A nine-time CES Innovation Award honoree, L’Oréal’s keynote at CES will demonstrate how the company’s ongoing technology transformation ensures that it remains prepared for a future of its business that is at once physical, digital, and virtual.

L’Oréal’s keynote will showcase the role that sustainable, accessible, and inclusive beauty tech plays in driving positive impact at an individual and collective level—from a sustainable shower head that leverages rocket technology to conserve water and AI-powered mobile applications that provide skincare guidance to augmented reality makeup try-ons and new codes and forms of beauty expression in virtual environments.

L’Oréal knows that technology, powered by advanced data and AI capabilities, is an essential tool for creating powerful new connections and experiences for its consumers by solving their long-standing beauty challenges and offering them limitless tools for discovery, self-expression, and personalization.

“Beauty is a timeless pursuit and technology adds to its enjoyment while unlocking a world of possibilities,” said Hieronimus in an announcement from the Consumer Technology Association, which owns and produces CES. “The first wave of beauty tech changed how people discover, evaluate, and buy beauty products. More recently, we’ve seen how it can better serve the underserved, by democratizing skin health and increasing access to self-expression through innovations like HAPTA for people with limited arm mobility. This is just the beginning. L’Oréal envisions a future where no one feels left out by beauty trends, because they will have the power to create their own trends—whenever, wherever—with products and tools inspired by their own stories, experiences and identity.” 

L’Oréal, which has unveiled new consumer technology at CES every year for nearly a decade, released its inclusive beauty tech innovation HAPTA at CES 2023. The world’s first handheld computerized makeup applicator, this motion-stabilizing device assists those who have difficulty raising their arms due to limited mobility issues, people with limited grip strength, and anyone with limited wrist mobility who may find it difficult to get a comfortable angle when applying lipstick or mascara. 

“We are thrilled to welcome our first beauty company to the keynote stage to highlight innovation in the beauty tech category,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CTA. “L’Oréal has a powerful story to tell of its vision for what’s next for beauty, and how technology enables it to meet the needs of its consumers and outperform the beauty industry today and prepare it for the consumer revolutions of the future.”

Earlier award-winning highlights from L’Oréal at CES include wearables for detecting one’s individual exposure to the sun’s harmful rays and handheld devices that dispense personalized makeup and hair color at home. Over the years, L’Oréal has built a powerful global ecosystem of technology partnerships with startups, tech powerhouses, and academic institutions, has invested billions in its in-house research and innovation capabilities, and invested in a worldwide network of startups through its Open Innovation model through startup accelerators like Station F in France and through its BOLD venture capital fund. 

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Social Media Filters Blur Skincare Reality for Gen Z

A report titled “Back to School: Unfiltered,” from Curology, a dermatologist-founded personalized prescription skincare company, offered insights into the anxieties of Gen Z high school and college students aged 14-22 with respect to social-media filters and their skin.

The skincare company conducted a survey of 2,000 American teens and young adults to understand their mindset when it comes to social media, mental health, and acne.

When thinking of going back to school, nearly 3 in 4 students (72%) reported feeling the pressure to look “perfect” by higher beauty standards they believe have been set by social media. A quarter (25%) said they’re not comfortable sharing their bare face on social media without makeup or facial filters. In fact, those who use filters to alter their appearance were 22% more likely to report having back-to-school anxiety than students who don’t alter their photos—indicating young people could be using facial filters as a “social crutch,” which when taken away, creates anxiety.

“With the rise of social media filters, students today are under more pressure to look ‘perfect’ than ever before,” said Curology CEO Heather Wallace. “Struggling with acne and other skin issues can be a deeply emotional experience. Our goal at Curology is to encourage students to feel comfortable and confident in their skin. With access to our licensed dermatology providers and effective treatments, we aim to provide students with skincare that actually works.”

The report revealed a generation who feels pressured by ideas of beauty that are unachievable without the aid of social filters, and their mental health is paying the price, according to Curology.

Fears about removing the “digital shield” afforded by social media facial filters are especially pronounced for those with acne. Being exposed to overly unrealistic social media facial filters and digital enhancements, teens and young adults can have anxieties about interacting with peers in-real-life, without digital barriers. Notable report findings include:

• Acne is the top reason students edit their appearance with social filters;
• 75% of respondents said they believe beauty standards are much higher due to the use of filters on social media;
• Those with severe acne were almost twice as likely as those with almost clear skin to be concerned about “living up to” the image they’ve created for themselves online (20% vs 11%);
• Over half of students with acne (59%) report being nervous about both making new friends and socializing in person when they go back to school;
• Nearly 4 in 5 respondents (77%) agreed that having clear skin makes them feel confident and empowered;
• More than one in three respondents (37%) wish they could “walk around with a facial filter on in-real-life”; and
• 77% of students said they were interested in improving their skin as part of their overall wellness.

