Grecian Formula marketer Combe likens the process and calculations that informed FDA’s final rule against lead acetate to “a child’s game of telephone.” Environmental Defense Fund warns that if FDA grants Combe’s request – which the NGO suspects is unavoidable – it intends to cross-examine the company’s witnesses about consumer complaints and their handling in the firm’s past.

According to the NGO, not only are animals continuing to suffer in testing the Cosmetics Regulation’s animal-testing prohibitions were designed to eliminate, cruelty-free brands are having an increasingly difficult time avoiding animal-tested ingredients due to failings in the European Chemicals Agency’s administration of REACH.

With no end to the partial shutdown in sight, public safety concerns are mounting along with anxiety among furloughed employees. FDA Commissioner Gottlieb remains a vibrant presence on social media, working to maintain staff morale and reassure the public that critical agency functions carry on.

Lawmakers already are taking action to ban sales of oxybenzone- and octinoxate-containing sunscreens due to signals, however questionable, that the ingredients pose dangers to coral health. Now a new study suggests that octocrylene could be a concern as well.

On par with 2017, the Personal Care Products Council was tracking more than 300 state bills last year with potential implications for its members, including measures ultimately enacted by California and Hawaii to deter cosmetic animal testing and ban environmentally questionable sunscreens.

Despite repeated stakeholder assertions of being “closer than ever” to modernizing cosmetics regulations, the 115^th Congress ended with reform legislation stranded in committee. The Personal Care Products says midterm elections diverted lawmakers’ attention from unresolved issues, likely including possible preemption terms to put a lid on growing state and local requirements.

J&J shares are down nearly 12% since Reuters reported Dec. 14 that the firm has known for decades about toxic asbestos in its Johnson’s Baby Powder talc. The news outlet’s probe turned up nothing that hasn’t been raised by plaintiff attorneys, but throws the central issues of contention into high relief for its global audience.

Henkel’s Sexy Hair Concepts and Ulta will settle with plaintiffs over alleged “sulfate-free” deception, to the tune of $2.3m; Unilever’s Dermalogica is suing Target for unauthorized selling of diverted products. More cosmetics news in brief.

L’Occitaine’s $900m Elemis buy will build out the manufacturer/retailer’s premium, natural-oriented beauty portfolio, adding a prestige brand that aspires to be a leader in global skin care with its nature/science balance and cross-generational consumer appeal.

GSK further narrows consumer health focus with sale to Crown Labs of North American distribution rights for PanOxyl acne wash, Sarna anti-itch lotion, Zeasorb anti-fungal product, Desenex athlete’s foot treatment and Mineral Ice pain-relieving gel. Deals also helps UK pharma pay for its $5.1bn acquisition of oncology drug firm Tesaro.

P&G names Merck KGAA consumer chief Uta Kemmerich-Keil to lead international division of personal health business as it closes on $4.2bn acquisition of German firm's consumer business. Deal closes a month after P&G announced biggest changes to organizational structure in 20 years, including combining personal care and health care into personal health and forming six global units, each headed by a CEO.

L’Occitaine’s $900m Elemis buy will build out the manufacturer/retailer’s premium, natural-oriented beauty portfolio, adding a prestige brand that aspires to be a leader in global skin care with its nature/science balance and cross-generational consumer appeal.

Most US women ages 18-34 who take a supplement do so for beauty benefits, finds Mintel in a survey. Natural Marketing Institute says with science increasing understanding of nutrients, firms should offer supplements that address symptoms of common conditions consumers are treating with drugs.

Despite positive impacts from its Hydro 5 Sense and Intuition f.a.b. razor launches, Edgewell’s global Wet Shave business declined in the fourth quarter and full fiscal 2018. The firm remains focused on slashing costs, an effort that wasn’t helped by a Q4 charge related to REACH ingredient substitution.

Revlon responds to continued net losses with a cost-cutting plan, which will include headcount reductions; Coty is optimistic that CoverGirl momentum, including the launch of a flagship store in Times Square, will help buoy its struggling Consumer Beauty business. Meanwhile, L’Oreal/La Roche-Posay introduces a wearable UV sensor, and IFF-LMR promotes its vegan-certified natural extracts.

Coty reported Nov. 7 a Q1 revenue decline of 9.2% due to a constellation of supply-chain issues and continued Consumer Beauty weakness. Less than a week later – and two years after its completion of a $12bn merger with P&G’s beauty business – the firm announces Pierre Laubies as CEO, evidently drawn to his experience integrating combined assets at a Dutch coffee company.

P&G, J&J/Neutrogena and L’Oreal/La Roche-Posay are among firms exhibiting technologies at the Consumer Electronics Showcase in Las Vegas that provide personalized skin benefits.

“Understanding that inclusivity goes far beyond shade ranges, Full Spectrum was developed with the unique shade AND skin needs of multicultural women in mind,” according to a Coty/CoverGirl rep. The line is available now at Ulta.com, with a wider rollout planned for February 2019.

Trade group Cosmetics Europe launched an education and advocacy campaign in 2018 to address industry’s shrinking preservative palette, which many believe has reached “crisis proportions." Stateside, 2018 saw growing movement in the development and use of alternative preservative systems, while Cosmetic Ingredient Review activity accelerated around conventional go-tos.

Chart: The statuses of safety assessments following the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel’s Dec. 3-4 meeting in Washington.

UK firm Perfect Cosmetics advised to discontinue claims suggesting regulators endorse its My Perfect Eyes skin care products. Marketer also advised to discontinue claims its product could banish and eradicate wrinkles.