Shows
COSMOFACTORYRegulatory Readiness and Brand Growth, featuring GCRS Co-Founder and Technical Director Deepa SinahCosmetic industry regulations vary from region to region and are updated quite often. To keep pace with it all, many brands and manufacturers partner with third-party compliance management specialists that oversee regulated matters such as safety, labeling, claims, sustainability, ethics, and more. This week on CosmoFactory, we consider the link between regulatory compliance and brand growth. Our guest is Deepa Sinah, Co-Founder and Technical Director at GCRS, a UK-based global compliance and regulatory services company supporting personal care and cosmetic brands, as well as beauty product manufacturers, and retailers. The company was established in 2018 and wo...
2026-05-0520 minCOSMOFACTORYChallenger-Brand Innovation in Grooming, featuring Fler CEO and Co-Founder Allegra ViolanteCourageous beauty startups are finding opportunity in mature markets, developing premium brands that compete with commodity goods. This week on CosmoFactory, we hear from a challenger brand in the premium shave category. Our guest is Allegra Violante, CEO and Co-Founder of Fler, a design-forward shave brand intent on creating products and a narrative that help consumers “feel good” about body hair and shaving practices. Based in Milan, Italy, Fler got started in 2021 and today offers everything from aluminum razors and blade refills to a line of shave mouse, as well as quite a number of body...
2026-04-2822 minCOSMOFACTORYAI and B2B Brand Experience, featuring PDT Cosmetici Export Manager Chiara ArboreaBeauty tech takes many forms. One of which is the digital teammate, an AI tool or platform that helps both customers and companies find time for the work that matters most. This week on CosmoFactory, we hear about the role of AI in B2B brand experience. Our guest is Chiara Arborea, Export Manager at PDT Cosmetici. Founded in 1996, PDT Cosmetici is a contract manufacturing company specialized in skincare and body care. The Italy-based beauty maker also owns and manufactures the professional brand PHYSIO NATURA, showcasing the company’s product production capabilities, the efficacy of natu...
2026-04-2122 minCOSMOFACTORYManufacturing with Market Intent, featuring The Soap Factory General Manger Ian MooreEvery personal care product format requires specialized manufacturing expertise—even those that might feel commonplace, like bar soap. And it’s these types of production capabilities and category know-how that keep our industry at once stable and set for progress. This week on CosmoFactory, we explore the world of solid soap manufacturing. Our guest is Ian Moore, General Manger at The Soap Factory. The New Zealand – based contract manufacturer has been in business since 1992 and is built upon the heritage of McLeod’s Soaps, New Zealand's original soapmaker (that company dates back to 1868). Today, The Soap Fact...
2026-04-1418 minCOSMOFACTORYIngredient Science for Beauty Consumers, featuring Lubrizol Global Strategic Marketing Manager Paola PérezToday’s consumer is seeking an increasingly complex understanding of skin biology and active ingredient mechanisms of action. This new reality is changing how brands, manufacturers, and ingredient makers create and market the products they sell. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn how legacy cosmetic industry suppliers are using research, positioning, and innovation to better meet market expectations. Our guest is Paola Pérez, Global Strategic Marketing Manager at Lubrizol. The US – based specialty chemical maker was founded in 1928 and serves numerous industries from agriculture to energy, electronics to healthcare, and of course beauty...
2026-04-0720 minCOSMOFACTORYFulfillment Experience, featuring International Logistics Group Business Develop Manager Emily Di FanteOften today, the tangible brand experience happens post-purchase and, at least initially, relies largely on operational excellence. As a result, the 3PL teams that support beauty brands have unique and valuable cosmetic market insights. This week on CosmoFactory, we consider the nuance and necessity of fulfillment. Our guest is Emily Di Fante, Business Develop Manager at International Logistics Group. UK-based ILG specializes in ecommerce and retail fulfilment for fast-growth beauty, wellbeing, and fashion brands. The company, founded in 1990 and since 2018 operating as a subsidiary of Yusen Logistics, also provides brand with services spanning personalization, gift-wrapping, r...
2026-03-3121 minCOSMOFACTORYSocial Responsibility and Cosmetics Manufacturing, featuring Le Antiche Mura Junior Project Manager Francesco FaraoniCompanies in the B2B sector have tremendous potential to reach beyond transactional activities and economic metrics—to contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing and success of the communities, colleagues, and customers around them. This week on CosmoFactory, we explore the social dimensions of business along the cosmetic industry supply chain. Our guest is Francesco Faraoni, Junior Project Manager at Le Antiche Mura. The entrepreneur-led manufacturing company has been in business since 2009 and supports primarily regional beauty brands with Made In Tuscany heritage. Le Antiche Mura produces skincare, hair care, and fragrance (including home fragrance); additionally, the...
2026-03-2419 minCOSMOFACTORYDigital Consumer Data on Longevity, featuring SPATE Beauty Insights Manager Mathilde RibaOnline consumer behavior signals can provide the cosmetics industry with actionable information about trend diffusion and buying intent. Right now, brands, agencies, and suppliers are watching this presales data to better understand and capitalize on the longevity trend across skincare, hair care, body care, color cosmetics, and wellness. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we dive into the latest digital consumer data on longevity. Our guest is Mathilde Riba, Beauty Insights Manager at SPATE, a trend forecasting platform for CPG sectors including beauty, wellness, food, and beverage. Founded in 2018, US-based SPATE uses TikTok, Instagram, and Go...
2026-03-1722 minCOSMOFACTORYFragrance and Consumer Identity, featuring Punk Champagne Chief Creative Marketing Officer Miranda GordonIn the US market, consumer preferences correlate to a craving for self-expression and social belonging. This may be especially true in the fragrance category. On this week’s episode of the CosmoFactory podcast, we find out what cultural anthropology can tell us about fragrance. Our guest is Miranda Gordon, Chief Creative Marketing Officer at Punk Champaign. Building on years of industry experience with houses like Givaudan, Firmenich, and Mane, Gordon continues to drive innovation in her current role at Punk Champaign, a New York City – based multi-sensory marketing and revenue development consultancy focusing on fragrance, techno...
2026-03-1026 minCOSMOFACTORYBeauty’s Dupe Era, featuring STATISTA Beauty & Personal Care Industry Expert Dominique PetruzziLower-priced alternative cosmetic and fragrance products appeal to consumers like never before. The beauty dupe movement is thriving, thanks to social media, new consumer attitudes, and brands taking a creative-imitation approach to NPD. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider beauty dupes, what is driving the movement, how brands are responding, and what could derail the success of these inspired-by products. Our guest is Dominique Petruzzi, Beauty & Personal Care Industry Expert at STATISTA, a market research and global business-data platform. Based in Germany, the company was established in 2007 and today provides clients with not o...
2026-03-0324 minCOSMOFACTORYThe Business of Product Development, featuring Erno Laszlo Chief Product Officer Patricia SchuffenhauerThere is more to cosmetic product development than in-the-lab innovation. Teams that create and reformulate are responsible for not only the efficacy, experience, and safety of a product but also profitability, which depends upon cost of goods—from ingredients to packaging and beyond—as well as marketing, customer acquisition, and more. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn about the business complexities of product development. Or guest is Patricia Schuffenhauer, Chief Product Officer at Erno Laszlo. The nearly 100-year-old skincare brand has a longstanding legacy in the US market; after first launching in Hungary, Dr. La...
