COSMOFACTORY

Quality and exclusivity are the defining characteristics of luxury. As beauty consumer values shift, so to do the product, packaging, and promotional attributes that signal luxury. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about the challenges and changes that are shaping luxury brand strategy today. Our guest is Dawn Hilarczyk, Chief Operating Officer at Borghese Inc., a legacy skincare brand based in the US. Founded in 1957, the privately held brand is well known in Asia and the States, and is selectively expanding globally. Borghese specializes in Italian heritage skin and body care; a mud ma...

Longevity is a movement because consumers understand that with the right skincare, nutrition, and lifestyle choices better ageing is possible.  

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about pro-ageing product claims, microbiome and exosome science, the importance of consumer education, and more. Our guest is Richard Purvis, CEO of SkinModerne, a US-based beauty maker dedicated to skin wellness for both the consumer market and for the professional beauty sector. Purvis brings his background in sports nutrition and nutritional supplements to the topical skincare category, focusing on biocompatible ingredient selection and efficacies that are as much about n...

Fine fragrance, body mists, hair fragrance, and other scented cosmetics and personal care products have conventionally been blended with alcohol. As consumer expectations and regulatory protocols change, water-based fragrance is becoming more popular and fragrance scientists are working to meet demand. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we find out about water-based fragrance creation tech and how perfumers and chemists are solving for miscibility and solubility of fragrance molecules, percentages and selection of raw materials, pairing products and applicators, visual clarity, tactile experience, and more. Our guests are Perfumer Arnaud Winter and Account Manager Pedro da...

In color cosmetics, product function is the priority. Creating a makeup brand that looks and feels expressive, statement making, and attuned to consumer preferences is nearly—if not equally—as important.

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we open a conversation about makeup, neuromarketing, creative packaging design, brand loyalty, niche product benefits, and so much more. Our guest is Anna Blasco Salvat, Vice President of Marketing at ARTDECO Cosmetic Group. She’s also the Creative Director of that company’s ARTDECO makeup brand. This Germany-based business was founded in 1985 and comprises the consumer brand ARTDECO, a nail co...

AI helps cosmetic and personal care brands conduct social listening analysis, identify and respond to trends, personalize product recommendations, support retail service teams, and so much more. Multinationals that own numerous brands and serve markets around the world use AI tech to do all of this at scale and at a very fast pace. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we take a closer look at how AI—augmented intelligence—is being used to keep pace with beauty consumer trends globally. Our guest is Kalindi Mehta, Global Vice President of Consumer Foresight & Predictive Analytics at The Es...

In the transition to a circular economy, can the cosmetics and personal care sector step into a leadership role among CPG industries? 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, our guest is Jo-Anne Chidley, Founder of Beauty Kitchen and Reposit—a entrepreneur who is fully confident that, by engaging stakeholders from the supply chain through to the end consumer, the beauty industry can model meaningful change. She launched the Beauty Kitchen skincare and body care brand in 2014 to “create the most effective, natural, and sustainable beauty products in the world.” And she subsequently created Reposit, a packa...

The business of fragrance creation is an artistic business. Nevertheless, opportunities to enhance the perfumery and scented personal care product creation process through digital engagement, and with consumer and market data, are significant. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about the work of a fragrance evaluator and the advantages of an intelligent perfumery platform. Our guest is Federica Libralon, Fragrance Development Manager at Scentmate by dsm-firmenich, an online platform launched in 2021 as a resource to brand leaders and beauty entrepreneurs. It allows users to create a brief, collaborate with a fragrance development t...

Local cosmetic ingredient supply chains, local brand leadership, and local beauty tech are all on the rise in the East African nation of Kenya—a country known for its entrepreneurial spirit. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn how one of Kenya’s leading cosmetic brand executives is shaping and inspiring the future of beauty both within and outside of that country. Our guest is Suzie Wokabi, CEO of O’Bao, a plant-based skincare brand founded in 2015 by Amisha Patel. Wokabi is also the Founder of SB Dada, a digitally forward cosmetics brand reachin...

The familiar gesture of pencils have made this classic component format a mainstay in beauty. Pencils, as well as pens and crayons, are at once fun and functional. But given the pace of change and the importance of sustainability in our industry, they are also forever evolving. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider how nuanced the materials, production, and formulation are that go into to making of these deceptively simple makeup and treatment applicators. Our guest is Christian Eisen, Vice President of Global Sales & Innovation Faber-Castell Cosmetics. The Germany-based company was founded i...

Our industry’s sustainable transformation is a work in progress. Every sort of stakeholder, from raw material suppliers to beauty consumers to waste management specialists, is involved. To make it all happen there is an ongoing cycle of assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and reciprocal improvement. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about the tools and tactics that multinational cosmetic and personal care companies are using to better their businesses and the planet. Our guest is Emmanuel Hembert, Global Lead for Cosmetics, Personal Care, and Pharma at Quantis. The Switzerland-based global management con...