Supporting students’ skincare journeys is part of Curology’s mission to make effective skincare accessible for all. This includes Curology’s Access Program, a monthly program through which Curology provides a credit of up to $485 to 200 teenagers from families that qualify for the National School Lunch Program or young adults who provide documentation of financial need. To date, over 6,000 people have benefitted from the program, according to the company, marking an almost $3 million investment from the brand.

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Wellness Company Regenrus Partners with Former NFL QB Donovan McNabb

Regenrus, an integrative wellness company that earned Certified B Corp status in 2021, has formed a new partnership with former Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback and NFL Star, Donovan McNabb. The collaboration formalized when both McNabb and Regenrus realized the values they share with family, philanthropy, and health.

As a family-owned business, Regenrus focuses on the wellbeing of people, animals, and the planet. With each purchase of its organic supplements, line of certified non-toxic skincare products, and holistic wellness services, the company donates a minimum of 4% of all monthly sales to charities around the world.

McNabb founded The Donovan McNabb Foundation in 2000 to honor his close family members diagnosed with diabetes and he continues to partner with other family and health-focused businesses working toward greater wellness. Of Regenrus, McNabb stated, “After 13 years as an NFL quarterback, I understand how difficult it can be to find high-quality, all-natural supplements.” He added, “I found a 3-in-1 bundle by Regenrus, and it’s been absolutely life-changing.”

“This partnership is a significant milestone for us, as we join forces with a true champion, exemplifying the values and dedication to excellence that we strive for in our products and mission,” said Cindy Love-Tysinger, founder and chief culture officer at Regenrus. “Donovan is a true leader and we’re proud to have his endorsement of Regenrus and our products.”

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Glossier’s 2023 Grant Program for Black-Owned Beauty Businesses

Glossier’s vision is to change how the world sees beauty—and that means changing the industry itself. The Glossier Grant Program invests in Black beauty entrepreneurs to address legacies of inequity, exclusion, and barriers to fundraising. Since 2020, Glossier has given $1.4 million to this program, partnered with 35+ founders leading 30+ innovative beauty brands in the U.S. and UK, sharing grant funding, curated business programming, resources and time.

After months of review, including a final panel with Glossier’s CMO Kleo Mack, Chief Creative Officer Marie Suter, and Into the Gloss Editorial Director Ashley Weatherford, Glossier’s 2023 Grantees range from halal-certified skincare to feminine hygiene to wellness.

Glossier said it would spend four months in partnership with these founders, pairing them with a Glossier advisor for mentorship, giving access to business programming, and participating in 1:1 meetings with Glossier’s CEO Kyle Leahy, experts across the company, grantee alumni, and even with Glossier’s community of partners like Shopify and Google.

Here are the 2023 Glossier Grantees:

• Founded by Jordan Karim, Flora & Noor purports to be the only halal-certified skincare brand made and based in the U.S. It’s an inclusive, vegan skincare brand for those who appreciate clean skincare, those needing to treat the skin concerns of melanin-rich skin, and those with chronic skin conditions starting with eczema and hyperpigmentation.
• Founders OB/GYN Dr. Barb and ex-Pharmaceutical Sales Consultant, Kimba created Kushae with a mission to whip up effective yet gentle, pH-balanced and naturally-based feminine care products—created by women, for women.
• Mela Vitamins is the world’s first vitamin designed for melanated people. Melanin impacts the way bodies produce certain nutrients, which creates unique nutritional needs that other multivitamins don’t prioritize. Founder Ashley Harmon was inspired to create the brand after her own health issues led her to learn that 80% of Black Americans are vitamin D deficient.
• Moodeaux believes self-expression is the best self-care. This fragrance brand was founded by Brianna Arps in 2021 to introduce a new standard: longer-lasting, skin-nurturing, earth-friendly blends that give subpar scents, questionable ingredients, and wasteful packaging the side eye.
• Of Other Worlds is a different kind of beauty brand that doesn’t make you choose between “clean” and clinical. Founder Simedar Jackson (they/them) became an esthetician to join the ranks of skincare professionals making treatments safe and effective for all skin tones, body types, and genders.
• Soss makes elevating grooming essentials for Black men. Founders Vernon Yancy and Jeremiah Regis translate love of self into uplifting and affirming grooming routines to help you embrace who you are, and welcome who you are growing to be.

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Amenity Kit from United Airlines Features Skincare Products from Venus Williams-Backed Brand

Travelers flying United Business on the airline’s premium transcontinental domestic routes will be the first to experience new amenity kits that feature exclusive products from Venus Williams-backed wellness brand Asutra. The airline also introduced new amenity kits for United First passengers traveling between the continental U.S. and Hawaii, including skincare from Hawaiian brand Ua Body. United distributes transcontinental and Hawaii amenity kits to approximately 65,000 total passengers per month.

