Briefing

The latest published updates from across the beauty industry.

8/20/2026, 16:37:45

Haut.AI and Grupo Boticário are rolling out AI skin analysis to nearly 4000 O Boticário stores

Haut.AI and Grupo Boticário announced the expansion of their partnership from a pilot in 24 stores to a nationwide deployment across approximately 4000 O Boticário stores in Brazil, becoming one of the largest in-store AI beauty applications globally. The collaboration began in 2023, with GB Ventures, the venture capital arm of Grupo Boticário, participating in Haut.AI's seed funding round, followed by a product testing phase. The Meu Botik system leverages AI skin analysis to assess more than 150 facial biometric indicators in approximately 80 seconds, providing personalized recommendations to beauty advisors and running directly on existing mobile devices without the need for additional hardware. The technology is trained on over 300 ten thousand clinical images and anonymizes consumer images through Haut.AI's patented Skin Atlas technology. This expansion marks the large-scale implementation of AI skin analysis from digital environments to physical retail, serving as a model for the industry.

8/19/2026, 17:03:26

Former Procter & Gamble Beauty CEO Alex Keith Appointed to Diageo Board of Directors

Diageo announced the appointment of former Procter & Gamble Beauty Chief Executive Officer R. Alexandra “Alex” Keith as a non-executive director, effective 2026 year 11 month 5 day, subject to shareholder approval. Keith has more than 35 years of experience in the international consumer goods industry, most recently serving as Chief Executive Officer of Procter & Gamble’s beauty business, where she was responsible for a large global product portfolio and drove growth through innovation, acquisitions, portfolio development, and organizational transformation. Her experience spans brand building, general management, supply chain, and consumer goods sectors in North America, Europe, and Asia. Since 2020, Keith has also served as a non-executive director at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Upon shareholder approval, she will join Diageo’s Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee. This appointment brings significant expertise in beauty and consumer brands to the Diageo board, at a time when the company is committed to enhancing competitiveness and business transformation. Keith’s experience in managing and reshaping Procter & Gamble’s global beauty portfolio is expected to provide valuable insights for addressing evolving consumer trends, accelerating innovation, and building premium global brands.

8/19/2026, 17:03:20

River Associates acquires personal care manufacturer Diamond Wipes

Private equity firm River Associates has acquired Diamond Wipes, a North American contract manufacturer of wet wipes and liquid-filled personal care products. Diamond Wipes provides end-to-end contract manufacturing services, ranging from product development, R&D formulation, manufacturing, filling, and packaging to quality testing and distribution. With facilities in California and Wisconsin, it serves brands, retailers, and distributors in the cosmetics, personal care, and other consumer goods categories. Previously held by Nolan Capital, Diamond Wipes will serve as a platform for further expansion under River Associates. The two parties plan to pursue organic investments and strategic add-on acquisitions, with potential targets including manufacturers of wet wipes, liquids, and other personal care products, as well as companies that can add new products, geographic reach, or manufacturing capabilities. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. This acquisition gives River Associates a platform in the beauty and personal care contract manufacturing market, with the opportunity to expand Diamond Wipes’ capabilities and scale through further mergers and acquisitions. For cosmetics brands, the deal also highlights private equity’s continued interest in manufacturers that offer outsourced formulation, production, and packaging capabilities.

8/19/2026, 17:03:13

CVC Capital invests 3000 hundred million won in South Korean beauty distributor Silicon2

CVC Capital Partners announced an investment of 3000 hundred million won in South Korean beauty distributor Silicon2 to support the expansion of its international logistics and distribution network. Under the agreement, CVC will acquire 667 ten thousand newly issued redeemable convertible preferred shares of Silicon2 through the special purpose vehicle Starlink Investment at a price of 45,000 won per share, resulting in a stake of approximately 9.23%. Silicon2 is a distribution platform focused on independent South Korean beauty brands, offering one-stop services including procurement, logistics, inventory management, and marketing to help small and medium-sized brands expand into overseas markets. The company's revenue reached 7492 hundred million won in the first half of this year, with the European market contributing 2493 hundred million won, and revenue from the US market growing from 805 hundred million won in the same period last year to 1350 hundred million won. Silicon2 plans to use this investment and CVC's global network to strengthen infrastructure in Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and Asia, and to further expand into Latin American and Southeast Asian markets. This investment reflects rising institutional capital interest in K-beauty export infrastructure, rather than merely betting on individual brands. Leveraging CVC's capital and consumer sector expertise, Silicon2 is expected to enhance its distribution and logistics capabilities, helping more independent South Korean beauty brands enter the global market.