The forest floor is rich in microbial life, which is one reason why exposure to nature is so beneficial. And new science shows that those microbes, even when inactivated, have remarkable skincare benefits, particularly for sensitive skin and atopic conditions. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn about the skincare benefits of being in contact with nature, and with soil microbes in particular. Our guest is Iida Mäkelä, Product Director of Uute Scientific Oy, a spin-out company established in 2019 that originated from the Autoimmune Defense and Living Environment (ADELE) project started in 2015 at...

With ecommerce comes unparalleled access to data—to fragrance and beauty consumer behavior insights from every market around the world. Which is how digital-forward companies are building brands that meet consumer expectations in real-time, in the very moments and markets where opportunity exists. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider the potential that a digital, trends-based business strategy has to impact the fragrance category and to reach perfume lovers at every market tier. Our guest is Namita Shrivastava, General Manager of BellaVita. This company got its start in India in 2018 and is today cre...

It’s normal now for cosmetic and personal care product manufacturers to incorporate environmental sustainability into their processes. Part of the challenge is deciding what to focus on, and how to prove and talk about green claims. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about the complexity of the beauty industry’s sustainable future. Our guest is Iveta Kovacova, Research Director at Ecovia Intelligence, a research and consulting company founded in 2001 that caters to both the cosmetics and food industries with an emphasis on organic, fair trade, and natural products as well as on su...

In the cosmetics industry, product development directly impacts formulation efficacy, consumer retention, and brand value. Which is why R&D leaders today need not only scientific knowledge but also skills including strategic thinking, scenario planning, and (especially within SMEs) a shared accountability with other business units. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we explore product creation, raw material selection, and brand differentiation with our guest Jeff Rosevear, Head of R&D at Trinny London. Founded in 2017, the brand began in the color cosmetics category but has since expanded beyond makeup into skincare. And Trinny L...

Scent transports us. It recalls memories, evokes emotions, invites connection among cultures, and propels us to places both real and imagined. Growing a global business around something so powerful and so invisible requires both passion and acumen.

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn about the business and nuance of fragrance made in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Our guest is Ralph Bou Nader, General Manager of Arabian Oud International, a fragrance manufacturer and retailer formally established in 1982 that is today not only creating unique perfumes with signature natural ingredients (as well as inputs f...

The longevity movement is an opportunity and a challenge for beauty makers. The age range of cosmetic consumers has expanded tremendously in recent years, making messaging and product development more complex than ever. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider the implications of catering to cosmetic and personal care consumers across the generations—in Gen Alpha, Gen X, and every age group in between and beyond. Our guest is Mallory Huron, Director of Beauty and Wellness at Fashion Snoops, a global trend forecasting agency based in New York City, specialized in helping consumer-facing companies resp...

Ingredient discovery and scale up is time consuming, expensive, and competitive. Tech tools like AI are helping suppliers minimize the risks and bring truly new beauty benefits to consumers. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn more about AI along the cosmetic industry supply chain. Our guest is Lucile Bonnin, Head of Personal Care at Cambrium, a Berlin, Germany – based biotech research company specialized in molecular design. Cambrium was established in 2020; and already, consumer products formulated with the company’s first AI-designed protein are available in the US and Europe.

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It takes time to build a heritage beauty brand—a lot of time. But every brand starts somewhere; and the early years and founder’s vision go a long way toward building trust and an emotional connection with consumers. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we talk about indie beauty with Sandra Velasquez, Founder of the Modern Mexican brand Nopalera. Based in New York City, and established in 2020, Nopalera is a personal care and lifestyle brand comprising products in bath and body care, hair care, fragrance, home fragrance, and more. Sandra draws in...

Revenue figures are up; men in the US are buying skincare and hair care as well as makeup and complexion products more than ever before. They are more informed and more interested in beauty care ingredients and product efficacy too. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn about the growing men’s beauty sector from our guest Dominique Petruzzi, Consumer Goods and Retail Research Expert at STATISTA. The market data, visualization, and research company is based in Germany and provides clients with not only market insights but also consumer insights, ecommerce insights, and more acro...

Digital technologies, from red light therapy to skin and hair analysis to AI and blockchain, are shifting beauty consumer expectations, retail experiences, and demand planning along the supply chain.

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about a variety of digital tech that’s impacting the cosmetics and personal care industry now and in the near future. Our guest is Robin Raskin, Founder of Virtual Events Group. Robin is a veteran of the tech industry, an events consultant, and former magazine editor. She is expert in the areas of virtual innovation and high-tech across consumer industries, in...

Retail touchpoints for cosmetic and personal care brands today extend well beyond stores with doors and conventional print and outdoor advertising. Beauty brands are reaching consumers in experiential and engaging ways with the help of digital ad tech firms.

