in-conversation with ...

Innovating Skincare – The Future of Beauty in 2025

Redefining Skincare Innovation

In this episode of the Global Cosmetics News Podcast, host Siobhan Murphy explores the latest breakthroughs, challenges, and consumer trends shaping the future of skincare innovation. With insights from top industry experts, we uncover why skincare innovation is slowing down despite growing consumer demand and how biotechnology, sustainability, and advanced testing methods are transforming formulations.

Expert Panel:

🎙 Harald van der Hoeven – Director of Product Design & Development, CLR Berlin

🎙 Dr. Carol Treasure – Founder & CEO, XCellR8

🎙 Dr. Tiina Meder – CEO & Founder, Meder Beauty

Key Highlights

📈 Consumer Shifts: The Rise of Skin Health & Longevity

• The demand for barrier-focused skincare and longevity-enhancing formulations continues to grow.
• Consumers seek science-backed, values-driven brands with transparency in ingredients and ethics.
• The influence of Asian beauty trends is reshaping global skincare innovation.

🔬 The Science of Skincare: Biotechnology & AI in Formulations

• Biotechnology innovations, such as precision fermentation and bio-mimicry, are driving next-gen skincare solutions.
• AI-powered tools are helping brands offer personalized skincare and diagnostics for improved efficacy.
• New testing methodologies are ensuring safer, more effective products without animal testing.

🌿 Sustainability in Skincare: Progress or Setback?

• Greenwashing vs. Real Sustainability – The challenge of eco-friendly packaging, carbon footprints, and ethical sourcing.
• The shift towards locally sourced ingredients to reduce environmental impact.
• The rise of concentrated formulations that reduce overconsumption and waste.

⚖️ Navigating Regulations & Ethical Beauty

• Are outdated cosmetic regulations hindering innovation? Experts argue for more agility in safety assessments.
• The debate on active ingredients and their physiological effects—how should regulations evolve?
• Why "Not Tested on Animals" doesn’t mean "Not Tested at All"—ensuring ethical yet scientifically sound testing.

🎯 Market Trends: The Future of Skincare Innovation

• Peptides, probiotics, and microbiome-friendly ingredients are gaining traction.
• Longevity skincare is emerging as a major anti-aging category.
• Skincare devices & wearables, such as LED masks and AI-powered skin analysis, are set to revolutionize the industry.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now!

Innovating Hair Care - The Future of Beauty in 2025

Discover 2025’s top hair care trends, from AI-powered personalization to sustainable innovations. Learn from industry experts shaping the future of hair care.

Panelists

• Mallory Huron – Director of Beauty & Wellness, Fashion Snoops
• Kameese Davis – CEO/Founder, Nylah Naturals
• Emma Heathcote-James – Founder, The Little Soap Company
• Jennifer O'Hara – Technical Marketing Manager, Inolex

Key Themes in Hair Care Innovation

Consumer Trends

Consumers embrace hair care rituals, personalized routines, and multifunctional products tailored to scalp and hair health.

Technology Innovations

AI-powered hair analysis, heat tools that prevent damage, and biotech-driven formulations lead the way in 2025 hair care trends.

Sustainability Focus

Waterless, concentrated, and solid hair care formats gain traction as brands work toward eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner packaging and ethical sourcing.

Regulatory Challenges

New ingredient restrictions and evolving packaging regulations push brands to innovate responsibly while ensuring gentle hair care formulations.

What You’ll Learn

• How TikTok beauty trends and Gen Z are redefining personalized hair care.
• The role of AI in beauty industry and scalp health solutions.
• Why sustainability in packaging and formulation is crucial for future success.
• The impact of evolving regulations on silicone-free hair care products.

Cosmetics Industry Trends for 2025

Explore the latest cosmetics industry trends for 2025 in this episode of the Global Cosmetics News Podcast with Siobhan Murphy. Joined by industry expert Arnita Wofford, this insightful discussion unpacks the major consumer, technology, environmental, and financial trends shaping the future of beauty.

Key Themes

• Consumer Trends: Self-expression, natural formulations, and local sourcing are at the forefront, with a rise in plant-based and sustainable products.
• Technology Innovations: AI-powered personalization, accessible diagnostics, and the growth of tech-infused men's beauty products are redefining the industry.
• Environmental Challenges: Despite increasing consumer demand, progress toward sustainability faces economic and regulatory hurdles.
• Financial Dynamics: Global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical challenges, like tariffs, may push companies toward sustainable practices.

