Beauty PR Firm Picks Top 2009 Trends

Pierce Mattie PR announced its top picks for 2009 trends in natural and organic cosmetics, saying that being "green" or natural would no longer be sufficient and that companies will have to focus on specific ingredients for targeted results.

Blueberry, for example, will be in more skin care products because of its high level of vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, and fatty acids.

Acai, goji berries, acerola, and baobab all have properties that make them suitable for different cosmetic applications, Pierce Mattie said. Acerola, for instance, will be used more in skin care products that target redness and inflammation because of its high vitamin C content.

Spices, too, will show up in products: The Indian spice turmeric has medicinal properties that make it suitable for several applications including hair care, sunscreen, and anti-acne. Argan oil has already become a popular anti-aging ingredient, and the resin myrrh is expected to gain in popularity as Ayurveda takes off in the US.

Cosmeceutical products will also influence ingredient trends. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3 will be marketed as a temporary alternative to cosmetic procedures, and probiotics may take a place in clinical like products.

Cosmetics Consumer More Likely to Stick With Their Faves

Just 30% of women are willing to switch their cosmetics brands, and nearly half (48%) would change what they use for personal care, like deodorant and shampoo.

In contrast, nearly 7 in 10 women said they would be okay with changing their over-the-counter medicine choice.

Brand loyalty is also weak in the food category, according to the ShopSmart survey - via Cosmetics Design. The majority of women would change their purchase habits for products like milk and eggs.

Of course, they said they would do this if it meant a cut for their household spending bill. How long will it be before the economic stress will cause them to change which cosmetics they buy?

EPA Studies Cosmetics Waste in Our Waterways

So, we know that chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products are bad for people, but we can't forget that they're bad for the environment, too!

The Environmental Protection Agency is digging in on research into fish tissue to determine how cosmetics waste is affecting American waters. Along the way, they're developing important methodology that is going to allow them to detect steroids and hormones related to personal care products and pharmaceuticals, which are also included in the study.

Hormones, you say? In the Bay Area? Not in our town... Well, think again. Apparently, 95% of San Francisco's waterways are contaminated with "hormone-disrupting substances" traced to personal care products. Eighteen of the 19 samples collected contained trace levels of at least one of the following: phthalates, bisphenol A, and triclosan, according to a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group.

No Love For Cosmetics "Superbrands"

The UK's top 500 Superbrands* list is out - and there's not a single cosmetics or toiletries brand in the top 100, reports Cosmetics Design.

Luxury brands performed the best: Estée Lauder was the closest at 120, followed by Chanel (No. 142) and Clinique (No. 195). Next came toiletries: Gillette, Wilkinson Sword and Colgate, followed by big personal care players, including Dove at 294th and Nivea at 300th. Still, a poor showing from the industry! --What's up with that?

According to a Stephen Cheliotis, the chief executive at the Centre for Brand Analysis, it is because there is a "lack of heritage and emotional attachment" that consumers hold for brands in the category. Most consumers do not associate big cosmetics brands with their childhood (like Kellogg's) or believe that they represent any kind of value system.

*A superbrand is defined as brand that has established the finest reputation in its field, offering customers significant emotional and tangible advantages over other brands, which (consciously or sub-consciously) they want and recognize.

Making a Case for Sustainable Business Practices

A global study released this week from IBM (via LOHAS) shows that businesses believe corporate social responsibility (CSR) is definitely the way to go - it's just a question of how.

Though more than half (54%) believe that CSR initiatives help give their companies a competitive advantage, and 68% were focusing on generating revenue through CSR activities, there is still a major disconnect between what the customers want - or rather, demand - and what companies are prepared to give them.

In the age of Internet, everyone has access to information, and this creates a higher sensitivity to issues of climate change, product safety, labor practices, corporate financial accountability, and the importance of giving back to the local community.

Yet...

even businesses that feel they are knowledgeable and prepared to deal with CSR issues may not be. Nearly two-thirds of companies surveyed believe they have sufficient information about the sources behind their products and services to satisfy customer concerns, but half of those admit they don't understand their customers CSR expectations well.

So, what's it gonna be? Me or the profits, stakeholders often ask. The study (pdf) concludes that you shouldn't have to choose. In making a business case for social responsibility using the value curve, they hope to strengthen their overall business strategy and do what they came out to do: make some cash, and make a difference.