2026-02-2423 minCOSMOFACTORYBrand Endurance Strategy, featuring Olaplex CEO Amanda BaldwinBringing novel ingredient science to the consumer market is an opportunity, a challenge, and a risk. Turning that innovation into a brand that changes beauty consumer expectations and impacts an entire product category is an even greater undertaking. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider how ground-breaking brands can grow even after the hero innovation is normalized in the marketplace. Our guest is Amanda Baldwin, CEO of Olaplex, the hair care brand responsible for disulfide bond-repair technology. Founded in 2014, the US-based brand is popular with professional stylists and consumers alike. Baldwin previously served as CE...
2026-02-1723 minCOSMOFACTORYFrom Brand Strategy to Consumer Demand, featuring EO Products Co-CEO Susan Griffin-BlackSuccessful niche beauty brands have a passionate consumer base with strong repurchase behavior. This is true because the business structure behind a cosmetics or personal care brand shows up on the shelf; and consumers are drawn to brands that match their own sensibilities. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast we hear how an indie beauty brand, expert in essential oils, structures its supply chain, connects with consumers, and continues to grow internationally. Our guest is Susan Griffin-Black, Founder and Co-CEO of US-based EO Products. The natural beauty brand launched in 1995 and 17 years later, in 2012, introduced a s...
2026-02-0322 minCOSMOFACTORYStrategic R&D Partnerships, featuring Proya Cosmetics Chief Scientific Advisor and Vice President Lieve DeclercqAn international network of scientific experts, academic and corporate partners, and cosmetic industry connectors are valuable assets for any brand with global aspirations. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about the vision, strategy, and science behind one of today’s rapidly rising cosmetic companies. Our guest is Lieve Declercq, Chief Scientific Advisor and Vice President of the European Innovation Center at Proya Cosmetics. China-based Proya Cosmetics is the country’s leading domestic beauty group and is intent on being among the top ten beauty makers in the world by 2035. The company was established in 200...
2026-01-2723 min
COSMOFACTORYDonkey Milk as a Signature Ingredient, featuring Woo & Joo Inc. Global Sales Manager Yoon Tak OkIn the age of cosmetic industry transparency, ingredient sourcing and traceability are at least ascompelling as brand story. This is true for leading-edge biotech innovations, time-tested naturals, andeverything in between.This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we discover the past, present, and future of skincare madewith donkey milk. Our guest is Yoon Tak Ok, Global Sales Manager at Woo & Joo Inc. The Korea-basedcompany established a ranch in that country, developed a proprietary ingredient blend, and owns twobrands that are all about the benefits of donkey milk. SkyMilk is...
2026-01-2019 minCOSMOFACTORYPreservation Ingredients of Today and Tomorrow, featuring Sharon Personal Care General Manager Americas Pascal YvonCosmetic preservative systems are continually advancing. To help cosmetic scientists ensure the safety and integrity of the products they create, ingredient makers today are modulating polarity and identifying new modes of action to create cosmetic preservative systems that meet formulator needs, regulatory guidelines, and beauty consumer expectations. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn about preservative solutions—both classic and modern. Our guest is Pascal Yvon, General Manager Americas at Sharon Personal Care by eternis. Founded in 1977, the company is widely known for its expertise in preservatives, and has in recent years expanded the Shar...
2026-01-1320 minCOSMOFACTORYBiotech Beauty Knowledge Capture, featuring Geltor Co-Founder and CEO Alex LorestaniSourcing and designing cosmetic ingredients with biotechnology presents a tremendous opportunity to realize next-level efficacy, traceability, originality, etc. We are only at the beginning of biotech, but thanks to pioneering suppliers, our industry already has a practical history of learnings to draw on as we innovate for the future. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we look at biotech ingredient development with the benefit of hindsight. Our guest is Alex Lorestani, Co-Founder and CEO of Geltor. The US-based biodesign company was founded in 2015 and specializes in functional, biocompatible, animal-free proteins and peptides for use in sk...
2026-01-0627 min
COSMOFACTORYCosmetic Brush Design and Manufacturing, featuring Anisa International Founder and CEO Anisa Telwar KaickerThis episode is a favorite from the archive, and a good conversation to revisit while the CosmoFactory team is on Winter Break. (original air date July 23, 2024) We will be back with more informative and inspiring episodes at the start of 2026. In the meantime, enjoy this and other episodes from the archive—which you can find here: https://www.cosmoprof.com/en/events/special-projects/cosmofactory/ It takes both hands-on craftsmanship and automated manufacturing processes to create quality makeup brushes and skincare application tools. Fiber extrusion, ferrule design, handle material, glue type, and othe...
2025-12-2328 minCOSMOFACTORYSmart Follower and Market Entry Strategy, featuring Beesline International Director of Business Development Omar ToumaAs companies around the world compete for consumer dollars, business strategists are combining new capabilities with traditional tactics to innovate product, create brand momentum, and position the companies they work with for sustained growth. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we find out about business development strategy. Our guest is Omar Touma, Director of Business Development at Beesline International. The beauty and personal care brand, based in Lebanon, was established in 1993 and has since expanded well beyond the MENA region. Today Beesline is present in more than 25 countries across 6 continents, and has made refillable roll-on d...
2025-12-1625 minCOSMOFACTORYNanofiber Science and Product Application, featuring TaikiUSA Chief Scientist Doctor Laura FrazierBeauty product manufacturers create sizable innovations from the tiniest of technologies. One good example of this: designing next-generation cosmetic product formats with nanofiber materials. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn about nanofibers from our guest Doctor Laura Frazier, Chief Scientist at TaikiUSA, the company is a branch of Taiki Group (headquartered in Japan) which specializes in product application tools and technologies, including nanofiber sheet masks and skincare patches. In recent years TaikiUSA teamed up with the Stellenbosch Nanofiber Company (SNC) of South Africa to form a joint venture called Bōshi Beauty and dev...
2025-12-0924 minCOSMOFACTORYMenopause Brand Creation, featuring Womaness Co-Founder and CEO Sally MuellerBuilding a brand, helping create a category, reaching a previously underserved consumer—none of these is an easy task. Yet contemporary menopause care brands are taking on all of these challenges. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider the risks and rewards of creating an OTC brand for the generation-spanning demographic of menopause consumers. Our guest is Sally Mueller, Co-Founder and CEO of Womaness. The US-based wellness brand was founded in 2020 with an ambition to ‘modernize aging’. The Womaness portfolio spans skincare, body care, sexual wellness products, and supplements—products consumers find at both general m...
2025-12-0223 minCOSMOFACTORYMolecular Farming for Cosmetics, featuring VelozBio CTO and Co-Founder Laura Margarita López, Upstream Processing Manager Marypaz Hernandez Sicaeros, and Proteomics Manager Andrés Moreno MoralesBiofactories are driving growth in the cosmetic ingredient development sector. And molecular farming technologies are among the newer platforms that companies around the world are leveraging to produce sought-after molecules with applications in skincare, hair care, etc. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn more about genomic biotechnology and how suppliers are using plants to produce ingredients in new ways. Our guests are Laura Margarita López, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at VelozBio; Marypaz Hernandez Sicaeros, Upstream Processing Manager at VelozBio; and Andrés Moreno Morales, Proteomics Manager at VelozBio. Founded in 2021 and loc...