What You’ll Learn

• How self-expression and cultural influences are reshaping consumer behavior.
• The impact of AI and blockchain on beauty innovation and personalization.
• Why inclusivity and dermatology diversity remain essential for brand evolution.
• Strategies to address the carbon footprint and environmental accountability in cosmetics.

2024 in Review

What to Expect in This Episode

 

From groundbreaking advancements in technology to the rising demand for sustainability and inclusivity, 2024 proved to be a pivotal year for the beauty sector. This episode dives deep into the defining moments and asks the big questions:

 

• Who were the winners and losers of 2024?
• How did brands navigate evolving consumer demands?
• What’s next for the industry?
•  

Meet the Panel of Experts

 

• Arnita Wofford, Chief Marketing Officer at Sweetch
• Amarjit Sahota, Founder of Ecovia Intelligence
• Armaan Mehta, Co-Founder Odore

 

Together, they explore topics such as the cost-of-living crisis, greenwashing, AI-driven innovation, sustainability regulations, and the power of community-driven marketing.

 

 

Highlights from the Discussion

 

Consumer Challenges in 2024

 

The panel explored the biggest hurdles brands faced in engaging with today’s informed and demanding consumers:

 

• Transparency and Trust: Consumers now demand full transparency about ingredients, supply chains, and sustainability efforts.
• Cost-of-Living Crisis: Financial pressures forced shoppers to scrutinize every purchase, driving demand for multifunctional, high-value products.
• Overconsumption and Greenwashing: Confusing claims around "sustainability" left consumers questioning what green truly means.

 

Technical Challenges and Innovations

The cosmetics industry walked a fine line between innovation and practicality:

 

• Ingredient Innovation: Arnita highlighted the ongoing challenge of balancing natural ingredients with performance and environmental impact.
• AI and Biotechnology: Amarjit pointed to AI’s growing role in customization, formulation, and consumer research, alongside breakthroughs in sustainable ingredient production through biotechnology.
• Content at Scale: Armaan noted the increasing reliance on content creators and user-generated content, pushing brands to find scalable solutions to engage consumers authentically.
•  

Environmental and Regulatory Challenges

 

As sustainability took center stage, the panel shared insights into the environmental and regulatory pressures shaping the future:

 

• Packaging Challenges: Single-use plastics remain a significant obstacle, with innovations like refillables, bioplastics, and circular design gaining traction.
• EU Regulations: Amarjit discussed Europe’s new sustainability standards, including the EU Green Claims Directive, which requires scientific evidence for all environmental claims.
• Responsible Consumption: Arnita emphasized the need for education and better messaging to address overconsumption trends driven by "performance beauty."

 

Key Takeaways: 2024 in Summary

 

Each panelist shared their perspective on what defined 2024 for their corner of the industry:

 

• Arnita Wofford: "2024 was a sprint towards a more positive impact for the future. Despite challenges, biotech and technology continue to fuel innovation."
• Amarjit Sahota: "It was a mixed year. Consumers are more informed but still confused by greenwashing. The future lies with sustainable brands that walk the talk."
• Armaan Mehta: "Community was the key theme in 2024. Brands that fostered authentic connections through user-generated content thrived."

 

Creating Cosmetics : Derma Cosmetics

Episode Overview: What Are Derma Cosmetics?

In recent years, "derma cosmetics" has become a buzzword in the beauty industry, and 2024 has seen this term reach new heights. But what exactly are derma cosmetics, and what sets them apart from traditional skincare?

Derma cosmetics are specially formulated skincare products that utilize advanced active ingredients to target and treat specific skin concerns. These products are designed to bridge the gap between medical skincare and everyday beauty routines, offering consumers targeted solutions for complex skin conditions.

Join host Siobhan Murphy, Publishing Director at Global Cosmetics News, as she explores the world of derma cosmetics with two distinguished industry experts.

 

Meet the Panelists

• Julia Durack
  VP of Research and Product Development at Symbiome
  Representing the pioneering microbiome skincare brand from the United States, Julia Durack brings her expertise in research and product development. Symbiome has been at the forefront of integrating microbiome science into skincare, offering products that promote skin health at a deeper level.

