Core Insights - The total number of cosmetic registrations surged by 52.87% in April 2025 compared to March, reaching 38,261, with domestic non-special cosmetics dominating the market at 94.97% [1] - The implementation of the "Cosmetic Safety Assessment Technical Guidelines" has led to longer registration processes and increased costs, causing a structural decline in the number of registrations for various efficacy categories [1] - The market for functional skincare products is undergoing a structural adjustment, with a notable shift towards gentle ingredients and innovative raw materials [4][6] Market Dynamics - The market for efficacy-based skincare products in China expanded from 10.2 billion to 37 billion yuan from 2017 to 2022, with projections to reach 62.3 billion yuan by 2026 [2] - The registration of lip care products increased significantly, with a rise from 0.6% to 1.6% of total registrations, indicating a growing consumer demand for specific benefits such as wrinkle reduction and sensitivity relief [3] Ingredient Trends - Sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) led the active ingredient market with 16,400 registrations, benefiting from technological advancements that enhance its efficacy [4] - Traditional active ingredients like allantoin and Sophora flavescens extract saw a decline in demand, while natural oils like squalane and jojoba oil remained resilient [4] - The non-active ingredient market experienced a downward trend, with all ingredient registrations declining by 15.82% to 53.17% [4] Regulatory Environment - Local governments are exploring efficient service models to address the complexities of the registration process, with initiatives in Qingdao and Anhui aimed at reducing registration times and costs [6] - National policies are being released to support innovation in cosmetic ingredients, including provisions for simultaneous application of new ingredients and associated products [6] Innovation and Consumer Demand - The dual pressures of stringent regulations and rising costs are pushing the beauty industry towards "micro-innovation" rather than major overhauls, focusing on formula optimization and process upgrades [1][6] - There is a strong consumer demand for innovative and effective ingredients, indicating a shift in market dynamics where new raw materials are beginning to challenge traditional ingredients [4][6]

Core Viewpoint - The company Drunk Elephant will completely exit the Japanese market by June 30, 2024, including both online channels and six physical stores, less than four years after its introduction to Japan [2][3]. Group 1: Company Performance and Strategy - Drunk Elephant was acquired by Shiseido in 2019 for $845 million, with the expectation that it would become a key growth driver for the group [3][4]. - Initially, Drunk Elephant showed strong performance, contributing positively to Shiseido's financial results, with a 14% year-on-year growth in Q1 2020 despite declines in other brands [5][6]. - However, sales began to decline significantly, with a 25% drop in 2024 and a staggering 65% decline in Q1 2025, particularly in the Americas and Europe [5][7]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Challenges - The clean skincare market has become increasingly competitive, making it difficult for Drunk Elephant to maintain its market share [6][8]. - Shiseido has faced overall performance challenges, with a net sales figure of 990.586 billion yen in 2024, a 1.8% increase, but a significant drop in operating profit by 73.1% [7]. - The shift in consumer preference towards efficacy-driven skincare over clean skincare has further complicated Drunk Elephant's position in the market [8]. Group 3: Future Outlook - The exit from Japan is viewed as a strategic adjustment for Shiseido, allowing the company to focus resources on markets with better growth potential [7][8]. - There is uncertainty regarding whether Drunk Elephant will exit other markets, as Shiseido has not provided specific responses to these questions [8].