2025-11-2518 minCOSMOFACTORYInvesting in the Future of Beauty & Tech, featuring Fab Ventures Founder Odile RoujolInvestor dollars play an important role in the innovation economy. Yet finding and nurturing founders who can imagine and iterate on the tech platforms, business models, and product development strategies that will help the cosmetics industry advance is a skills unto itself. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we explore the world of venture capital. Our guest is Odile Roujol, Founder of Fab Co-Creation Studio Ventures. Based in California (US), Fab Ventures fosters community building among founders around the world and funds DTC beauty brands, social commerce platforms, and data-driven startups that are creating a p...
2025-11-1818 min
COSMOFACTORYStudying Cosmetic Chemistry, featuring Spelman College Cosmetic Science Program Director Dr. Leyte WinfieldEducation is the foundation of innovation. As cosmetic science becomes more sophisticated and industry regulations more rigorous, the schools where students learn about beauty, biology, chemistry, and material science are more vital to the future success of our industry than ever. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn about cosmetic science education. Our guest is Dr. Leyte Winfield, Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Cosmetic Science Program at Spelman College. Established in 1881 and located in Georgia (US), Spelman added cosmetic science to their academic offerings at the start of 2023. And already the College’s mu...
2025-11-1122 min
COSMOFACTORYPlant-Based Beauty, featuring Native Extracts CEO Lisa CarrollNatural, botanical cosmetic ingredients are getting as much attention from consumers, brands, and researchers as are ingredients from any other origin. Which is why suppliers are investing in the popularity and potential of plant extracts. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about sourcing, processing, and studying botanical extracts for use in cosmetic, personal care, and even nutraceutical product formulations. Our guest is Lisa Carroll, CEO of Native Extracts, an Australia-based ingredient supplier specialized in water-soluble phytochemicals. Established in 2012, the company now boasts a portfolio of over 400 ingredients sourced from, for example, Desert Lime, Mo...
2025-11-0424 min
COSMOFACTORYForest-Origin Ingredients, featuring Lignopure Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder Daniela ArangoSustainable ingredient solutions are instrumental in the development of new sunscreen and light-protection skincare products. Which is why suppliers are finding value in rescued, renewable materials that make industry more sustainable and sun care more effective. This week on the CosmoFactory podcase, we learn about lignin, a complex natural polymer with SPF – boosting benefits. Our guest is Daniela Arango, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder of Lignopure. The Hamburg, Germany – based biotech startup specializes in lignin for applications across multiple industries. For the cosmetics and personal care ingredient market, Lignopure turns this complex natural polymer into a line...
2025-10-2822 min
COSMOFACTORYAn Antifragile Theory of Beauty, featuring Laboratoires Adeba Co-Founder Linda DempahIn the world of finance, ‘antifragile’ is commonly used to describe companies that thrive amid uncertainty and stress. Endurance often stands as proof of antifragility. Does this then mean that in the cosmetics industry, time-tested skincare ingredients are inherently reliable, effective, and safe? This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider the antifragile framework and what it could mean for beauty brands and for the beauty ingredient supply chain. Our guest is Linda Dempah, Co-Founder of Laboratoires Adeba. Founded in 2017 and based in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Laboratoires Adeba is a skincare, body car...
2025-10-2123 min
COSMOFACTORYThe Rapid Product Pipeline Model, featuring Essence Cosmetics Global Director Isabelle TambueNew product launches engage the consumer market and power industry growth. To maintain momentum, dynamic brands create seasonal collections, cross-industry collaborations, product texture innovations, and more. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we discover how a fast-paced, segment-specific product launch calendar can drive brand impact. Our guest is Isabelle Tambue, Global Director of Essence, a Germany-based brand launched in 2002. Essence specializes in decorative cosmetics at affordable price points for young consumers. The brand is owned by Cosnova, a company that prides itself on newness, replacing half of its product portfolio every year. Cosnova also owns C...
2025-10-1422 minCOSMOFACTORYProduct Traceability, featuring Temera Sustainability Director María Fernánda Hernandez FrancoAll along the cosmetics and fragrance value chain, tagging technologies like RFID, block chain, and QR codes are being used to create a digital product passport (DPP)—a data-rich bridge between manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we explore the world of track-and-trace and how this technology supports supply chain transparency, compliance, sustainability, and consumer connectivity. Our guest is María Fernánda Hernandez Franco, Sustainability Director at Temera. Founded in 2009, and headquartered in Scarperia e San Piero, Italy, Temera has been a Beontag company since 2022. Temera specializes in traceability and s...
2025-10-0724 min
COSMOFACTORYNAD+ and Skin Longevity, featuring New Frontier Bio Co-Founder and Associate Professor in Dermatology at Harvard Medical School Dr. Anna MandinovaNAD+ and Skin Longevity, featuring New Frontier Bio Co-Founder and Associate Professor in Dermatology at Harvard Medical School Dr. Anna Mandinova The anti-ageing beauty market is changing in response to consumer expectations and scientific progress. Skin biologists working in the cosmetics sector as well as medical professionals are studying ingredients that promise to optimize cell function and change what’s possible with both topical treatments and beauty supplements. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we discover the latest in dermatology science and skincare research with our guest Dr. Anna Mandinova, Co-Founder of New...
2025-09-3025 min
COSMOFACTORYReconfiguring the Packaging Supply Chain, featuring Pacific Packaging Components CEO Brandon FrankOne thing is certain in the beauty packaging sourcing business today: uncertainty. Yet in the face of market disruption, suppliers, distributors, and brands are adapting—creating solutions and finding opportunities that ensure the supply chain remains dependable and responsive. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we find out how fluctuating tariffs are changing the way suppliers and beauty makers do business. Our guest is Brandon Frank, CEO of Pacific Packaging Components, a US-based distribution company founded in 1970. PPC works with a network of over 300 packaging producers around the world. The company sources both primary and sec...
2025-09-2321 min
COSMOFACTORYSafety and Efficacy Testing, featuring Genemarkers Senior Technical Sales Manager Jocelyn KearsleyBiomarker analysis provides cosmetics industry suppliers and manufacturers with useful data that supports innovation in both raw materials and finished products. In recent years, this data has furthered our industry’s knowledge of why and how products deliver results. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about molecular testing for protein or gene expression and what this science can tell us about product efficacy and mechanisms of actions. Our guest is Jocelyn Kearsley, Senior Technical Sales Manager at Genemarkers. Founded in 2008, the US-based biotech research company works with industry partners in consumer products, pharma, and...
2025-09-1619 min
COSMOFACTORYThe Menopause Beauty Market, featuring CEO and Co-Founder of Gen M Heather JacksonPersonal care and cosmetic launches account for the majority of products that mention menopause on the label.* But experts agree that there is much more to learn about this life transition and much more to be done to adequately serve the menopausal consumer. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about the menopausal market opportunity that exists for beauty industry suppliers, brands, and retailers. Our guest is Heather Jackson, CEO and Co-Founder of GenM, a UK-based organization dedicated to broadening awareness of all things menopause and helping brands provide solutions for this previously overlooked co...
