The brand’s multi-functional approach to protective skin care products for men hopes to serve ‘as part of a culture shift in which skin care for men is a staple and not an afterthought.’
This year’s finalists include brands with inclusive skin care, scalp care, and sun protection products that focus on various skin types, needs, and tones.
UK Indie brand Faace has developed a daily moisturiser designed to alleviate stress with its scent profile and nourish stressed out skin with a range of actives.
Logistical challenges and energy struggles are plaguing smaller independent beauty brands such as Shakeup Cosmetics, which says it is doing as much as it can not to pass on rising costs to its consumers.
UK-headquartered indie brand TAKK is on a mission to carve out a new way of beauty consumption, minimising choice via genderless, simplified ranges via subscription.
The fragrance market was projected to be worth over $30 billion globally in 2021, and more small perfume and cologne brands are entering the fray everyday.
Irish indie brand Spotlight Oral Care is continuing to expand across Europe and the US and wants to focus future new product development on bridging the oral health and beauty gap.
Indie brand Solidu wants to deepen its retail presence across Europe and the US, but also innovate further into solid face care – a space its founder says still holds plenty of promise.
British direct-to-consumer skin care brand Facetheory has launched into the new wellness section of French department store Galeries Lafayette, its first move into brick and mortar and part of a wider shift in expansion strategy, its founder says.
Active beauty for the eye area, including care for lashes and brows, remains a largely untapped area with plenty of promise for growth, says Swedish brand Xlash Cosmetics.
Working with and mentoring startups like Clear will be key to driving change in beauty, particularly on issues like diversity, inclusion and sustainability, says L’Oréal UK & Ireland’s chief marketing officer.
Personal care major Unilever has widened the call for startups, scaleups and entrepreneurs to engage with its collaboration initiative, inviting those specialised in sustainable ingredients and packaging to join.
UK indie brand Faace is on a mission to address real consumer need states through simple, targeted products, and the company is eyeing continued expansion this year, its founder says.
Sustainable indie deo brand Wild Cosmetics has secured a flurry of major retail listings in the UK – a move it says will help refills reach new consumers and widen sustainability awareness and engagement.
UK startup above&beyond has launched a plastic-free, refillable and reusable lip balm designed to last a lifetime – a product its founders say will shakeup the fast beauty world and its plastic problem.
UK indie brand The Gruff Stuff wants to expand further internationally with its small range of no-nonsense skin care products it says offer welcome simplicity amidst an overly complicated category.
UK-based startup Chāmpo has secured funding it says will be used to drive retail growth, international expansion and NPD during an exciting and pivotal time for the hair care market.
Amazon has long been an e-commerce goliath but as it edges deeper into beauty, brands should take note, especially given its model offers a lot of what today’s consumer wants, an expert says.
Beauty major L’Oréal has signed an agreement to acquire US superfood skin care specialist Youth to the People in a move set to deepen its ethical offering in an increasingly competitive market, say experts.
D2C UK indie brand Wo Skincare wants to empower a new wave of consumers that use only what they need, when they need it – very different from traditional mass buys and trial and error routines, its founder says.
Concerns over climate change and pollution are pushing cosmetics producers to become more eco-friendly, and indie brands are well positioned to pivot towards biodegradable ingredients and packaging, says the co-founder of Indie Beauty Expo.
Personal care major Unilever has launched a collaboration initiative to partner with forward-thinking beauty startups, scaleups and entrepreneurs specialised in social commerce to drive next-generation in-house innovation across its portfolio of brands.
UK e-commerce major The Hut Group has acquired premium British online retailer Cult Beauty in a deal that forms part of an incredible digital surge in beauty and healthcare for the group, says the retail research head at Mintel.
UK startup The Fellowship has developed a line of inclusive personal care products aimed at overturning outdated masculine ideals and supporting men to take care of their health and wellbeing.
Fragrance major Firmenich has developed an AI-powered, digital tool to speed up and simplify the scent creation process for independent beauty brands and entrepreneurs, though the platform is also generating interest amongst big beauty players too, a...
UK natural skin care startup Zero by Skin Academy has expanded onto online beauty retail major Feelunique, continuing its non-D2C growth plan to upscale across multiple channels and engage mass consumers.
WATCH ON DEMAND NOW – EXCLUSIVE COSMETICSDESIGN CIRCULAR BEAUTY WEBINAR
Working in a collaborative and open way will be pivotal in industry’s push to mainstream circular beauty and future-proof business for years to come, says the founder of UK indie brand Beauty Kitchen.