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about imaginative ways that brands are connecting with and educating consumers on the platforms, apps, sites, forums, etc. where they are already spending their time online. Our guest is Val Vacante, VP of Solution Innovation at the integrated marketing, public relations, and advertising firm Dentsu. Based in Tokyo, J...

Cosmetic and personal care brands draw inspiration and ingredients from every corner of the globe. And there is something to be gained by meeting people and experiencing places that are at the source of the products our industry is creating for consumers. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider the value of travel and cultural immersion. Our guest is Stephanie Flor, Founder of the specialty travel company Around the World Beauty and author of The Global Beauty Journey: One Traveler’s Exploration of Ritual, Culture, and Beauty Around the World. Stephanie is dedicated to adva...

Beauty consumers and ingredient makers alike are eager to discover how products can impact mood and act on the skin-brain axis, which is why neurocosmetics is a trend worth watching. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we survey brand innovations, ingredient research, formulation textures, packaging design, and retail strategy—all within the realm of neurocosmetics. Our guest is Melissa Hago, long-time beauty and wellness trend forecaster. Her work exposes her to global cultural movements, consumer behavior, and key shifts in beauty and wellness. Melissa is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology and holds a ce...

Rainforest conservation is an under-leveraged opportunity when it comes to cosmetic and personal care ingredient sourcing. There are however, ambitious suppliers working to ensure that sustainable wild harvesting is not only environmentally beneficial and economically feasible but also a reliable source of high-quality effective beauty care ingredients. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about the wild forest economy and how international collaborations are helping bring novel ingredients to market—ingredients that benefit both consumers and the planet. Our guest is Camilo Bueno, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Cary-O, a company based in Colombia, founded in 2...

Demand for bio-based and bio-degradable cosmetic ingredients is at an all-time high, which is why suppliers are working to develop replacements for conventional polymers, esters, and emollients like silicones.

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about one multinational supplier intent on inventing high-volume sustainable ingredients. Our guest is Johannes Crotogino, Sustainable Innovation Platform Lead at BASF Personal Care. The Germany-based company was established in 1865 and is, today, the world’s largest chemical maker, serving industries including automotive, paints and coatings, electronics, plastics, textiles, home care, personal care, and more. 

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Sustainability is driving innovation and new business models in the cosmetics and personal care industry. And tools that measure progress toward truly circular beauty are increasingly useful for decision making and communication. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we find out how climate data platforms are helping beauty makers measure their impact and move toward a circular business model. Our guest is Alain Mavon, Group Vice President of R&D and Sustainability at LUMENE Group, a company established in 1970 and headquartered in Espoo, Finland. Today, the company (which develops and manufactures finished goods) comprises t...

Hair treatment products that provide UV protection, pollution protection, and help prevent hair damage caused by these and other environmental aggressors are getting more sophisticated. Contract manufacturers, raw material suppliers, and clinical testing labs are all contributing to this next generation of hair care. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we discover where the ideas for hair care innovations originate and how R&D professionals create products with novel benefits. Our guests are Claudia Silva, R&D Director at Colep Consumer Products. and Paola Meroni, that same company’s Head of Marketing. Founded in Por...

Creating a beauty brand and crafting a product line takes a lot of work. What comes next—ensuring that your brand resonates with the market and generates revenue—is perhaps even more challenging. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we explore market readiness and how indie beauty brand leaders can be ready to meet with retail buyers and begin to build the relationships that will unlock success in the marketplace. Our guest is Adrienne Kramer, CEO and Founder of ProBeauty Partners, a US–based business consultancy that’s been working with emerging brands for nearly 15. 

Animal cell culture technologies have clear applications in the food industry as well as in research and testing. But at least one ingredient innovator sees the cosmetic ingredient potential of fish cell culture tech.

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about a new animal-friendly method of skincare ingredient development. Our guest is Carrie Chan, Co-Founder and CEO of Avant. With operations in both Singapore and Hong Kong, Avant (established in 2018) has created a bioplatform called Zellulin and is producing skincare ingredients that comprise both functional and signaling proteins. Having gathered seed-cells one time f...

Creating a makeup brand that stands out and scales in the highly competitive (and some would say saturated) beauty marketplace takes vision, tenacity, and flexibility. Indie beauty brands and startups face a lot of challenges. And yet, it seems there is always room for success in our industry.  

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn about the business behind brand extensions; the effort required to meet retailer expectations and keep pace with a rapid product launch cycle; as well as the importance of an engaged social media community. Our guest is Claudia Norvina Soare, Pr...

Wellness is top of mind for consumers today. And some are turning to essential oils and cosmetic aromatherapy to find beauty benefits, emotional benefits, physical health benefits, and more.  

