Adapting products to Asian skins
The company first entered China in 1993 and successfully opened its first research lab in 2005. The Estée Lauder Companies’ brands currently sold in China include Estée Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Aramis, Origins and the licensed brands Tommy Hilfiger and Donna Karan. The products are sold in upscale department stores and perfumeries in 39 major Chinese cities. The company has also launched e-commerce sites in China for Clinique, Estée Lauder, La Mer and MAC.
China is a keystone in Estée Lauder’s strategy to become a global leader in prestige beauty, with high-end products and services available in all parts of the world. In order to develop products tailored to the specific needs of Chinese and Asian skin, the new centre will explore the genetic basis for differences in the response of human skin to environmental stressors and study the safety and efficacy of topical botanical and synthetic materials.
"Chinese consumers have very high standards regarding their skin care and serve as an inspiration to us in developing world-class products specifically tailored to Chinese and Asian skin," said Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Estée Lauder Companies’ Chinese Dermatologist Expert Panel, which includes dermatologists and researchers from the country’s top hospital, China Medical University, will continue to advise the company regarding scientific research and innovation.
Green chemistry
The Estée Lauder Companies Asia Innovation Centre will also focus on the company’s green chemistry program, in order to design and implement innovative processes to make products more environmentally sustainable during their full life cycle, from conception to end-user and beyond.
Estée Lauder’s green chemistry program includes applying sustainable practices such as energy conservation, recyclable packaging, waste reduction and limiting the amount of ingredients in product formulations.