Swedish eco-startup Lifelong has developed a range of powdered personal care products that need to be mixed with water by consumers and stored in durable containers, drastically overturning traditional habits, its founder says.
British indie brand Five Dot Botanics has secured listings with The Hut Group on two of its mass beauty sites Lookfantastic and Mankind – a move set to take the natural, minimalist skin care conversation mainstream, its founder says.
French direct-to-consumer (D2C) startup Typology has achieved B Corp certification just two years after launch – a move of great significance to its founder who wants to carve out a positive impact brand.
In his Indie Beauty Profile, Rajiv Chandra, CEO of Mum & You describes building a brand for both expecting and new mothers as well as for their young children. And he shares notes on the importance of having a team of employees that represents the...
Digital marketing and communications agency The Beauty Makers has launched a brand incubator to help build out future innovation-led companies in an increasingly competitive but exciting space, its founding partner says.
British male makeup brand War Paint For Men has partnered with global fashion chain Reiss in the UK and US in a move its CEO says will provide important brand exposure and capture new interest.
In her Indie Beauty Profile Ester Larrosa, Founder and Formulator at Hyalurgie, shares the background and beginning of a luxury-basics skin care brand, which she expects to resonate with consumers over 40.
UK indie skin care brand MuLondon will continue its stand for environmental and societal change, expanding slowly to drive a bigger impact in the beauty category, its founder says.
The founder of direct-to-consumer (D2C) hair care startup Chāmpo says it’s an exciting time to innovate in a category that has traditionally lacked creativity, as consumers seek out high performance, modern and visually aesthetic brands.
French direct-to-consumer cosmetics startup Typology is only 18 months old but growing up fast in a hyper-competitive cosmetics scene it has vowed to ‘demystify’ with minimalist ingredient lists and a matching genderless aesthetic.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has inspired a wave of cosmetic creators eager to develop and refine product concepts at-home, and design and engineer specialist Mayku wants to support this growth with its desktop vacuum former.
Indie men’s grooming brand Heath has secured a listing in UK retailer Boots as part of a wider national strategy to expand its range of skin care for the modern urban man.
Indie brand La Fervance has developed its first clean skin care product – a gold dust-infused facial mask targeting the luxury beauty market that it wants to take global.
Independent beauty brands are fiercely nimble and highly engaged with their consumers, which has given them power to face business difficulties during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, an indie expert says.
New York indie brand CHRŌM Toothpolish wants to take its line of coloured, glittered, glow-in-the-dark and whitening tooth polishes deeper into Europe, as it works on building an entirely new cosmetics category, its founder says.
Under the lens Part II: REACH microplastics restriction
The proposed EU restriction on microplastics is edging closer and there is now a very clear sense on how this will impact beauty and personal care, says the director-general of Cosmetics Europe.
Independent beauty brands, like big players, are lapping up the vast potential of dynamic and innovative marine ingredients, touting efficacy and sustainability along the way, say experts.
Instagram is a powerful place – the social platform where influencers hang out and filtered product placements dazzle, but brand visibility requires so much more depth, says an indie beauty expert.
Today, the Indie Beauty Media Group launched a new free online resource center called #BeautyUnites to keep independent cosmetics, personal care, and fragrance brand founders informed, inspired, and in good spirits.
It’s 2020 and natural beauty products are no longer niche or novel, but there is a long way to go before they are the new normal. Here, Cosmetics Design looks at recent industry developments in the natural and botanical space.
One month from now, the Berlin, Germany, edition of the Indie Beauty Expo will open its doors, welcoming buyers from nearly 80 retailers as well as 100s of press and influencers, brand founders, and other industry professionals.
Following the success of last year’s Indie Trail feature, the show organizers have teamed up with the online cosmetic science education venture to expand the programing and resources available to indie beauty brand leaders at this year’s edition of in-cosmetics...
In an effort to reach consumers looking for safe, effective, knowledge-based beauty, cosmetics and personal care products are being marketed as ‘friendly’. While investors and retailers are looking for a ‘beauty brand she can believe in’.