• Dr. Tiina Meder
  CEO and Founder of Meder by Tiina Meder
  From Europe, Dr. Tiina Meder leads Meder by Tiina Meder, a microbiome-friendly skincare brand. With years of experience in the industry, Dr. Meder shares insights into how her brand approaches skincare with a science-backed, microbiome-friendly focus.

Key Topics Discussed

• The Rise of Derma Cosmetics
  What has led to the popularity of derma cosmetics in 2024, and why are more consumers and brands embracing this trend?

• Understanding Advanced Ingredients
  Discover the advanced active ingredients that differentiate derma cosmetics from standard skincare products and how these ingredients are used to address complex skin issues.

• Microbiome in Skincare
  Both Symbiome and Meder by Tiina Meder incorporate microbiome science into their products. Learn why the microbiome is essential for skin health and how it shapes the development of new products.

• Challenges and Opportunities in the Industry
  From misinformation to regulatory challenges, Julia and Dr. Meder discuss the obstacles facing brands today. They also explore the importance of consumer education and the role it plays in the success of derma cosmetics.

Creating Cosmetics: Menopausal Skin

In this episode of In Conversation With, we explore a market the cosmetics industry has largely overlooked—menopausal women. According to a 2020 report by venture capital firm Female Founders Fund, around one billion women are expected to be in menopause by 2025, with business opportunities projected at US$600 billion. So why has the cosmetics industry been slow to tap into this growing market?

Join us as Harold Van der Hoeven, Director of Product Design and Development at CLR Berlin, Wizz Selvey, Co-Founder of Valerie, and Susanna Hancock, Founder and GenXer, discuss the challenges and potential for future product innovations. From ingredients and efficacy to consumer demands, this insightful conversation dives deep into where the real opportunities lie for brands looking to serve this demographic.

Listen in to learn how the industry can better address the needs of menopausal women and capitalize on this enormous opportunity.

Creating Cosmetics: Melanin Skin

Although people of color make up 40% of the U.S. population, brands targeting melanin-rich skin contribute to less than 3% of total beauty industry revenues, according to a McKinsey report. So, where has the beauty industry fallen short?

 

This month, Arnita Wofford, Chief Marketing Officer at Sweetch, and Siobhan Murphy, Publishing Director at Global Cosmetics Media, explore the crucial investment, innovation, and talent the industry must prioritize to serve this growing market effectively.

Creating Cosmetics: Color Cosmetics

Over the past four years, the colour cosmetics industry has evolved dynamically. Consumer demands for innovation, personalization, and sustainability have shifted towards more sophisticated and eco-friendly offerings.

As manufacturers strive to merge aesthetic appeal with eco-conscious practices, This month's panel:

Mallory Huron,  Senior Strategist for Beauty & Wellness at Fashion Snoops, the global trend forecasting agency.

Justyna Jastrzebska  Manager Sustainable Formulation & Nail Product Development at AVON. 

Kreso Sach, Product Manager at Visage Technologies .  The developers of Arbelle the leading provider of face tracking, analysis, and recognition technology. 

discuss where the opportunities for growth and innovation lie.

 

Creating Cosmetics: Personal Care

 

Are concentrated formulas the future of personal care products?

Concentrated formulas require:

• Fewer raw materials
• Less water
• Smaller quantities per application
• Smaller packaging or no packaging

 

One might say a compelling solution to the industry’s sustainability problems.

So why are manufacturers slow to adapt?

This month's panel:

• Mallory Huron, Senior Strategist for Beauty & Wellness at Fashion Snoops, a leading global trend forecasting agency.
• Jennifer Kaplan, Director of Suitability at C16 Biosciences, the company behind the innovative Palmless™ products.
• Maggie Spicer, Founder of Source Beauty, a legal and ESG advisory firm focused on the beauty sector.

Discuss the hurdles and opportunities in creating sustainable personal care products as we move into 2024.

Creating Cosmetics: Sun Care

The escalating climate crisis has elevated sun protection from a seasonal consideration to a daily necessity.

This presents boundless possibilities for innovation within the sun protection product market.

This month's panel:

Sara Dudley, CEO of The Sunscreen Company, and Arnita Wofford, Global Marketing Director, Technical Marketing Innovator, and Content Creator, discuss how this pivotal industry challenge lies in balancing affordability and inclusivity with ease of application while minimizing environmental impact and ensuring profitability.