8/19/2026, 17:03:06

Ulta Beauty appoints PacSun CEO Brieane Olson as a member of the board of directors

Ulta Beauty announced the appointment of PacSun CEO Brieane Olson as a member of the board of directors, effective from 2026 year 8 month 31 day. Olson has more than twenty years of experience in the specialty retail sector, covering strategic planning, brand building, omnichannel commerce, merchandising, and organizational leadership. She has served as CEO of PacSun since 2023, having previously held positions at the company including president, chief brand officer, and chief merchandising officer. Ulta Beauty stated that Olson's experience in leading consumer retail businesses to achieve growth and transformation will support the execution of the company's "Ulta Beauty Unleashed" strategy. Olson will succeed Kelly G. Garcia on the board; Garcia stepped down from her director role due to her transition to the position of Chief Technology Officer at Ulta Beauty, and the number of board members will remain at 10. This appointment aims to strengthen Ulta Beauty's expertise in specialty retail, omnichannel development, merchandising, and brand building, in order to address increasingly fierce competition in beauty retail and better attract younger consumers.

8/19/2026, 17:03:00

DSM-Firmenich proposes Richard Ridinger to succeed as Chairman, with Thomas Leysen retiring

The DSM-Firmenich Board of Directors has unanimously proposed independent director Richard Ridinger to serve as the next Chairman, succeeding Thomas Leysen, who has decided to retire. Leysen decided to retire after completing the DSM-Firmenich merger and establishing the group's strategic direction. Ridinger's appointment will be submitted for shareholder approval at the extraordinary general meeting on 2026 10 19. He possesses executive and board experience in the pharmaceuticals, home and personal care, and nutrition and health sectors, and is familiar with DSM-Firmenich as an independent director. Leysen will step down after his successor is elected; he previously led the company through its formation and integration. This leadership transition occurs as DSM-Firmenich emerges from the post-merger integration phase, with the sale of its Animal Nutrition & Health business nearing completion, the Executive Committee updated, and margin improvement initiatives underway. This proposal marks DSM-Firmenich's shift from integration to execution. Ridinger's experience in innovation-driven businesses, including personal care, and his familiarity with the group are intended to provide continuity for DSM-Firmenich as it focuses on strategic execution, enhances margins, and drives the next stage of growth.

8/18/2026, 15:06:36

K-beauty expands its overseas retail footprint: Beauty of Joseon and Amorepacific enter the Australian and Indian markets

South Korean beauty brands are accelerating their diversified layout in global markets. According to The Korea Economic Daily, emerging brand Beauty of Joseon and established company Amorepacific have recently entered the Australian and Indian markets respectively, expanding retail channels through local supermarkets and online platforms. This move reflects the further penetration of K-beauty beyond traditional markets in Europe, the United States, and Asia, aiming to seize growth opportunities in emerging markets. Industry analysts believe that as global demand for K-beauty continues to rise, South Korean cosmetics exports are expected to hit new highs. This channel expansion will enhance the international visibility of brands and may drive more K-beauty companies to follow suit, intensifying competition in overseas markets.

8/18/2026, 15:06:17

Latest Beauty Executive Changes at Ulta Beauty, Kosas, and Other Companies

The beauty industry has recently seen a series of executive personnel changes. Ulta Beauty has appointed Kelly Garcia as Chief Technology Officer, effective from 8 month 31 day. Garcia has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Domino's Pizza since 2012, and has been a member of the Ulta board of directors since 2022; she will resign from her board position upon assuming the new role. The Estée Lauder Companies has appointed Madeleine Boyd as Senior Vice President of Global Brand Communications; she previously served as Senior Vice President of Beauty and Health at Together Group in the United Kingdom, and will lead the global brand communications team and strengthen creator engagement. In addition, Leigh Winters Silberstein has joined ILabs as Vice President of Product Development and Marketing; she previously worked at Mana Products. Pressed Juicery has appointed Tina Reejsinghani as Chief Marketing Officer; she previously held senior positions at companies such as Reed's and Pernod Ricard. Kosas has appointed Shannon Henschel as Vice President of Global Brand; she previously served as Director of Brand Marketing at Versed. M.pH Beauty has appointed Kira Jackson as Chief Marketing Officer; she previously served as Chief Brand Officer at Set Active. These changes reflect the beauty industry's ongoing talent deployment in the areas of technology, brand communications, and marketing.