“We’re really proud of these amenity kits—fantastic new partners, exclusive products and high-end ingredients. Our customers are going to love them,” said Peter Wolkowski, United director of onboard product design. “These kits, customized for our transcontinental and Hawaii-bound travelers, are just the latest way we’re working to make the travel experience even better at United.”

Created with Asutra, the new United premium transcontinental amenity kits offer cruelty-free skincare made without any parabens, phthalates, or petroleum and are designed to help the cross-country flier unwind and feel refreshed upon landing, according to the airline. Each kit includes an Asutra cleansing face towelette, lip balm, hand lotion made with magnesium, mango seed butter, coconut oil, and almond oil. All held in a reusable, Asutra-branded pouch, the kit also includes a bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste, Asutra eye mask and ear plugs to help passengers rest onboard. The pouch and eye mask are made with recycled materials and a card inside the pouch offers inspiration for self-care practices while traveling.

“As a women-owned, Chicago-based company, we are thrilled to partner with our hometown airline, United Airlines. Our mission at Asutra is to make self-care a possibility for everyone through accessible wellness products,” said Stephanie Morimoto, Asutra owner and CEO. “From personal experience, I know that taking care of yourself intentionally while traveling can be challenging. This new amenity kit gives travelers an easy, enjoyable way to take care of themselves while on their journey and arrive refreshed.”

The new United Hawaii amenity kits bring the islands to flyers before landing, with skincare from Ua Body, a brand owned, operated, and made in Hawaii. Each kit includes a moisturizing lip balm, hand cream, and a face mist featuring local scents like sandalwood, jasmine, and coconut, and local ingredients like Kukui oil and Organic Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood oil. Each kit also includes an eye mask made with recycled materials plus a bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste, and ear plugs.

“We’re honored to be working with such a powerful partner in United, and proud to continue showcasing our Hawaiian heritage to the world through our handcrafted products,” said Leala Humbert, founder/CEO of Ua Body.

The reusable Hawaii amenity kit pouch features artwork from local artist Christie Shinn. The pouch, made with recycled materials, comes in four different designs featuring the local landscape to excite and inspire travelers to the islands.

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BASF Develops New Grade of Retinol Without BHA and BHT

To meet growing demand for more clean-conscious beauty solutions, BASF has developed Retinol 50, which does not include BHA or BHT, and is therefore better aligned with industry clean beauty lists.

BHA and BHT are considered ingredients of concern among some consumers and have been included on many clean beauty lists in the personal care industry such as Clean at Sephora and Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty.

“With the addition of Retinol 50 to our portfolio, BASF continues to meet consumer and industry requirements for clean-conscious beauty products,” said Nader Mahmoud, vice president business management for personal care North America. “As a key supplier of retinol to the market, BASF Care Chemicals must continue to optimize our portfolio and innovate for the market demands of today and the future.”

Innovation in the retinol space remains a focus for BASF, according to the company. Retinol 50 is the most recent addition to BASF’s portfolio of retinol offerings. These include grades suitable for different use cases, allowing formulators to make selections based on their desired claim space and target demographic.

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Levagen+ PEA Helps Target ‘Inflammaging’ in Topical Applications

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous fatty acid amide produced naturally in the body in response to injury and stress. With age, the production of PEA decreases, which could allow for unbalanced levels of inflammation and a decreased immune system. Gencor has developed a dispersible version of PEA, branded Levagen+, powered by Pharamako Biotechnologies LipiSperse delivery technology, which helps increase the bioavailability and functionality of PEA for use in beauty applications.

Levagen+ helps target “inflammaging,” which refers to the chronic, low-grade inflammation associated with age-related changes in the skin, the company said. Common signs are uneven skin tone, dullness, fine lines, and dehydration.

Upscale brands like LYMA Skincare have included Levagen+ in their breakthrough skincare line to improve elasticity, reduce redness, protect against oxidative stress-induced damage, and help slow the skin’s immunological dysregulation through the skin’s Extracellular Matrix (ECM).

“We refer to Levagen+ as the body’s natural defense system. PEA is a powerful ingredient that can be applied in several health categories from beauty to sports nutrition,” said R.V. Venkatesh, co-founder at Gencor. “We are excited and humbled that cosmetic brands are utilizing Levagen+ for its ability to aid in a healthy inflammatory response, protect from oxidative stress, and improve skin appearance.”

Levagen+ can be applied in several formats, including gels, creams, effervescents, powders, and more, according to the company.