Top 5 most-read stories March 2021: Colgate design-led R&D, Garnier cruelty free and sustainable beauty transitions

A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from March 2021 shows interest in Colgate-Palmolive’s design-led innovation strategy, Garnier’s Leaping Bunny certification and L’Oréal and Typology’s green beauty objectives.

Design-led innovation at Colgate-Palmolive​

Colgate-Palmolive’s chief technology officer Pat Verduin PhD told attendees at this year’s online Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) 2021 conference that the personal care giant was shifting its innovation strategy towards a “design-led”​ approach, generating plenty of reader interest.

Rather than focusing on traditional line extensions, the company would instead invest in new product development where design and user experience teams were involved from the start to develop a “well-rounded product”​ that fitted Colgate-Palmolive’s brand purpose and delivered a “great user experience”.​

Garnier Leaping Bunny and L’Oréal global green science shift​

News that Garnier had obtained Cruelty Free International’s Leaping Bunny certification across its entire global portfolio also caused a stir – marked as evidence of what mass beauty could achieve by the organisation itself.

For Garnier, the recognition was described as “a real milestone”,​ reflective of the brand’s commitment to a world against animal testing that dated back decades. Cruelty Free International said it had been no easy feat to obtain all relevant documents and background on Garnier’s vast supplier network and was a “hugely significant” ​achievement.

Meanwhile, parent company L’Oréal revealed its plans to transition its entire global portfolio to green sciences at an exclusive press event on the topic of transparency. Executives at the company said this approach would push L’Oréal further towards a circular business approach and the transition was especially timely and necessary.

Startup buzz – Typology B Corp and Operators Skincare hard wearing sunscreen​

Lots of interest was also amassed on two stories on European skin care startups. French firm Typology secured B Corporation status after just two years in business – an achievement that greatly aligned with the founder’s desire to build a positive impact brand. And Danish firm Operators Skincare launched a sunscreen for extreme conditions and adventure sports that its founder said plugged an important gap in the market, particularly since COVID-19.

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