mainstream US retail channels following its entry into Amazon, Costco, and Ulta Beauty. Jung Saem-mool stated that the United States holds special significance for her career; she studied fine arts in San Francisco in her early years, an experience that fostered her unique style of integrating artistic concepts into makeup creation. This entry into Sephora is regarded as a milestone in the brand's internationalization process. To support the new product launch, Jung Saem-mool plans to hold educational events in cities such as New York and Los Angeles to educate American consumers on how to use products like cushion foundations, which are widely popular in South Korea. The first batch of products entering Sephora includes the Essential Skin Nuder Cushion foundation priced at 32 dollars, the Artist Cusher Blush Blur blush priced at 23 dollars, the Essential Mool Cream face cream priced at 36 dollars, setting spray priced at 35 dollars, and lip tint priced at 26 dollars. The brand was established in 2015 year with the original intention of providing more inclusive shade options for Asian women. In terms of capital, Jungsaemmool received 3600 ten thousand dollars in financing from CLSA Capital Partners last year to support international expansion. This financing brought the brand's valuation to 3000 hundred million won (approximately 2.19 hundred million dollars), with estimated annual sales of about 1100 hundred million won. Analysts point out that with...

AliExpress was fined 5.5 hundred million euros for violating the EU Digital Services Act

[Breaking News] The European Commission recently announced a fine of 5.5 hundred million euros (approximately 6.29 hundred million US dollars) on AliExpress, the cross-border e-commerce platform under Alibaba. The penalty was imposed because AliExpress failed to effectively fulfill its obligations under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), resulting in the long-term presence of illegal, unsafe, and counterfeit products on its platform. Regulatory investigations revealed significant gaps in AliExpress's risk assessment and mitigation mechanisms, failing to effectively block non-compliant products including counterfeit goods, unsafe toys, and hazardous cosmetics. Furthermore, regulators pointed out deficiencies in the platform's product review, ad delivery, and recommendation algorithm systems, as well as insufficient brand authorization procedures and enforcement against repeat offenders. In response to this ruling, AliExpress stated it would appeal, arguing that it has made significant improvements to its risk management framework. According to EU requirements, AliExpress must propose additional remedial measures by month 10, or face further regulatory action. This substantial fine marks a significant strengthening of the EU's enforcement of online market compliance. For the beauty industry, this event has profound implications. It sends a clear signal to all cosmetic brands selling through third-party platforms: e-commerce platforms must strengthen product safety reviews and anti-counterfeiting mechanisms, and improve market governance structures. Brands need to reassess the compliance risks of their cross-border distribution channels and ensure supply chain transparency to cope with the increasingly strict global regulatory environment.

GS Global partners with Cosme Kitchen to enter the Japanese beauty distribution market

On 2026 year 7 month 21 day, global trading company GS Global officially announced its entry into the beauty distribution sector. Through a partnership with Japanese high-end beauty retailer Cosme Kitchen, GS Global launched three Korean beauty brands in the Japanese market: Jejuindi, Talitha Koum, and Pretty Actually. This move marks the commercial debut of GS Global's global beauty distribution business. The project was jointly developed by GS Global and its Japanese subsidiary GS Japan. Cosme Kitchen is a high-end retail chain brand operated by MASH Beauty Lab, with approximately 70 stores in Japan, providing important offline channel support for this collaboration. GS Global stated that this launch is the first step in building a global beauty distribution platform, aimed at supporting the international expansion of Korean independent beauty brands. The company will be responsible for the full commercial operation, covering brand selection, export, regulatory compliance, import operations, inventory management, and sales data analysis. In the future, GS Global plans to expand this distribution model to markets such as Europe, the Middle East, and Indonesia. Industry analysis points out that GS Global's entry means it has officially entered the global beauty supply chain. Leveraging its existing global trade network, GS Global positions itself as a distribution and market access partner for emerging K-beauty brands, helping to lower the barriers and risks for Korean small and medium-sized brands going overseas. For the Japanese market, introducing more diverse Korean independent brands is expected to further enrich the product structure of high-end beauty retail and intensify market competition. This trend also reflects the integration trend of the global beauty supply chain...