2025-09-0918 min
COSMOFACTORYPackaging Design Trends, featuring Berlin Packaging, Design Director EMEA Andrea UcchinoCosmetic and personal care packaging is not only function and fashionable; it describes the product, the brand, and the user experience through thoughtfully curated visual and tactile details—which is why we see a reflection of cultural trends in beauty packaging design. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we explore a selection of forward-facing cosmetic packaging design trends. Our guest is Andrea Ucchino, Design Director EMEA at Berlin Packaging, a US-based multinational supplier of hybrid packaging. With over 100 locations around the world and more than 50,000 SKUs, the company designs and supplies packaging for multiple industries, inc...
2025-09-0223 min
COSMOFACTORYArtivism in Fashion and Beauty, featuring Earth Partner Sustainability Strategist Marina TestinoEvery day, creative commercial photography helps sell beauty products. What if that same artistic approach to marketing could be used to educate and motivate consumers to actively participate in the sustainable beauty economy? This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we discover the power of artivism—where art meets activism—to influence public opinion and involve consumers in environmental sustainability efforts. Our guest is Marina Testino, Sustainability Strategist, Creative Director, and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Earth Partner. Testino creates campaigns to affect change in collaboration with NGO’s, IGO’s, and other sustainability stakeholders such as the El...
2025-08-2618 min
COSMOFACTORYEmerging Skin Microbiome Science, featuring Holobiont Medical Research Foundation Co-Founders Julia Durack and Larry WeissScientific knowledge of the human skin microbiome is advancing every day. Newly published research that incorporates pre-industrialized populations reminds us that for as much as we know about the species and functions of the microbes that cover our skin, we have infinitely more to learn. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about microbiome research that looks beyond the built environment and adds to our understanding of what skin health is or could be. Our guests are Co-Founders of the Holobiont Medical Research Foundation: Julia Durack, Executive Director, and Larry Weiss, Medical Director. The US...
2025-08-1923 min
COSMOFACTORYSlow Beauty, Slow Fragrance, featuring freelance beauty writer and consultant Katie BeckerIn the fast-paced cosmetics and personal care industry, a subset of brands and consumers are intentionally slowing down. With a focus on high value rather than high volumes, the slow beauty movement asks us to rethink the precedent of always-be-buying culture. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn about an emerging opportunity for brands and beauty lovers alike. Our guest is Katie Becker, freelance beauty writer and consultant. Based in the US, Becker has been a prominent voice in consumer beauty for nearly 20 years. Having served as Beauty Editor or Beauty Director for publications i...
2025-08-1224 min
COSMOFACTORYConsistently Recycled Packaging, featuring Verity CEO Kerri LeslieAluminum and stainless steel are readily recycled materials. These metals are valuable commodities; and they are often easier to identify and sort than other materials. As our industry searches for sustainable packaging solutions, some beauty makers are striving to close the loop with metal. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn more about the potential of classic metal materials and the importance of thoughtful beauty packaging design. Our guest is Kerri Leslie, CEO of Verity, a US-based company making reusable, refillable, hybrid, and fully recyclable packaging solutions since 2019. If you en...
2025-08-0524 min
COSMOFACTORYCascading Brand Impact, featuring Formulae Prescott Skincare CEO and Founder Pauline PrescottSome of today’s pioneering beauty brand founders are not only measuring success differently but are also hoping to inspire industry change by recalibrating consumer expectations, retailer requirements, and the scope of sustainability. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about the strategy and integrity behind a founder-led brand that is promising consumers effective, efficient, premium skincare. Our guest is Pauline Prescott, CEO and Founder of Formulae Prescott Skincare. The brand, based in Ireland, launched a first product in 2018; and still today boasts a comprehensive routine with only 6 formulations for face and body care.
2025-07-2921 min
COSMOFACTORYVirtual Skin Modeling, featuring Haut AI CEO and Co-Founder Anastasia GeorgievskayaCosmetic ingredient makers, product manufacturers, and brands are using AI technologies to visualize, analyze, and simulate data—clinical data, consumer perception data, and everything in between. Today, advanced AI innovations are even able to anonymize facial data and generate predictive average results. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn how machine vision and generative AI are being used to facilitate ingredient development, product formulation, consumer product recommendations and more. Our guest is Anastasia Georgievskaya, CEO and Co-Founder of Haut AI. The Estonia – based company was founded in 2018 and specializes in AI SaaS solutions for suppli...
2025-07-2222 min
COSMOFACTORYIngredient Intelligence, featuring Gravel AI Co-Founder and CEO Karen HoWith the help of AI, our industry is becoming more transparent. And platform-powered solutions are changing the way that cosmetic ingredient makers, contract manufacturers, and beauty brands gather information and make decisions. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we step into a new era of cosmetic industry creativity and innovation. Our guest is Karen Ho, Co-Founder and CEO of Gravel AI, a London, England – based industry intelligence platform founded in 2021 to support ingredient makers, raw material suppliers, and OEMs. If you appreciated this episode: SHARE it with a friend, SUBSCRIBE to the Co...
2025-07-1521 min
COSMOFACTORYTech in the Pack Top, featuring Nuon CEO Alain DijkstraSkin treatment and skin diagnostic devices are more effective and popular than ever. Does building these technologies into beauty product packaging make them a more accessible for at-home consumer use? This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider the practicalities of tech-enhanced cosmetic packaging. Our guest is Alain Dijkstra, CEO of Nuon, a subsidiary of China-based light therapy and medical device maker Kaiyan Medical. Nuon has been in business since 2010, specializing in caps and closures with integrated treatment tech for the cosmetics and personal care industry. If you appreciated this episode: SHA...
2025-07-0822 min
COSMOFACTORYLuxury in Transition, featuring Borghese Inc. Chief Operating Officer Dawn HilarczykQuality and exclusivity are the defining characteristics of luxury. As beauty consumer values shift, so to do the product, packaging, and promotional attributes that signal luxury. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about the challenges and changes that are shaping luxury brand strategy today. Our guest is Dawn Hilarczyk, Chief Operating Officer at Borghese Inc., a legacy skincare brand based in the US. Founded in 1957, the privately held brand is well known in Asia and the States, and is selectively expanding globally. Borghese specializes in Italian heritage skin and body care; a mud ma...
2025-07-0120 min
COSMOFACTORYSkincare and Longevity, featuring SkinModerne CEO Richard PurvisLongevity is a movement because consumers understand that with the right skincare, nutrition, and lifestyle choices better ageing is possible. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about pro-ageing product claims, microbiome and exosome science, the importance of consumer education, and more. Our guest is Richard Purvis, CEO of SkinModerne, a US-based beauty maker dedicated to skin wellness for both the consumer market and for the professional beauty sector. Purvis brings his background in sports nutrition and nutritional supplements to the topical skincare category, focusing on biocompatible ingredient selection and efficacies that are as much about n...
2025-06-2422 min
COSMOFACTORYWater-Based Fragrance Technology, featuring Cosmo International Fragrances, Perfumer Arnaud Winter and Account Manager Pedro da CostaFine fragrance, body mists, hair fragrance, and other scented cosmetics and personal care products have conventionally been blended with alcohol. As consumer expectations and regulatory protocols change, water-based fragrance is becoming more popular and fragrance scientists are working to meet demand. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we find out about water-based fragrance creation tech and how perfumers and chemists are solving for miscibility and solubility of fragrance molecules, percentages and selection of raw materials, pairing products and applicators, visual clarity, tactile experience, and more. Our guests are Perfumer Arnaud Winter and Account Manager Pedro da...