8/18/2026, 15:06:04

Oriflame appoints former L'Oréal executive Kenneth Benaim Campbell as Chief Executive Officer

Swedish-founded cosmetics company Oriflame announced the appointment of Kenneth Benaim Campbell as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Anna Malmhake, who stepped down after three years in the role. Campbell has 27 years of senior leadership experience at L'Oréal, where he was responsible for operations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and most recently served as President of Lipton Tea & Beverages for Europe and North America. Oriflame stated that Campbell is known for his exceptional people leadership, international experience, consumer orientation, and track record of driving growth and transformation. He will be responsible for strengthening the business, supporting beauty entrepreneurs, accelerating transformation, and achieving sustainable long-term growth. Campbell said he was attracted by Oriflame's unique entrepreneurial model, beauty heritage, and global community of entrepreneurs. Board Chair Robert Bensoussan described him as an "outstanding international leader" with deep industry expertise and a strong record in brand building, talent development, and performance delivery. This appointment comes as Oriflame approaches its 60 anniversary, with the company focusing on business strengthening and transformation. During her tenure, Anna Malmhake successfully completed refinancing and made significant progress in business strengthening and transformation.

8/12/2026, 21:04:15

L'Oréal and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore have entered into a multi-year strategic collaboration, focusing on longevity science and research on skin health and aging.

The L'Oréal Group and the Healthy Longevity Institute at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, have established a multi-year strategic research partnership aimed at advancing longevity science and studying the role of skin in healthy aging. This collaboration will combine L'Oréal's expertise in skin and hair science with the National University of Singapore Faculty of Medicine's knowledge in gerontology and healthy longevity medicine, leveraging longevity research and clinical trials to uncover new insights into how skin contributes to "enhancing quality of life from the outside in." The research findings will be integrated into L'Oréal's "Integrated Longevity Science" framework, providing a basis for developing evidence-based long-term health interventions for skin, scalp, and hair. Dr. Angeline Tay, Head of Advanced Research at the L'Oréal Singapore Research & Innovation Center, stated that if skin signs can serve as meaningful indicators of whole-body aging, then skin measurements would not only reflect appearance but could also become early signals of internal bodily changes; this hypothesis warrants years of rigorous evidence-based research and is central to L'Oréal's commitment to shifting aging science toward prevention. As part of the collaboration, both parties will establish a joint laboratory focused on studying how skin, scalp, and hair reveal information about bodily aging, directly linking skin data with health indicators from systems such as cardiovascular, metabolic, cognitive, and musculoskeletal. Professor Andrea Maier, Founding Dean of the Healthy Longevity Institute at the National University of Singapore Faculty of Medicine, pointed out that skin is an underutilized window in the biology of aging, and this collaboration will integrate advanced skin assessments into clinical trials, combining them with biomarkers of biological aging across multiple organ systems, thereby deepening the understanding of how skin reflects and promotes healthy aging. This partnership is expected to drive scientific innovation in the beauty industry in the fields of anti-aging and healthy aging, laying the foundation for personalized skincare solutions and next-generation product development.

8/12/2026, 21:04:05

British niche perfume brand Vyrao is reportedly on the verge of completing its sale

According to fashion business media BoF, citing sources familiar with the matter, British niche perfume brand Vyrao, founded by Yasmin Sewell in 2021, is close to finalizing a sale. Existing investor Manzanita and Waldencast, the parent company of Milk Makeup, are reportedly in discussions regarding the transaction. Vyrao is known for its unisex perfumes containing Herkimer diamond crystals, claiming to help clear chakras and promote the flow of spiritual energy; its signature products include Witchy Woo, launched in 2021. The brand previously received investment in 2023 from NIV, the new incubation investment arm under the Estée Lauder Companies, to strengthen marketing and support retail partners in the United States, Australia, and Japan. Vyrao initially debuted at Selfridges in the United Kingdom and has since expanded to channels such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Liberty London, Browns, and Mecca. If the sale is completed, it may affect the brand's independent development path and existing channel layout, with the industry paying attention to the trend of consolidation in niche perfume assets.

8/12/2026, 21:03:56

Kolmar Korea's operating profit in the second quarter reached 1103 hundred million Korean won, setting a new historical high.

Kolmar Korea recently announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2026, achieving sales of 8613 hundred million Korean won and an operating profit of 1103 hundred million Korean won, representing year-on-year increases of 50.2% and 68.9% respectively, with operating profit hitting a record high. The company stated that the significant growth in performance was mainly driven by the overall expansion of the K-beauty industry, the accelerated overseas deployment of independent brands, and the entry of sunscreen products into their seasonal peak. Cumulative sales and profits in the first half of the year also saw substantial growth, reflecting strong global demand for Korean beauty products and manufacturing services. As a leading cosmetic ODM enterprise in South Korea, Kolmar's surge in performance further confirms the core position of K-beauty in the global industrial chain and has injected confidence into upstream supply chains and downstream brand owners.