![The daily moisturiser features active and aromatherapy ingredients to tackle the effects of stress on the skin and improve mood and wellbeing [Image: Faace]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/02/28/uk-beauty-brand-faace-launches-daily-moisturiser-for-stress/16205611-2-eng-GB/UK-beauty-brand-Faace-launches-daily-moisturiser-for-stress.jpg)
![Logistical challenges and energy struggles are plaguing indie brands like Shakeup Cosmetics. [Shakeup Cosmetics]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/headlines/business-financial/indie-beauty-brands-weighed-down-by-increasing-costs-and-logistical-issues/15954104-1-eng-GB/Indie-beauty-brands-weighed-down-by-increasing-costs-and-logistical-issues.jpg)
![TAKK offers a range of simple and genderless bathroom essentials via its online subscription service, including hand soap, shower gel, toothpaste and shaving gel [Image: TAKK]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/10/28/indie-beauty-brand-takk-wants-to-tackle-choice-overload-with-essentials-range-and-subscriptions/15894155-1-eng-GB/Indie-beauty-brand-Takk-wants-to-tackle-choice-overload-with-essentials-range-and-subscriptions.jpg)
![Spotlight Oral Care offers a range of oral care products and is best-known for its teeth whitening products [Image: Spotlight Oral Care Facebook]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/business-financial/spotlight-oral-care-expansion-plans-in-europe-us-and-beauty-category/15707031-1-eng-GB/Spotlight-Oral-Care-expansion-plans-in-Europe-US-and-beauty-category.jpg)
![Solidu offers a range of zero-waste waterless, solid bars across the hair, body and face care categories [Image: SOLIDU Facebook]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/08/19/solid-beauty-brand-solidu-eyes-europe-us-expansion-for-zero-waste-products-in-hair-care-body-care-and-face-care/15698631-1-eng-GB/Solid-beauty-brand-Solidu-eyes-Europe-US-expansion-for-zero-waste-products-in-hair-care-body-care-and-face-care.jpg)
![Facetheory has launched into two Paris Galeries Lafayette stores to expand reach in Europe [Image: Facetheory]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/07/20/uk-indie-brand-facetheory-expands-into-galeries-lafayette-eyes-further-retail-expansion/15614667-1-eng-GB/UK-indie-brand-Facetheory-expands-into-Galeries-Lafayette-eyes-further-retail-expansion.jpg)
![Active skin care and cosmetic products targeting the eye area, including lashes and brows, holds plenty of innovation promise in Europe [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/brand-innovation/indie-beauty-brand-xlash-cosmetics-eyes-europe-expansion-and-future-eye-care-innovation/15595823-1-eng-GB/Indie-beauty-brand-Xlash-Cosmetics-eyes-Europe-expansion-and-future-eye-care-innovation.jpg)
![The UK 'social' skin care app enables consumers to track and share routines with other individuals, creating a “more social, transparent and inclusive” forum [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/03/25/l-oreal-uk-ireland-takes-on-clear-social-skin-care-app-into-accelerator-programme-at-the-good-business-festival/15275953-1-eng-GB/L-Oreal-UK-Ireland-takes-on-Clear-social-skin-care-app-into-accelerator-programme-at-The-Good-Business-Festival.jpg)
![Successful applicants would have the chance to kickstart innovation projects with a number of leading Unilever brands, including Dove, Rexona and Love, Beauty & Planet [Image: Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/brand-innovation/unilever-positive-beauty-growth-collaboration-platform-seeking-sustainable-startup-partners/13310242-1-eng-GB/Unilever-Positive-Beauty-Growth-collaboration-platform-seeking-sustainable-startup-partners.jpg)
![Faace offers face care products for a range of specific need states, including menstruation, menopause and tiredness [Image: Faace]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/02/07/uk-beauty-brand-faace-launches-on-lookfantastic-planet-organic-and-eyes-expansion/13221887-1-eng-GB/UK-beauty-brand-Faace-launches-on-Lookfantastic-Planet-Organic-and-eyes-expansion.jpg)
![Wild recently secured listings in Sainsbury's, Boots, Selfridges and Waitrose - important retail expansions that will help reach 'new audiences', its founder says [Image: Wild Cosmetics]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/01/07/natural-sustainable-deodorant-brand-wild-wants-refills-to-be-mass-market/13136925-1-eng-GB/Natural-sustainable-deodorant-brand-Wild-wants-refills-to-be-mass-market.jpg)
![above&beyond has launched with a small range of refillable 'lifetime' lip balms and will soon launch a refill deodorant, toothpaste tablet and hair and body range [Image: above&beyond]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/12/22/refill-lipbalm-brand-above-beyond-eyes-international-expansion-and-refill-revolution-npd/13115640-1-eng-GB/Refill-lipbalm-brand-above-beyond-eyes-international-expansion-and-refill-revolution-NPD.jpg)