2025-06-1726 min
COSMOFACTORYBrand Artistry, featuring ARTDECO Cosmetic Group Vice President of Marketing, Anna Blasco SalvatIn color cosmetics, product function is the priority. Creating a makeup brand that looks and feels expressive, statement making, and attuned to consumer preferences is nearly—if not equally—as important. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we open a conversation about makeup, neuromarketing, creative packaging design, brand loyalty, niche product benefits, and so much more. Our guest is Anna Blasco Salvat, Vice President of Marketing at ARTDECO Cosmetic Group. She’s also the Creative Director of that company’s ARTDECO makeup brand. This Germany-based business was founded in 1985 and comprises the consumer brand ARTDECO, a nail co...
2025-06-1024 min
COSMOFACTORYAugmented Intelligence and Consumer Insights, featuring The Estée Lauder Companies Global Vice President of Consumer Foresight & Predictive Analytics Kalindi MehtaAI helps cosmetic and personal care brands conduct social listening analysis, identify and respond to trends, personalize product recommendations, support retail service teams, and so much more. Multinationals that own numerous brands and serve markets around the world use AI tech to do all of this at scale and at a very fast pace. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we take a closer look at how AI—augmented intelligence—is being used to keep pace with beauty consumer trends globally. Our guest is Kalindi Mehta, Global Vice President of Consumer Foresight & Predictive Analytics at The Es...
2025-06-0326 min
COSMOFACTORYSustainability Through Coalition, Featuring Beauty Kitchen and Reposit Founder Jo ChidleyIn the transition to a circular economy, can the cosmetics and personal care sector step into a leadership role among CPG industries? This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, our guest is Jo-Anne Chidley, Founder of Beauty Kitchen and Reposit—a entrepreneur who is fully confident that, by engaging stakeholders from the supply chain through to the end consumer, the beauty industry can model meaningful change. She launched the Beauty Kitchen skincare and body care brand in 2014 to “create the most effective, natural, and sustainable beauty products in the world.” And she subsequently created Reposit, a packa...
2025-05-2722 min
COSMOFACTORYIntelligent Perfumery, featuring Scentmate by dsm-firmenich, Fragrance Development Manager Federica LibralonThe business of fragrance creation is an artistic business. Nevertheless, opportunities to enhance the perfumery and scented personal care product creation process through digital engagement, and with consumer and market data, are significant. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about the work of a fragrance evaluator and the advantages of an intelligent perfumery platform. Our guest is Federica Libralon, Fragrance Development Manager at Scentmate by dsm-firmenich, an online platform launched in 2021 as a resource to brand leaders and beauty entrepreneurs. It allows users to create a brief, collaborate with a fragrance development t...
2025-05-2020 min
COSMOFACTORYPens, Pencils and Crayons, featuring Faber-Castell Cosmetics Vice President of Global Sales & Innovation Christian EisenThe 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 deceptively simple makeup and treatment applicators. Our guest is Christian Eisen, Vice President of Global Sales & Innovation Faber-Castell Cosmetics. The Germany-based company was founded i...
2025-05-0622 min
COSMOFACTORYRoadmap to Cosmetic Industry Sustainability, featuring Quantis Global Lead for Cosmetics, Personal Care, and Pharma Emmanuel HembertOur 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 cosmetic and personal care companies are using to better their businesses and the planet. Our guest is Emmanuel Hembert, Global Lead for Cosmetics, Personal Care, and Pharma at Quantis. The Switzerland-based global management con...
2025-04-2920 min
COSMOFACTORYSoil for Skincare, featuring Uute Scientific Product Director Iida MäkeläThe 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 Iida Mäkelä, Product Director of Uute Scientific Oy, a spin-out company established in 2019 that originated from the Autoimmune Defense and Living Environment (ADELE) project started in 2015 at...
2025-04-2222 min
COSMOFACTORYBranding for the Digital Fragrance Consumer, featuring BellaVita General Manager Namita ShrivastavaWith 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 impact the fragrance category and to reach perfume lovers at every market tier. Our guest is Namita Shrivastava, General Manager of BellaVita. This company got its start in India in 2018 and is today cre...
2025-04-1519 min
COSMOFACTORYSustainable Development Validation, featuring Ecovia Intelligence Research Director Iveta KovacovaIt’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 research and consulting company founded in 2001 that caters to both the cosmetics and food industries with an emphasis on organic, fair trade, and natural products as well as on su...
2025-04-0823 min
COSMOFACTORYThe Competitive Edge of R&D, featuring Trinny London Head of R&D Jeff RosevearIn 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 selection, and brand differentiation with our guest Jeff Rosevear, Head of R&D at Trinny London. Founded in 2017, the brand began in the color cosmetics category but has since expanded beyond makeup into skincare. And Trinny L...
2025-04-0120 min
COSMOFACTORYArabic Fragrance Growth, featuring Arabian Oud International General Manager Ralph Bou NaderScent 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 Arabian Oud International, a fragrance manufacturer and retailer formally established in 1982 that is today not only creating unique perfumes with signature natural ingredients (as well as inputs f...
2025-03-2522 min
COSMOFACTORYOptimizing Beauty Care for Every Generation, Featuring Fashion Snoops Director of Beauty and Wellness Mallory HuronThe 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. Our guest is Mallory Huron, Director of Beauty and Wellness at Fashion Snoops, a global trend forecasting agency based in New York City, specialized in helping consumer-facing companies resp...
2025-03-1722 min
COSMOFACTORYAI-Supported Cosmetic Ingredient Development, Featuring Cambrium Head of Personal Care Lucile BonninIngredient 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 in molecular design. Cambrium was established in 2020; and already, consumer products formulated with the company’s first AI-designed protein are available in the US and Europe. You can g...
2025-03-1121 min
COSMOFACTORYHeritage Brand Creation, Featuring Nopalera Founder Sandra Velasquez 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 care and lifestyle brand comprising products in bath and body care, hair care, fragrance, home fragrance, and more. Sandra draws in...
2025-03-0421 min
COSMOFACTORYMen’s Beauty in the US, featuring STATISTA Consumer Goods and Retail Research Expert Dominique PetruzziRevenue 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, visualization, and research company is based in Germany and provides clients with not only market insights but also consumer insights, ecommerce insights, and more acro...
2025-02-2521 min
COSMOFACTORYNow and Next in Beauty Tech, featuring Virtual Events Group Founder Robin RaskinDigital 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. Robin is a veteran of the tech industry, an events consultant, and former magazine editor. She is expert in the areas of virtual innovation and high-tech across consumer industries, in...
2025-02-1822 min
COSMOFACTORYBrand Communication and Connected Commerce, featuring Dentsu VP of Solution Innovation Val VacanteRetail 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, etc. where they are already spending their time online. Our guest is Val Vacante, VP of Solution Innovation at the integrated marketing, public relations, and advertising firm Dentsu. Based in Tokyo, J...
2025-02-1122 min
COSMOFACTORYFinding Beauty Trends Through Travel, featuring Around the World Beauty Founder Stephanie FlorCosmetic 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 Around the World Beauty and author of The Global Beauty Journey: One Traveler’s Exploration of Ritual, Culture, and Beauty Around the World. Stephanie is dedicated to adva...