8/12/2026, 21:03:48

QVC completes Chapter 11 restructuring and emerges from bankruptcy after reducing debt by $50 billion.

QVC Group announced that it has completed Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring, reducing its debt by approximately $50 billion, providing greater financial flexibility for the retailer's transition to streaming, social commerce, and digital retail. Under the restructuring plan, QVC issued $13 billion in new debt to creditors and obtained a $6 billion asset-backed credit facility from investors such as Strategic Value Partners and Oaktree Capital. The company's common stock has been approved for resumed trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol QVCG, with the specific date yet to be announced. QVC filed for bankruptcy in April of this year (4), when its liabilities amounted to approximately $66 billion, mainly affected by declining viewership and user churn in the traditional television shopping model. Although preferred shareholders objected and their shares were ultimately wiped out, the restructuring plan was still approved by the court. This debt reduction enables QVC to accelerate investment in content-driven e-commerce channels, which is increasingly important for beauty brands seeking to reach consumers through content.

8/12/2026, 21:03:27

Natura's second-quarter revenue was weighed down by Brazil, while the Spanish-speaking Americas market accelerated its growth.

Natura released its financial report for the second quarter of 2026, with revenue amounting to 52 hundred million Brazilian reais. The domestic Brazilian market faced pressure due to product supply issues, temporary tax mismatches, and a weak consumer environment. However, driven by the recovery in Mexico and Argentina, the Spanish-speaking Americas region achieved a 7.2% growth at constant exchange rates, with the Natura brand growing by 12.3% and Avon by 4.7%. Consolidated EBITDA reached 6.2 hundred million reais, with a profit margin of 12%, representing a sequential improvement of 470 basis points. To boost performance in Brazil in the second half of the year, Natura is adjusting its supply chain, launching sales incentives, accelerating store openings, and expanding digital platforms. The company stated it will continue to invest in marketing, research and development, and digital innovation. Brazil remains its key market, while the accelerated growth in the Spanish-speaking Americas indicates that the new operating model is yielding results.

8/12/2026, 21:03:22

Shares of South Korean ODM companies Kolmar, Cosmax, and COSMECCA surged due to record-breaking profits.

Shares of South Korean cosmetics original design manufacturers (ODMs) rose sharply on Monday, mainly driven by a surge in shipments from the K-beauty industry to independent beauty brands. Recent financial reports released by companies such as Kolmar, Cosmax, and COSMECCA showed record-breaking profits, boosting investor confidence. Behind this growth is the fact that after South Korean independent beauty brands established their foothold in the global market, they increased domestic marketing and distribution efforts, turning South Korean stores into global showrooms to strengthen brand image rather than simply boost local revenue. Meanwhile, Cosmax signed an agreement in 2026 year 2 month to acquire a 51% stake in the Italian cosmetics company Keminova, further expanding its global footprint. Industry analysts believe that as major U.S. retailers such as Target and Amazon expand their K-beauty product lines, and South Korean cosmetics manufacturers accelerate their entry into emerging markets such as the Middle East and Latin America, ODM companies will continue to benefit from strong global demand for South Korean beauty products. This surge in share prices reflects the market's optimistic expectations for the core links of the K-beauty supply chain, and also highlights the strategic position of the ODM model in the rapidly changing global beauty industry.

8/11/2026, 21:51:18

Incorrect declaration code for imported raw materials, Cosmax, the OEM factory for Estée Lauder and L'Oréal, was fined 10.05 ten thousand yuan

Recently, Shanghai Fengxian Customs announced an administrative penalty decision. Cosmax (China) Cosmetics Co., Ltd. was fined 10.05 ten thousand yuan for failing to declare legally inspected imported goods in accordance with the law. Investigation revealed that from 2022 year 8 month to 2024 year 1 month, the company imported multiple batches of cosmetic raw materials under general trade, with incorrect declared commodity code classification, resulting in legally required inspection raw materials being put into use without declaration. The involved goods value was approximately 143.5 ten thousand yuan. Cosmax is a leading global cosmetics ODM enterprise, serving international brands such as Estée Lauder and L'Oréal, as well as domestic brands like CHANDO. In the first quarter of 2026, its sales in China increased by 20% year-on-year. This penalty exposes loopholes in the compliance management of imported raw materials by leading OEM factories, may trigger downstream brands' attention to supply chain stability, and prompt the industry to strengthen inspection and quarantine declaration review. Considering the enterprise's admission of fault and acceptance of penalty, as well as its proactive payment of guarantee, the customs imposed a lighter penalty in accordance with the law.