Kering Group appoints Romain Spitzer as CEO of Bottega Veneta; La Perla’s new CEO is also announced

[Breaking News] The global luxury and textile industries have recently seen multiple senior leadership changes. Kering Group officially announced the appointment of Romain Spitzer as Chief Executive Officer of its brand Bottega Veneta, and he will join the Group’s Executive Committee. This appointment will take effect on 9 month 1 day. Spitzer is based in Milan and reports directly to Luca de Meo, Chief Executive Officer of Kering Group. Spitzer previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Fragrance Group under LVMH Group, with more than 30 years of industry experience, having held positions at well-known brands such as Guerlain, Jean Paul Gaultier Parfums, YSL Perfumes, and Dior Perfumes. Kering Group emphasized his extensive experience in managing global luxury brands. Upon taking office, Spitzer’s core tasks will focus on optimizing the retail experience and deepening customer relationship building. Luca de Meo stated that Spitzer possesses the leadership, vision, and international experience needed to drive Bottega Veneta into its next stage of development. Meanwhile, Italian lingerie brand La Perla also announced its new Chief Executive Officer, Alessio Vannetti, who will officially join on 9 month 1 day. Vannetti previously handled branding and communications for brands such as Gucci, Valentino, Prada, and Zegna. This appointment marks a further step forward in La Perla’s restructuring process following its acquisition by Luxury Holdings LLC. The new owners, Peter and Kristen Kern, have re-hired artisans to maintain the “Made in Italy” production standards. Vannetti will succeed Paolo Vannucchi, who will continue to serve in strategic…

Proya completes its controlling stake in Flower Knows and takes over the board of directors

The latest data from Tianyancha shows that Shenzhen Flower Knows E-Commerce Co., Ltd. has undergone several changes in senior management. Yang Zifeng, founder of Flower Knows, has stepped down as chairman but continues to serve as the company's manager and director; Hou Yameng, general manager of Proya, has officially assumed the role of chairman of Flower Knows. In addition, Zhou Tiancheng, co-founder of Flower Knows, has withdrawn from the board of directors, and Fang Gong Yiliu, chief marketing officer, has stepped down as supervisor; Jin Chang, financial controller of Proya, has taken on the aforementioned related positions. This adjustment in governance structure marks a further consolidation of Proya's control over Flower Knows. Previously, Proya had achieved a controlling stake in Flower Knows through step-by-step acquisitions. In 2025, Proya's wholly-owned subsidiary, Proya (Hainan) Investment Co., Ltd., invested 4.28 hundred million yuan to acquire a 38.45% equity stake in Flower Knows. Subsequently, in 2026 year 5 month, Proya acquired a 12.54% equity stake held by Yang Zifeng for another 3.51 hundred million yuan, raising its cumulative shareholding to 51%, thereby formally including Flower Knows within the scope of Proya's consolidated financial statements. As a domestic cosmetics brand focusing on a "girly" style, Flower Knows has established high recognition among young consumer groups through its unique visual marketing. Through this full ownership and board restructuring, Proya aims to deepen synergies between the two parties in supply chain, channel resources, and brand operations. Industry analysts believe that with the integration of management teams, Flower Knows is expected to leverage Proya's mature R&D system and multi-brand operational experience to accelerate product iteration and market expansion, becoming a new pillar of performance growth for the Proya Group. This move also reflects the strategic trend of leading beauty companies acquiring and integrating high-quality assets in niche segments to cope with increasingly fierce market competition.

Curology and Walmart reach retail partnership to expand nationwide coverage of prescription acne care

Personalized prescription skincare brand Curology announced a first-of-its-kind retail partnership with Walmart, aiming to bring prescription-grade acne care products to Walmart stores nationwide and online channels. This move marks an important expansion of Curology from a direct-to-consumer online model to an omnichannel layout, leveraging Walmart's extensive retail network to improve the accessibility of prescription skincare solutions. The partnership will first launch Curology's customized prescription acne formulas in select Walmart stores, where consumers can obtain professional skin assessments and personalized products through in-store pharmacies or online platforms. Industry analysis suggests that this partnership aligns with growing consumer demand for convenient, professional skincare, while providing a new example for prescription skincare categories entering mass retail channels, and may promote deeper integration of more DTC brands with large retailers in the health and personal care sector.