2025-02-0421 min
COSMOFACTORYInsights on Neurocosmetics, featuring Beauty And Wellness Trend Forecaster Melissa HagoBeauty 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 wellness trend forecaster. Her work exposes her to global cultural movements, consumer behavior, and key shifts in beauty and wellness. Melissa is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology and holds a ce...
2025-01-2820 min
COSMOFACTORYIngredients from the Colombian Amazon, featuring Cary-O Co-Founder & Managing Director Camilo BuenoRainforest 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 economy and how international collaborations are helping bring novel ingredients to market—ingredients that benefit both consumers and the planet. Our guest is Camilo Bueno, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Cary-O, a company based in Colombia, founded in 2...
2025-01-2129 min
COSMOFACTORYSustainable Ingredient Development at Scale, featuring BASF Sustainable Innovation Platform Lead Johannes CrotoginoDemand 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 Personal Care. The Germany-based company was established in 1865 and is, today, the world’s largest chemical maker, serving industries including automotive, paints and coatings, electronics, plastics, textiles, home care, personal care, and more. If yo...
2025-01-1428 min
COSMOFACTORYQuantifying Circularity, featuring LUMENE Group Vice President of R&D and Sustainability Alain MavonSustainability 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, Group Vice President of R&D and Sustainability at LUMENE Group, a company established in 1970 and headquartered in Espoo, Finland. Today, the company (which develops and manufactures finished goods) comprises t...
2025-01-0726 min
COSMOFACTORYCommercializing a New Brand, featuring ProBeauty Partners CEO and Founder Adrienne KramerCreating a beauty brand and crafting a product line takes a lot of work. What comes next—ensuring that your brand resonates with the market and generates revenue—is perhaps even more challenging. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we explore market readiness and how indie beauty brand leaders can be ready to meet with retail buyers and begin to build the relationships that will unlock success in the marketplace. Our guest is Adrienne Kramer, CEO and Founder of ProBeauty Partners, a US–based business consultancy that’s been working with emerging brands for nearly 15.
2024-12-2424 min
COSMOFACTORYAnimal Cell Culture Science and Skincare, featuring Avant Co-Founder and CEO Carrie ChanAnimal cell culture technologies have clear applications in the food industry as well as in research and testing. But at least one ingredient innovator sees the cosmetic ingredient potential of fish cell culture tech. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about a new animal-friendly method of skincare ingredient development. Our guest is Carrie Chan, Co-Founder and CEO of Avant. With operations in both Singapore and Hong Kong, Avant (established in 2018) has created a bioplatform called Zellulin and is producing skincare ingredients that comprise both functional and signaling proteins. Having gathered seed-cells one time f...
2024-12-1724 min
COSMOFACTORYBuilding a Billion Dollar Brand, featuring Anastasia Beverly Hills President Claudia Norvina SoareCreating a makeup brand that stands out and scales in the highly competitive (and some would say saturated) beauty marketplace takes vision, tenacity, and flexibility. Indie beauty brands and startups face a lot of challenges. And yet, it seems there is always room for success in our industry. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn about the business behind brand extensions; the effort required to meet retailer expectations and keep pace with a rapid product launch cycle; as well as the importance of an engaged social media community. Our guest is Claudia Norvina Soare, Pr...
2024-12-1028 min
COSMOFACTORYAromatherapy Meets Skincare, featuring Mesacosa Co Ltd CEO Young-ok BokWellness is top of mind for consumers today. And some are turning to essential oils and cosmetic aromatherapy to find beauty benefits, emotional benefits, physical health benefits, and more. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider the skincare benefits of aromatherapy, how the practice is linked to Traditional Korean Medicine, and why essential oils and their mechanism of action make the practice of aromatherapy what it is (and distinct from the pleasing scents of synthetic aroma chemicals). Our guest is Young-ok Bok, CEO of Mesacosa Co Ltd. The Korea-based company, established in 2005, includes two co...
2024-12-0335 min
COSMOFACTORYRain Forest Ingredient Sourcing, featuring Forestwise Founder and CEO Dirk-Jan OudshoornThe ethical commercialization of non-timber products can help preserve standing forests and biodiversity; support local workers; and bring sought-after benefits to cosmetic product formulations. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we’re learning about wild-harvesting of Illipe butter and other butters, oils, and sugars with skincare, hair care, and personal care applications. Our guest is Dirk-Jan Oudshoorn, Founder and CEO of Forestwise, a Netherlands-based company established in 2018 that works closely with communities in Indonesia to develop a viable economy and help stop deforestation. If you appreciate this episode:Ple...
2024-11-2630 min
COSMOFACTORYBeauty Inspired by Indonesia, featuring Martha Tilaar Group Owner and CEO Dr. Kilala TilaarThe cosmetics industry in Indonesia is growing exponentially. And one legacy producer is making a noteworthy impact across Indonesia, throughout Asia, and globally—because of its well-known brands, novel bioactive ingredients, extensive research partnerships, a broad retail presence, and more. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we gain insight into Indonesia’s market conditions, regional trends, and the power and potential of Indonesia’s biodiversity as well as that of the country’s business leaders. Our guest is Dr Kilala Tilaar, Owner and CEO of the Martha Tilaar Group. Now an impressively horizontally integrated company with globa...
2024-11-1926 min
COSMOFACTORYPhage-Based Skincare, featuring FagoFarma Business Director Milan BunataBacteriophage technology is being used to address acne, eczema, and other dysbiotic skin concerns. Some microbiology companies are working with endolysins (proteins produced by phages), others are focused on formulating skincare with phages themselves. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider possible cosmetic industry applications for bacteriophage technology. Our guest is Milan Bunata, Business Director of FagoFarma, a biotech company specialized in phage-based preparations for use in the cosmetics, pharma, and veterinary industries. Based in the Czech Republic, FagoFarma was established in 2013. And this year, in an effort to both educate consumers about phage-based sk...
2024-11-1228 min
COSMOFACTORYSkincare Reimagined, featuring Sweet Chemistry CEO and Co-Founder Alec BatisLongevity, skin vitality, and regenerative beauty are very in vogue. Both legacy beauty makers and inventive startup brands are working with the latest science and skincare ingredients to bring new benefits to consumers. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we hear about a proprietary skincare ingredient borrowed directly from the world of regenerative medicine. Our guest is Alec Batis, CEO and Co-Founder of Sweet Chemistry Skincare. The US-based prestige brand, launched in 2023, is leveraging technology developed by Xylix Bio as part of that biomedical company's work with organ tissue regeneration. In our interview, Batis shares ho...
2024-10-2925 min
COSMOFACTORYImmersive Self Care, featuring Shikohin Founder and CEO Takeshi NobuharaBathing and wellness are as mainstream today as personal care is. CPG brands that invite consumers into an immersive self-care routine, that formulate with culturally traditional ingredients, and that bring therapeutic benefits to bath time are winning in the global marketplace. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we discover the world of Japanese bath culture. Our guest is Takeshi Nobuhara, Founder and CEO of Shikohin—which translates to ‘indulgence’ in English and as Nobuhara explains, “is not something you need to survive but something you need to enrich your life.” The brand launched in mid-2022 and comprise...
