Inform 2 Seminars

An ampoule: once a sealed vial, now a treatment. Distinct terms highlight K-Beauty’s exceptional quality. Western brands have learned the language.

Learning Points

Explore how
1) K-Beauty uses “semantic shift” to define product exceptionalism
2) How Korean terminology drives product innovation for Western brands

Hair has traditionally been considered as dead the more futuristic view is looking at the living scalp and cortex for a highly personalised approach

Learning Points

1. The hair structure has both dead and living structural components that will affect claims and ingredient choices.
2. In the past hair was treated, with occlusive silicones and large hydrolysed proteins coating the hair and sealing the outside.
3. Currently we see the use of biotechnology creating smaller targeted amino acids to repair the cortex from within the hair and microbiome actives that support hair growth and scalp care
4. The future is the fast advancement of the haircare category with personlised microbiome and longevity by understanding the epigenetic biological signal molecules

Machine learning guides cosmetic formulation by optimizing ingredients and processes, accelerating sustainable product development.

Learning Points

• Understand adaptive experimental design for cosmetic R&D.
• Learn how to build useful models from routine lab data.
• Optimise multiple targets such as performance, cost and sustainability.
• Integrate machine learning into existing formulation workflows.

In vivo Raman spectroscopy for investigating molecular features and structure–function relationships in human skin

Learning Points

• In vivo skin analysis is technically challenging due to the skin’s heterogeneous structure, strong inter-individual variability, and the need to avoid invasive sampling while maintaining high spatial resolution.
• Raman spectroscopy enables non-invasive molecular measurements in living skin with micrometer-scale resolution, allowing direct investigation of biochemical composition and structure.
• Spectral analysis can quantify key skin parameters, such as lipid conformation and hydration profiles, and detect differences between individuals.
• In vivo Raman approaches provide a useful tool for studying skin structure–function relationships and for evaluating the penetration and effects of topical formulations

How Nextmol modeled 546 biopolymers computationally to predict glass transition temperature with AI and accelerate sustainable cosmetic formulation.

Learning Points

• How a hybrid computational approach, combining high-throughput Molecular Dynamics simulations with machine learning, encompasses the combinatorial complexity of biopolymer design.
  How to build a validated and reproducible workflow and dataset of 2,184 molecular dynamics simulations of 546 biopolymers.
  How to train and validate a machine learning model using molecular descriptors, and how to deploy it as a web tool for instant glass transition temperature prediction by lab scientists.
  The practical implications for sustainable cosmetic formulation: how this approach enables formulators to identify bio-based alternatives to synthetic polymers with targeted mechanical properties, faster and at a fraction of the experimental cost.

While AI saves time generating content, it also poses risks of misleading claims and increased burden on regulatory teams...

Learning Points

• Regulatory Risks of AI-Generated Content
  AI may use unverified or non-compliant sources (e.g., blogs, competitor content), leading to misleading or unsubstantiated product claims.
• Importance of Evidence-Based Claims
  Product claims must be unique, accurate, and supported by robust, scientific evidence—not inferred or copied from external content.
• Challenges in AI Translations
  AI-generated translations often ignore cultural context and local regulatory requirements, increasing the risk of non-compliance.
• Impact on Regulatory Workload
  Rather than reducing workload, poorly supervised AI use can create more work for regulatory teams needing to verify and correct content.
• Need for a Clear AI Use Framework
  Setting internal guidelines (e.g., prompt structure, approval processes) and using local AI tools can help ensure compliance and confidentiality.

Impact of the EU extended allergens declaration regulation on other markets which have/have not adopted this regulation.

Learning Points

• Which markets are following the EU
• Which markets are not following the EU update
• UK/EU divergence
• What does this mean for shared artwork
• Special focus on China as some allergens are not recognised in their current regs

Drawing on practical experiences, this presentation will provide advice on how brands can achieve compliance in a challenging landscape.

Learning Points

• Identify the key compliance areas all brands should be working on right now
• Understand the critical challenges and potential consequences related to these key regulatory topics
• Gain up-to-date insights on how to minimise or handle blockages and challenges
• Identify and prepare for the topics anticipated to dominate the compliance landscape in 2027

Exploring how undefined vegan terms and consumer expectations shape claims, highlighting the need for clarity + evidence to avoid misleading consumers

Learning Points

1. Recognise the absence of a legal definition of “vegan” across major markets
   Participants will learn that in key markets, including UK, the US, APAC and the Middle East have no statutory definition of “vegan,” meaning regulators fall back on general misleadingness tests and consumer interpretation when assessing vegan claims.
2. Understand the foundational definition of veganism and how it guides consumer expectations
   Drawing on established definitions (e.g., The Vegan Society), attendees will understand that veganism excludes animal derived ingredients and is widely interpreted by consumers as excluding all forms of animal testing, shaping how “vegan” claims are understood in practice.
3. Appreciate how regulatory bodies judge vegan and cruelty free claims in the absence of definitions
   Participants will explore how organisations such as the ASA, FTC, and regulators in APAC and the Middle East assess claims based on the likely consumer interpretation, making clarity around both ingredients and testing essential.
4. Identify how consumer expectations around veganism and non animal testing exceed formal regulation
   The session will demonstrate that although “vegan” and “cruelty free” are separate concepts legally, consumers consistently merge the two - creating risk where definitions are unclear or not supported by evidence.
5. Understand why transparent evidence of ingredient origin and non animal testing is critical
   Delegates will learn why regulators expect robust documentation to support both aspects of veganism - ingredient status and testing status - to avoid misleading claims in diverse global markets.

How do we navigate beauty innovation in times of social, political and environmental change?

Learning Points

• What is appropriate? What is practical? What is needed? What is superfluous?
• I will be examining key beauty trends in the light of the world we find ourselves in 2025 and trying to make sense of them from a consumer and commercial point of view.

Helping indie beauty founders understand compliance, avoid legal pitfalls, and create safe, ethical products for the UK and EU markets.

Learning Points

• Understand the legal responsibilities required to sell cosmetic products in the UK and EU.
• Learn how to build a compliant formulation and prepare a complete Product Information File (PIF).
• Identify common compliance mistakes made by indie beauty founders—and how to avoid them.
• Gain clarity on labelling, portal registration, and the role of the Responsible Person (RP).
• Feel empowered to launch with confidence while protecting consumers, the environment, and your brand.

To guide cosmetic brands in building consumer trust through transparent, verifiable, and EU Green claims directive compliant product claims.

Learning Points

• The Current Landscape: Claims vs. Reality
  Consumers demand honest and ethical branding.
  Misleading terms like “natural,” “clean,” or “dermatologist-recommended” erode trust if not properly backed.
• Common Cosmetic Claims
  Environmental: vegan, cruelty-free, recyclable/refillable packaging, sustainably sourced.
  Performance: reduces wrinkles, evens skin tone, boosts hydration—must be supported by clinical or lab data.
• Greenwashing in Cosmetics
  Case study: Misuse of “natural” claims without meeting content thresholds.
  EU’s Green Claims Directive is tightening standards for sustainability marketing.Greenwashing in Cosmetics
  Case study: Misuse of “natural” claims without meeting content thresholds.
  EU’s Green Claims Directive is tightening standards for sustainability marketing.
• Consumer Pain Points
  Confusing labels
  Overuse of vague or unregulated terms
  Lack of substantiated claims
  Hidden synthetic ingredients
• Digital Tools to Boost Trust
  Trends, examples and new ideas.