COSMOFACTORY

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 ...

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 d...

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 co...

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 I...

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 impa...

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 res...

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 sel...

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 ...

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...

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 i...

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...

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,...

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. Ro...

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, et...

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 Aroun...

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 welln...

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 ...

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 P...

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...