2024-10-2222 min
COSMOFACTORYLuxstainable Hair Care, featuring Small Wonder CEO and Co-Founder Stephane FarshtIn the beauty industry, water conservation is everyone’s business. And for even one brand to launch one product that moves things forward, it’s a collective effort—involving ingredient tech, manufacturing processes, and packaging design along with feedback from consumers and salon professionals. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we’re learning about an eco-chic powder-to-lather shampoo. Our guest is Stephane Farsht, CEO and Co-Founder of a newly launched professional hair care brand called Small Wonder. This US-based brand is dedicated to advancing the performance of hair care and treatment products while simultaneously helping the cosmet...
2024-10-1528 min
COSMOFACTORYBrand Building, featuring Quiet Coyote Consulting Founder and Member of the Conscious Beauty Advisory Council at Ulta Beauty Lorne LucreeBehind every well-executed cosmetic or personal care brand, you’ll find an abundance of resourcefulness and research—which translate into winning formulations, manufacturing operations, marketing strategies, and retailer partnerships. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we think about brand building through a very contemporary beauty industry lens, where ESG, traceability, brand incubators, conscious beauty, and founder mentorship are as significant as supply chain partnerships and innovations. Our guest is Lorne Lucree, Founder of Quiet Coyote Consulting and a member of the Conscious Beauty Advisory Council at specialty retailer Ulta Beauty. Lucree launched his consultancy this year...
2024-10-0827 min
COSMOFACTORYCreating Better Makeup, featuring Intercos Group Chief Innovation Officer Arabella FerrariColor cosmetic product performance is as in demand as skincare efficacy. To meet beauty consumer expectations, it takes careful ingredient development and selection, along with creative formulation and innovative production methods. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we’re learning about the behind-the-scenes ingenuity that’s necessary to improve the formulations and functions of cosmetic powders, eye makeup, lip color, and more! Our guest is Arabella Ferrari, Group Chief Innovation Officer at Intercos, an industry leader in the development and manufacturing of cosmetics. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Agrate, just northeast of Milan, Italy, Intercos works...
2024-10-0127 min
COSMOFACTORYSustainable Alternatives to Palm Oil, featuring C-16 Biosciences Co-Founder and CEO Shara TickuPalm oil ingredients are incredibly commonplace in cosmetic and personal care product formulations. For environmental and regulatory reasons, consumer goods manufacturers are pushing for traceable, tree-free replacements. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we look at the convergence of natural and scientific innovation along the beauty ingredient supply chain. Our guest is Shara Ticku, Co-Founder and CEO of C-16 Biosciences, a New York City – based company known for its proprietary biomanufacturing platform and the novel cosmetic ingredient Torula oil. Torula is rich in antioxidant carotenoids (including carotenoids that have not previously been commercialized), sterols, and terp...
2024-09-2425 min
COSMOFACTORYAI for Cosmetic Product Formulation, featuring Potion AI CEO Yahya Syed and Chief Product Officer Hejab MalikBeauty tech solutions are changing the way cosmetic scientists discover ingredients, reverse engineer product benchmarks, and conduct competitive analysis. In this way, AI software accelerates speed-to-market and makes more room for creativity and product differentiation. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider how Artificial Intelligence can help formulators expedite product benchmarking and the opportunities that this opens up for brands and CMs. Our guests are Potion AI Co-Founders CEO Yahya Syed and CPO Hejab Malik. Potion AI is a California, US – based tech startup that’s developed a software tool expressly for cosmetic formulators. The co...
2024-09-1731 min
COSMOFACTORYSustainable Innovation, featuring O-PAC R&D Cosmetic Formulation Chemist, Skincare Annamaria Corti and Sales & Marketing Director Orietta RiccaboniSolid beauty and waterless products are increasingly common now that sustainable innovation is a priority for cosmetic brands and personal care manufacturers. The challenge comes in developing a novel skincare format, for instance, that is both eco-friendly and in line with consumer behavior. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we discover how a team of research and development professionals took on this challenge by leveraging material sourcing partnerships, creating truly new formulations, adding manufacturing capabilities, and more! Our guests are Annamaria Corti, R&D Cosmetic Formulation Chemist, Skincare and Orietta Riccaboni, Sales & Marketing Director at O...
2024-09-1033 min
COSMOFACTORYUnderstanding Innovation, featuring goop Vice President of Product Development, Research & Innovation, Regulatory - Beauty and Wellness Akshay TalatiCosmetic product development is a mix of art, science, and business. It also helps if you have built solid industry relationships, make time to attend tradeshows, and know where to find inspiration. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we dive into cosmetic product innovation strategy. Our guest is Akshay Talati, Vice President of Product Development, Research & Innovation, Regulatory - Beauty and Wellness at goop, a lifestyle and wellness brand founded in 2008 by actress and businesswoman Gwyneth Paltrow. Akshay Talati, RPh, has 30 years of experience as a cosmetic scientist and product innovator. He’s developed some 1,000 con...
2024-09-0328 min
COSMOFACTORYPlant-Based Polymer Innovation, featuring P2 Science CEO Oihana ElizaldeGreen Chemistry principles have relevance throughout the chemical sector. Along the cosmetic and personal care supply chain, they’re evident in new ingredient development, raw material sourcing, and more. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn how novel ingredient science is being used to replace petrochemical ingredients with clean, plant-based alternatives. Our guest is Oihana Elizalde, CEO of P2 Science, a material innovation startup serving the cosmetics, fragrance, fashion, and crop care industries. The company is based in Woodbridge, Connecticut, US, and was founded in 2011 on the principles of Green Chemistry. In the beauty ing...
2024-08-2722 min
COSMOFACTORYR&D for multinational direct sales, featuring Oriflame Director of Technology, Insights, and Innovation Emily Whelan As beauty consumer expectations and manufacturer capabilities advance, technologies such as AI, machine learning, and predictive modeling are supporting product development across cosmetics, personal care, wellbeing, and beyond. On the CosmoFactory podcast this week, we look at the many facets of innovation strategy and the challenges of harmonizing cosmetic consumer insights from 60 countries around the world. Our guest is Emily Whelan, Director of Technology, Insights, and Innovation at Oriflame, a social selling beauty company founded in 1967 in Sweden. Today, there are some 3 million Independent Oriflame Brand Partners using social and/or direct sales methods to sel...
2024-08-2026 min
COSMOFACTORYNew Zealand’s Botanical Beauty, featuring Organic Bioactives Executive Director Andrea TaimanaSustainable skincare actives sourced from New Zealand’s marine and forest plant life are a rarity in the cosmetic ingredient marketplace. But that’s changing thanks to the wisdom of indigenous Māori culture and innovative extraction technologies. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we discover how an indie skincare brand became an award-winning global ingredient manufacturer. Our guest is Andrea Taimana, Executive Director of Organic Bioactives. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the company prides itself on high-efficacy cosmetic actives, on preserving the country’s unique biodiversity while leveraging the high level of plant bioactivity that resu...
2024-08-1333 min
COSMOFACTORYKids’ Personal Care, featuring Fairy Tales Hair Care and TBH Kids CEO Risa Barish and COO Abbie MietzFormulating products for young beauty consumers requires understanding key aspects of ingredient safety and efficacy. With the rise of the Sephora Kids phenomenon at the start of 2024, Gen Alpha and Gen Z consumers are increasingly vocal about their expectations, adding new challenges and opportunities for kids’ brands. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we consider the unique personal care needs of kids, tweens, and teens, as well as the importance of meeting parents’ expectations when it comes to product efficacy and application methods. Our guests are Risa Barish and Abbie Mietz, CEO and COO (respectively), of tw...
