The first month of 2024 is almost over, and beauty and personal care companies are now gearing up for an exciting year full of innovative ingredient launches, interesting industry trends, and more. Recently, Cosmetics Design had the opportunity to reflect on 2023 and look ahead to next year with NYSCC’s 2024 Chair, Dr. Amber O. Evans.
From trends in biotechnology and minimalism to overcoming challenges in sustainability and economic factors, NYSCC’s ‘Theme of the Year’ ‘Inspire. Innovate. celebrate’And the thought process behind it is not limited to 2024,” Dr. Evans said. To hear more of her insights, including upcoming events and educational opportunities, enjoy the following interview:
CDU: Looking ahead to the year ahead, do you have any thoughts about 2023?
Dr. Evans: 2023 was a very exciting year for the cosmetics industry. We have seen an increase in product offerings and consumer interest in various categories, advances in component technology, a shift to science being at the forefront of product development and marketing, and regulatory advances. did.
The harmony of beauty and health from a holistic perspective resonated with consumers. NYSCC embarked on a thoughtful and impactful journey to ‘rethink regeneration and health’ to capture this essence. I am hopeful and looking forward to continued progress in the industry in 2024 and beyond.
CDU: What are you most looking forward to at NYSCC in 2024?
Dr. Evans: This year marks a significant milestone for NYSCC, which marks 70 years of influencing the cosmetics industry by promoting advances in cosmetic science and raising the profile of cosmetics professionals. With that milestone in mind, we’re excited to bring our theme to life. “Inspire. Innovate. Celebrate.”We bring it to life through relevant and diverse programs, engaging membership experiences, celebrations of accomplishments and new initiatives designed to inspire and empower.
The basis of our efforts is to draw inspiration from other STEM fields and adjacent industries to foster thinking about technological advancement and innovation in cosmetics. The spirit of cross-fertilization and blue-sky thinking will shape the future of 45thMay 1st and 2nd are our annual Supplier Days.
CDU: What do you think is the biggest issue currently facing the cosmetics and personal care products industry and why?
Dr. Evans: The two biggest issues facing our industry are sustainability and economic factors. While great progress has been made in sustainability-related efforts, there is still a little more to be done in terms of identifying and implementing additional solutions that further address topics such as waste (all aspects), raw material sourcing, and consumer education. We need to move forward.
Environmental protection is now a top priority among all stakeholders, from developers to consumers, and I am optimistic about the future. Finally, challenging economic conditions are impacting businesses and consumers this year. In the future, consumers are likely to shop more intentionally, which means more focus on ingredients, performance, versatility, and value.
Both issues are critical for cosmetics industry professionals, who need to improve business strategy and technology with the ultimate goal of meeting consumer needs and delivering differentiated products with less environmental impact throughout their lifecycle. Provides an opportunity to rethink strategy.
CDU: How does NYSCC intend to address these issues?
Dr. Evans: We employ a combination of practical actions and educational resources, keeping in mind that any level of effort can help move the needle and stimulate the potential for greater change. For example, for the first time, the annual Earth Day program will include service activities in addition to sustainability-related presentations. This is one of the few ways NYSCC contributes to sustainability efforts with action. Through our newly commissioned Outreach Committee, we envision fostering opportunities to help reduce product waste while supporting communities in need.
When it comes to education, we will expand our efforts to inform and improve current and future cosmetics industry professionals. We offer programs in related areas such as sustainability, biotechnology and diverse market segments, in addition to facilitating connections and knowledge transfer from other fields and sectors.
Building mutually beneficial partnerships with other organizations is key. NYSCC helps inspire new possibilities in sustainable product development by cultivating a highly qualified, interdisciplinary talent pool.
CDU: How does 2024 fit into NYSCC’s five-year progress plan?
Dr. Evans: Building on this chapter’s legacy and its role in advancing cosmetic science, we are allocating additional resources and implementing initiatives that impact our industry and community.
This year’s theme is “Inspire. Innovate. Celebrate.”And the thought process behind it is not limited to 2024. That aspect can still be applied in the future when considering the future of the branch. Staying open-minded, willing to take risks, and looking for solutions and opportunities outside of your expertise will help you innovate from both an industry and organizational perspective.
We continue to expand our portfolio of empowering resources for students, professionals, and educational institutions. These include scholarships and grants, hands-on training through Future Chemists workshops and camps, cosmetology career support events, mentor-mentee programs, and more.
We also continue to strategically grow Suppliers Day to new levels through our strengthened network of partnerships and exciting programming, while continuing to deliver impactful, value-added experiences for our participants. I guarantee you that. Supplier Day, to be held at the Javits Center in New York this May, will be our largest to date.
The exhibit floor will be packed to capacity with more than 550 global exhibitors featuring high-performance ingredients, formulations, and end-to-end services and solutions. We are now on track to work with expanded industry partnerships to reach the largest international audience with representatives from over 73 countries and deliver over 100 hours of education.
CDU: What predictions do you have for the biggest trends in the beauty industry in 2024?
Dr. Evans: The following areas come to mind.
beauty technology:
The use of advanced engineering, AI, and AR in various aspects of our industry is creating new opportunities for personalization/customization, solving unique challenges, new tools, and improving the overall beauty care experience. will continue to produce.
biotechnology:
Biotechnology continues to be at the forefront of developing new ingredients for advanced performance and sustainability.
Category shift:
While the category is clearly blurred, it seems to be expected now that ideas about the mind-body connection and other aspects of a holistic perspective have begun to resonate with consumers. We will continue to see both the convergence of categories such as beauty and wellness and the elevation of previously taboo categories such as intimate care.
Minimalism:
Consumers will continue to show interest in simplifying their beauty regimens. They will embrace hybrid products and new formats, but versatility and effectiveness will be key.
Science communication:
This reflects a shift in product marketing towards a more science-first approach when it comes to ingredients and performance, and a positive contribution to dispelling misinformation by educating consumers about the realities of cosmetics and products. The growing power of qualified psychocom influencers is twofold. Relevant topics based on facts. We are likely to move further into an era of transparency and focus.
CDU: As the MoCRA enforcement deadline takes effect, what is your advice to cosmetics and personal care product companies regarding compliance activities?
Dr. Evans: Cosmetic and personal care product companies should consult with qualified regulatory professionals and establish systems with appropriate checks and balances to ensure they take the necessary steps for full compliance.
Cosmetic industry professionals of all backgrounds and positions should maintain awareness and reasonable understanding of MoCRA by taking advantage of the various resources available through organizations such as the FDA, SGS, and trusted organizations. . For example, IBA and NYSCC will be hosting a free webinar, “MoCRA: Tips for Compliance and Preparation,” featuring MoCRA experts on January 31st.cent.
CDU: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dr. Evans: The cosmetics and personal care industry is a dynamic field full of opportunities. These are exciting times as we strive to produce next-level products that meet or exceed consumer expectations for experience, performance, safety, and sustainability. NYSCC is dedicated to contributing to the advancement of the field through education and service in 2024. www.nyscc.orgCheck out everything this chapter has to offer.
