Core Viewpoint - The article discusses how certain brands perceived as domestic in China are actually owned by American companies, highlighting the impact of U.S. tariffs and the complexities of global capitalism in consumer perception [2][26]. Group 1: Brand Analysis - Shuanghui, once a true Chinese brand, was acquired by Goldman Sachs in 2006 for $2 billion, and later its parent company, WH Group, purchased Smithfield Foods, marking its transition to a global food giant [4][6]. - Despite the U.S.-China trade war, Shuanghui remains unaffected due to its localized production and supply chain, with 2024 sales exceeding 60 billion yuan [8]. - The brand continues to market itself as a "national brand," misleading consumers into believing it is still a purely domestic enterprise [8]. Group 2: Dabo Brand Case - Dabo SOD Honey, a well-known skincare product, was acquired by Johnson & Johnson for 2.3 billion yuan in 2008, altering its brand identity while maintaining its market presence [10][12]. - Post-acquisition, Dabo retained its original packaging and pricing strategy, allowing it to continue appealing to middle and lower-income consumers [12]. - The brand's production is fully localized, making it resilient to tariff impacts and positioning it as a cost-effective alternative to imported skincare products [12][14]. Group 3: Harbin Beer - Harbin Beer, originally founded by Russian merchants, was acquired by Anheuser-Busch in 2004, and its control eventually passed to European capital [16][18]. - The brand employs a marketing strategy that emphasizes "Chinese elements," misleading consumers into thinking it remains a domestic brand [18]. - Harbin Beer has successfully avoided tariff impacts due to its local production and sourcing, with sales exceeding 1.8 million tons in the previous year [20]. Group 4: Little Sheep - Little Sheep, a popular hot pot chain, was privatized by Yum Brands in 2012 for nearly 4.6 billion Hong Kong dollars, leading to a reduction in store numbers from over 700 to less than 300 by 2024 [22][24]. - Despite the decrease in store count, the brand's profitability remained stable due to integration into Yum's supply chain, which standardized production and maintained flavor consistency [24]. - Little Sheep's marketing emphasizes its "grassland genes" and "Chinese cuisine," reinforcing its image as a domestic brand [24]. Group 5: Consumer Awareness - The article emphasizes the blurred lines of brand nationality in a globalized economy, where profits are the primary focus, and consumers may unknowingly support foreign-owned brands [26]. - It calls for consumers to be more discerning and informed about the ownership of the products they purchase, rather than relying solely on emotional marketing [26].

Core Insights - The skincare market in China is experiencing rapid growth driven by young consumers, particularly in the anti-aging segment, which has surpassed 200 billion yuan in scale [1][4] - Major beauty brands like Naturer and Dabao are actively targeting this demographic by launching products specifically designed for young consumers [1][2] Group 1: Market Trends - The anti-aging market in China is growing at a double-digit rate, with over 70% of buyers for certain products being aged 18 to 30 [1] - A significant portion of consumers starting to pay attention to anti-aging products are aged 26 to 35 (53.2%) and 18 to 25 (23.2%) [4] Group 2: Brand Strategies - Dabao has achieved recognition as the top skincare brand in terms of consumer numbers in China, leveraging its classic products like SOD cream to attract younger audiences [1] - Naturer has successfully expanded its product offerings on platforms like Pinduoduo, focusing on men's skincare and anti-aging products, resulting in a sales increase of three to four times in 2023 [7][10] Group 3: Product Innovations - Dabao's A Retinol Nourishing Lotion has quickly gained popularity among young consumers, with sales exceeding tens of thousands shortly after its launch on Pinduoduo [4][6] - Naturer's ice muscle polypeptide product achieved sales of 60 million yuan within eight months of its launch on Pinduoduo, indicating strong market demand [10] Group 4: Marketing and Consumer Engagement - Naturer has effectively utilized digital marketing strategies, including video content that highlights product efficacy, leading to a significant increase in brand recognition and consumer engagement [9][10] - The brand's dedicated content team has been instrumental in driving sales through targeted marketing campaigns, resulting in a 20% annual growth in followers on Pinduoduo [9]

Core Viewpoint - The beauty industry is experiencing an "enzyme ingredient revolution" with domestic brands innovating and focusing on enzyme-based skincare products, indicating a shift in consumer preferences towards gentler and more effective solutions [4][14][25]. Group 1: Enzyme Ingredients in Skincare - Enzymes have been a "silent hero" in cosmetic formulations, with 31 types of enzyme ingredients already used in effective registered cosmetics, with superoxide dismutase (SOD) leading with 15,285 registrations [6][12]. - Major brands like Proya and Marubi are incorporating SOD and other enzymes like coenzyme Q10 and papain into their products, highlighting the growing trend of enzyme usage in skincare [11][21]. - The focus on composite enzymes, such as Proya's "3X Smart Enzyme," aims to provide a dual benefit of effective exfoliation and gentle repair, catering to consumer demands for non-irritating skincare solutions [15][23]. Group 2: Market Trends and Consumer Insights - The demand for enzyme-based products is driven by consumers seeking effective yet gentle solutions for skin concerns, particularly for oily skin types and sensitive skin [23][25]. - The global enzyme preparation market is projected to grow to $15 billion by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 3.61% from 2025 to 2035, indicating a stable growth trajectory for enzyme-based products [39]. - The enzyme market is highly concentrated, with five companies, including Novozymes and DuPont, holding about 75% of the global market share, reflecting the competitive landscape [40]. Group 3: Technological Advancements and Challenges - Advances in biotechnology are enhancing the stability and efficacy of enzyme ingredients, with companies employing gene editing and nanotechnology to improve product performance [41][43]. - Despite the potential, challenges remain in enzyme application due to their large molecular size and sensitivity to environmental factors, which complicates their formulation in cosmetics [36][37]. - The industry is facing a dual bottleneck: insufficient technical conversion in production and a lack of consumer awareness regarding enzyme benefits, which hinders market penetration [44][45]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The trend of "using enzymes instead of acids" is emerging, suggesting a potential coexistence of enzyme and acid products in the market, each serving different consumer needs [46][47]. - The establishment of standards for enzyme-based skincare products is underway, which may enhance product credibility and consumer trust in enzyme efficacy [47].