2024-08-0628 min
COSMOFACTORYCell Culture Tech and Cosmetic Actives, featuring Rubisco Biotechnology Co-Founder and CEO José Pablo GarcíaBiotech cosmetic ingredient production methods are a promising alternative to both naturals and synthetics as we’ve understood them in the past. Which is why more and more often, beauty makers looking for environmentally sustainable supply chain solutions are choosing actives made using cell culture technology. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn about traceable ingredient production, plant cell technology, biodiversity preservation, competitive pricing strategy, and more. Our guest is José Pablo García, Co-Founder and CEO of Rubisco Biotechnology, a startup headquartered in Chile that specializes in the development, production, and marketing of high...
2024-07-3038 min
COSMOFACTORYCosmetic Brush Design and Manufacturing, featuring Anisa International Founder and CEO Anisa Telwar KaickerIt takes both hands-on craftsmanship and automated manufacturing processes to create quality makeup brushes and skincare application tools. Fiber extrusion, ferrule design, handle material, glue type, and other factors determine a brush’s functionality. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we explore the world of beauty brushes. Our guest is Anisa Telwar Kaicker, Founder and CEO of Anisa International, an industry leader in cosmetic brush design and manufacturing. Established as brush distribution business in 1992, the Atlanta, Georgia, US, company owns and operates production facilities in China and remains our industry’s only woman-owned brush manufacturer.
2024-07-2327 min
COSMOFACTORYBeauty Brands Distribution in the GCC and Indian Ocean Territories, featuring Division Manager for Beauty Distribution at Ali Bin Ali Holding Brooke BergéRetail buying and distribution for cosmetics and personal care involves a wide variety of skills: commercial awareness, market knowledge, relationship building, negotiation, an understanding of product trends, consumer behavior, and much more. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we learn what it takes to build a beauty division (spanning more than 20 countries) from the ground up. Our guest is Brooke Bergé, Division Manager for Beauty Distribution at Ali Bin Ali Holding, one of the largest retail and distribution companies in Qatar. The privately owned company was founded in 1945 and serves nearly 20 industry sectors in the re...
2024-07-1624 min
COSMOFACTORYCreating Personal Care Packaging, featuring Revlon Senior Director of Global Package Development and Engineering Tommy HammondEngineering cosmetic packaging is a complex process, one that relies on professionals who repeatedly invest their time, talent, and tenacity into moving from the concept stage through to commerce.This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we examine structural packaging design, the visual and tactical and practical aspects of design, sustainability in the package development process, the intersection of engineering and marketing, and more! Our guest is Tommy Hammond, Senior Director of Global Package Development and Engineering at Revlon, the legacy beauty company founded in 1932, by brothers Charles Revson and Joseph Revson, and chemist Charles Lachman. Today Revlon’s...
2024-07-0934 min
COSMOFACTORYTech-Powered Product Personalization and Skin Analysis, featuring Perfect Corp Chief Growth Officer and President Wayne LiuVirtual skin analysis and product try-on technologies continue to advance, even as AI and AR powered beauty tech has already reshaped consumer product discovery and retail experience across color cosmetics, skincare, and hair care. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we explore consumer-facing applications of Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence with one of the most impactful tech companies in beauty. Our guest is Wayne Liu, Chief Growth Officer and President of Perfect Corp, a Taiwan-based SaaS company with a global reach. Perfect Corp works with over 600 partners, empowering brands to embrace the digital-first world by tr...
2024-07-0234 min
COSMOFACTORYFinding Beauty in Bacteria, featuring Gallinée Microbiome Skincare Founder Marie DragoSkin microbiome science is disrupting how the cosmetics and personal care industry approaches product formulation, ingredient development, and ingredient testing. Knowledge of the brain-skin-gut axis is also influencing beauty supplements and neurocosmetics. This week on CosmoFactory, we look into microbiome beauty; cosmetic applications of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics; repurposing ingredients like inulin; skincare supplement development; finding the right supply chain partners, and more! Our guest is Marie Drago, Doctor in Pharmacy and Founder of Gallinée Microbiome Skincare. Launched in 2016, Gallinée was the first to focus on the microbiome, the skin, and the balance betw...
2024-06-2531 min
COSMOFACTORYConsumer Beauty Brands, International Trade, and Cultural Connectivity, featuring Nordic Beauty Inc CEO Johanna RönkköConsumer beauty brands, international trade, and cultural connectivity, featuring Nordic Beauty Inc CEO Johanna Rönkkö Every region within the global beauty economy has its own history, sensibility, technologies, and tastes. When consumer brands enter a new market, they become part of a dynamic exchange, inspiring further cultural awareness in and beyond the cosmetic industry. The Nordic countries are known for environmental sustainability, tech adoption, and business transparency. Nordic cosmetic and personal care brands tend toward simplicity and quality. In this episode of the CosmoFactory podcast we explore those dimensions of Nordi...
2024-06-1829 min
COSMOFACTORYThe collective process of skincare NPD, featuring FaceGym’s Senior New Product Development Manager Sinéad WhyteSkincare product development requires inspiration, an awareness of trends and consumer behavior, a talent for brand alignment, and knowledge of cosmetic science. Access to the global beauty industry supply chain is another helpful advantage. In this week’s episode of the CosmoFactory podcast, we discuss how one NPD professional approaches the job of developing not only new topical skincare products but also tool and device discovery. And we hear some of the practical and inspirational reasons why a comprehensive trade fair like Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna is a smart place to find ideas and partners for the...
2024-06-1133 min
COSMOFACTORYTransparency and Sustainability in Contract Manufacturing, featuring Ancorotti Cosmetics Communication Manager Arwen ImperatoriBeauty industry contract manufacturers are the product production partners of established multinationals, emerging startups, and every sort of beauty maker in between. CMs can also serve as innovation and formulation partners, developing new concepts and product formats as well as monitoring, forecasting, and even initiating trends. This week on the CosmoFactory podcast, we’re focusing on makeup, mascara, and skincare manufacturing; product innovation; the independent beauty movement; cosmetic industry transparency; sustainability in manufacturing; and more! Our guest is Arwen Imperatori, Communication Manager at Ancorotti Cosmetics S.p.A. Since the company’s founding in 2009, Ancorotti Cosmet...
2024-06-0530 min
COSMOFACTORYAdvancements in Packaging and Dispensing, featuring President at Aptar Beauty EMEA Xavier Susterac and Marketing Manager Aptar Beauty EMEA Delphine BonyCosmetic dispensing solutions are fundamental to the functionality of product packaging and to consumer experience. With sustainable beauty packaging in increasingly high demand from regulators, retailers, and other industry stakeholders, dispending specialists along the supply chain are innovating on every level. The week’s episode of the CosmoFactory podcast focuses on cosmetic packaging manufacturing; we discuss packaging materials, dispenser design, recyclability, reloadable packaging, and more! Our guests are Xavier Susterac, President at Aptar Beauty EMEA, and Delphine Bony, Marketing Manager Beauty EMEA at Aptar. The company known today at Aptar has over 75 years of experience in p...
2024-06-0526 min