![The Gruff Stuff's line of spray-on face moisturiser, spray-on body lotion and cream eye serum have been designed to intensely hydrate [Image: The Gruff Stuff]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/12/16/uk-indie-beauty-brand-the-gruff-stuff-eyes-international-expansion-with-fuss-free-skin-care/13101900-1-eng-GB/UK-indie-beauty-brand-The-Gruff-Stuff-eyes-international-expansion-with-fuss-free-skin-care.jpg)
![Chāmpo offers a range of shampoos, conditioners and hair oils made using active botanicals based on Ayurvedic principles [Image: Chāmpo]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/business-financial/ayurvedic-hair-care-brand-champo-secures-1m-pre-series-a-funding/13092572-1-eng-GB/Ayurvedic-hair-care-brand-Champo-secures-1m-pre-Series-A-funding.jpg)
![All of the benefits of Amazon, notably next-day free deliveries, are why consumers are using the platform for a range of purchases, including beauty [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/12/13/amazon-beauty-rising-fast-with-experience-led-focus-and-richer-content-offerings-says-croud/13088493-1-eng-GB/Amazon-beauty-rising-fast-with-experience-led-focus-and-richer-content-offerings-says-Croud.jpg)
![LA-based skin care brand Youth to the People offered a range of superfood-charged products, including kale, green tea and spinach cleansers and exfoliants [Image: Youth to the People]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/12/09/l-oreal-to-acquire-youth-to-the-people-in-move-set-to-strengthen-ethical-status-and-competitive-edge-in-skin-care/13081556-1-eng-GB/L-Oreal-to-acquire-Youth-to-the-People-in-move-set-to-strengthen-ethical-status-and-competitive-edge-in-skin-care.jpg)
![Wo Skincare offers a small range of daily facial care mono-dose creams and serums designed to be used as a two-step routine [Image: Wo Skincare]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/11/25/indie-beauty-brand-wo-skincare-talks-sustainability-personalisation-and-expansion-plans/13044588-1-eng-GB/Indie-beauty-brand-Wo-Skincare-talks-sustainability-personalisation-and-expansion-plans.jpg)
![Independent beauty brands are moving fast to innovate sustainably and are well placed to use biodegradable ingredients in formulations and packaging [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign.com/article/2021/10/20/zero-waste-beauty-and-biodegradable-innovation-advancing-among-indie-beauty-players/12943673-1-eng-GB/Zero-waste-beauty-and-biodegradable-innovation-advancing-among-Indie-beauty-players.jpg)
![Unilever wants to team up with innovators in the field of social commerce, specifically livestreaming, shoppable media and gaming to drive in-house innovation across its brands [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/brand-innovation/unilever-opens-submissions-for-positive-beauty-growth-startup-collaboration-platform/12883807-1-eng-GB/Unilever-opens-submissions-for-Positive-Beauty-Growth-startup-collaboration-platform.jpg)
![The Hut Group will onboard Cult Beauty's 300+ independent and emerging beauty brands by the end of the year, adding to a string of acquisitions in the beauty and healthcare space in recent years [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/08/09/the-hut-group-acquires-cult-beauty-for-275m-adding-to-its-meteoric-rise-says-mintel/12718170-1-eng-GB/The-Hut-Group-acquires-Cult-Beauty-for-275m-adding-to-its-meteoric-rise-says-Mintel.jpg)
![The Fellowship soft launched last month with a full launch scheduled for September of its natural personal care range aimed at empowering men [Image: Free The Birds/The Fellowship]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/brand-innovation/men-s-grooming-brand-the-fellowship-launches-natural-personal-care-range-and-eyes-expansion/12682339-1-eng-GB/Men-s-grooming-brand-The-Fellowship-launches-natural-personal-care-range-and-eyes-expansion.jpg)
![The Scentmate platform simplifies fragrance creation for a range of beauty products, including body care and air care, providing access to expert perfumers along the development phase [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/07/01/firmenich-scentmate-ai-fragrance-tool-aims-to-empower-indie-beauty-brands/12612473-1-eng-GB/Firmenich-Scentmate-AI-fragrance-tool-aims-to-empower-Indie-beauty-brands.jpg)
![Zero by Skin Academy offered a range of 100% natural and vegan products packaged in fully-recyclable packaging [Image: Skin Academy/Zero]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/brand-innovation/feelunique-adds-uk-natural-skin-care-startup-zero-by-skin-academy/12611447-1-eng-GB/Feelunique-adds-UK-natural-skin-care-startup-Zero-by-Skin-Academy.jpg)