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider the skincare benefits of aromatherapy, how the practice is linked to Traditional Korean Medicine, and why essential oils and their mechanism of action make the practice of aromatherapy what it is (and distinct from the pleasing scents of synthetic aroma chemicals). Our guest is Young-ok Bok, CEO of Mesacosa Co Ltd. The Korea-based company, established in 2005, includes two co...

The ethical commercialization of non-timber products can help preserve standing forests and biodiversity; support local workers; and bring sought-after benefits to cosmetic product formulations.

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we’re learning about wild-harvesting of Illipe butter and other butters, oils, and sugars with skincare, hair care, and personal care applications. Our guest is Dirk-Jan Oudshoorn, Founder and CEO of Forestwise, a Netherlands-based company established in 2018 that works closely with communities in Indonesia to develop a viable economy and help stop deforestation.

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The cosmetics industry in Indonesia is growing exponentially. And one legacy producer is making a noteworthy impact across Indonesia, throughout Asia, and globally—because of its well-known brands, novel bioactive ingredients, extensive research partnerships, a broad retail presence, and more. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we gain insight into Indonesia’s market conditions, regional trends, and the power and potential of Indonesia’s biodiversity as well as that of the country’s business leaders. Our guest is Dr Kilala Tilaar, Owner and CEO of the Martha Tilaar Group. Now an impressively horizontally integrated company with globa...

Bacteriophage technology is being used to address acne, eczema, and other dysbiotic skin concerns. Some microbiology companies are working with endolysins (proteins produced by phages), others are focused on formulating skincare with phages themselves. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider possible cosmetic industry applications for bacteriophage technology. Our guest is Milan Bunata, Business Director of FagoFarma, a biotech company specialized in phage-based preparations for use in the cosmetics, pharma, and veterinary industries. Based in the Czech Republic, FagoFarma was established in 2013. And this year, in an effort to both educate consumers about phage-based sk...

Africa has the world’s youngest and second-largest population. The continent is also seeing rapid urban growth. And in terms of cosmetic and personal care products, skincare is performing well. All of these are reasons why beauty makers of every size—including L'Oréal—are targeting consumers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about L’Oréal’s go-to-market strategy in the SSA regions. Our guest is Yara Mansour, a General Manager in the Professional Products Division at L'Oréal, where she is responsible for both Worldwide Niche Expansions and the Sub-Sa...

Longevity, skin vitality, and regenerative beauty are very in vogue. Both legacy beauty makers and inventive startup brands are working with the latest science and skincare ingredients to bring new benefits to consumers. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about a proprietary skincare ingredient borrowed directly from the world of regenerative medicine. Our guest is Alec Batis, CEO and Co-Founder of Sweet Chemistry Skincare. The US-based prestige brand, launched in 2023, is leveraging technology developed by Xylix Bio as part of that biomedical company's work with organ tissue regeneration. In our interview, Batis shares ho...

Bathing and wellness are as mainstream today as personal care is. CPG brands that invite consumers into an immersive self-care routine, that formulate with culturally traditional ingredients, and that bring therapeutic benefits to bath time are winning in the global marketplace. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we discover the world of Japanese bath culture. Our guest is Takeshi Nobuhara, Founder and CEO of Shikohin—which translates to ‘indulgence’ in English and as Nobuhara explains, “is not something you need to survive but something you need to enrich your life.” The brand launched in mid-2022 and comprise...

In the beauty industry, water conservation is everyone’s business. And for even one brand to launch one product that moves things forward, it’s a collective effort—involving ingredient tech, manufacturing processes, and packaging design along with feedback from consumers and salon professionals. 

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we’re learning about an eco-chic powder-to-lather shampoo. Our guest is Stephane Farsht, CEO and Co-Founder of a newly launched professional hair care brand called Small Wonder. This US-based brand is dedicated to advancing the performance of hair care and treatment products while simultaneously helping the cosmet...

Behind every well-executed cosmetic or personal care brand, you’ll find an abundance of resourcefulness and research—which translate into winning formulations, manufacturing operations, marketing strategies, and retailer partnerships.

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we think about brand building through a very contemporary beauty industry lens, where ESG, traceability, brand incubators, conscious beauty, and founder mentorship are as significant as supply chain partnerships and innovations. Our guest is Lorne Lucree, Founder of Quiet Coyote Consulting and a member of the Conscious Beauty Advisory Council at specialty retailer Ulta Beauty. Lucree launched his consultancy this year...

Color cosmetic product performance is as in demand as skincare efficacy. To meet beauty consumer expectations, it takes careful ingredient development and selection, along with creative formulation and innovative production methods.

This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we’re learning about the behind-the-scenes ingenuity that’s necessary to improve the formulations and functions of cosmetic powders, eye makeup, lip color, and more! Our guest is Arabella Ferrari, Group Chief Innovation Officer at Intercos, an industry leader in the development and manufacturing of cosmetics. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Agrate, just northeast of  Milan, Italy, Intercos works...