8/11/2026, 21:51:03

Cosmax's second-quarter sales and operating profit hit record highs, with its U.S. subsidiary posting a profit for the first time

South Korean cosmetics ODM company Cosmax announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2026, reporting sales of 7949 hundred million won and operating profit of 737 hundred million won, setting a quarterly record. Benefiting from the continued global expansion of K-beauty independent brands, sales at its South Korean subsidiary exceeded 5000 hundred million won for the first time, while its U.S. subsidiary also achieved operating profitability for the first time, marking a key breakthrough in its North American business. During the same period, its Chinese and Southeast Asian subsidiaries both achieved synchronous growth, further consolidating the company's leading position in the global cosmetics contract manufacturing sector. These results reflect strong global demand for Korean cosmetic research and development and production capabilities, providing positive support for Cosmax's future capacity planning and customer expansion.

8/11/2026, 16:48:23

APR sets a record in the second quarter, with cosmetics revenue surging 186%

South Korean beauty group APR announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2026, with revenue reaching 7675 hundred million won, a year-on-year increase of 134.2%, operating profit rising 134.5% to 1906 hundred million won, and an operating profit margin of 24.8%, all hitting record highs. The cosmetics business has become the core growth engine, with revenue soaring 185.5% year-on-year to 6483 hundred million won, driven by demand for core products and new launches. Overseas revenue grew 178%, accounting for 92% of total revenue. North American market revenue increased 264.6% to 3763 hundred million won through expansion via Target and Walmart, with plans to enter Costco in the second half of the year; European market revenue grew 380.3% to 1451 hundred million won, marking the first time APR reported Europe as a separate region. The group's revenue in the first half reached 1.36 trillion won, nearly matching the full-year sales of 2025. This performance highlights the accelerated global expansion of South Korean beauty companies, with North America and Europe emerging as key growth markets, where strong cosmetics demand, e-commerce growth, and expansion into mainstream retail channels are jointly driving APR to build a more balanced global distribution network.

8/11/2026, 16:48:14

FDA plans to require food manufacturers to notify GRAS ingredients, filling a decades-long regulatory loophole

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a long-awaited plan to require food manufacturers to notify the agency when using ingredients that are "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS). The move aims to close a regulatory loophole that has existed for decades, allowing manufacturers to add certain chemicals to products without notifying the national food regulator. According to a study in 3 of this year, at least 111 substances of unknown safety have been used in food, beverages, and supplements sold in the U.S. without informing the FDA. Currently, companies must prove the safety of new food ingredients through recognized scientific evidence, but submitting data to the FDA is voluntary, and manufacturers can self-determine that their ingredients are safe. The proposed rule is seen as a major victory for the "Make America Healthy Again" movement in food reform, praised by leaders including U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. FDA Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantis said the rule provides a blueprint for effective operation by FDA regulators, responsible industry, and consumer safety advocates. Meanwhile, Congress is advancing legislation to grant the FDA more authority to require post-market studies of certain food additives. The proposal could have far-reaching effects on the food industry, promoting stricter ingredient transparency and safety assessment.

8/11/2026, 16:48:06

Korean beauty giants accelerate their exit from China, while Amorepacific and LG Household & Health Care report double-digit profit growth

South Korean beauty giants Amorepacific Group and LG Household & Health Care both achieved double-digit profit growth in the second quarter of 2026, primarily driven by strong demand in North American and European markets, while revenue from the Chinese market continued to decline. Amorepacific Group's revenue increased by 14.6% year-on-year to 1.25 trillion won, and operating profit surged by 53.3% to 1228 hundred million won; its overseas operating profit nearly doubled, with significant sales growth in the United States, Europe, and Japan. LG Household & Health Care's operating profit rose sharply by 87.5% year-on-year to 1028 hundred million won, with North American revenue in its beauty division jumping by 47.3% to 2058 hundred million won, surpassing the 1760 hundred million won from the Chinese market for the first time in history. The market rebalancing strategies pursued by both companies over many years are showing results, as Amorepacific has reduced the share of its China business from 54% in 2019 to 23% in 2024. Meanwhile, Korean beauty brands are accelerating their expansion in the United States through retail partnerships such as Ulta Beauty and Sephora, but increasingly crowded shelves in the U.S. market are prompting companies to turn their attention to emerging markets to consolidate their global position. Olive Young plans to introduce nearly 20 new brands to Sephora, further promoting the globalization of Korean beauty.

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8/12/2026, 21:04:15

L'Oréal and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore have entered into a multi-year strategic collaboration, focusing on longevity science and research on skin health and aging.