Global Unilever brands Dove, Vaseline, POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE and CLEAR unite to tackle misinformation in skincare and haircare

_{Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing brands come together at 25th World Congress of Dermatology with immersive House of Beauty & Wellbeing: Science Edition}

04 July 2023, Singapore - Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing welcomed over a hundred world-leading dermatologists to its immersive House of Beauty & Wellbeing: Science Edition to shine a spotlight on the problem of misinformation and pseudo-science within the skincare and haircare industry. The event took place at Capella Manors in Singapore, on the sidelines of the 25th World Congress of Dermatology.

House of Beauty & Wellbeing: Science Edition encouraged guests to help improve the beauty industry’s social media landscape by sharing #DermFacts. This initiative calls attention to the importance of transmitting scientific information in skincare and haircare communications to consumers. It follows findings by Unilever brand Simple (‘The Simple Truth Report’) that 80% agree that misinformation is rife in the sector, while 73% feel as though social media can be a source of confusion. As a result, 87% of consumers are demanding change.¹

Benjie Yap, Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing Southeast Asia General Manager and Philippines Chairman & CEO shared, “Every Unilever product is an innovation made by product experts in collaboration with our network of partners. We translate science into products that address our consumers’ concerns and needs, with the ambition of making their lives better. Our relationship with our consumers is built on trust and this is why we proactively tackle misinformation with #DermFacts - demonstrating science they can trust, as well as hearing from experts they can trust.”

Anna Mangilin, Unilever Beauty and Wellbeing Chief Marketing Officer for Southeast Asia also shared, “The House of Beauty and Wellbeing: Science Edition was not only a showcase of the best of our brand innovations and the brilliant R&D teams behind them, this was also an opportunity to launch ‘The Beauty Board’—our always-on, collective of expert voices that will help us shape the future of beauty.”

The products and the technologies underpinning them which were demonstrated at House of Beauty & Wellbeing: Science Edition debunk a series of myths across the industry. These myths have further exacerbated the problem of social media misinformation across the beauty sector and given credibility to pseudoscience.

Science Showcase: Science Behind Beauty

Dove

• Many anti-dandruff shampoos are perceived as harsh by some consumers. Some of these anti-dandruff products may lead to dry and breakage-prone hair
• Dove Dermacare Scalp is Dove’s holistic hair and scalp care range, infused with Dove’s patented Scalp Care Actives and skincare ingredients that provide 3x scalp hydration and 2x stronger scalp for not only dandruff-free scalp but also and nourished, smooth and strong hair without the harshness. Dove Dermacare Scalp range is dermatologically tested, gentle enough for everyday use, and suitable for sensitive scalps. 
• Many also believe that all bar soaps are harsh and strip the skin of?essential nutrients.
• However, the Dove Beauty Bar mildly cleanses the skin whilst it cleans, replenishing up to 100 natural ceramides. 
• For more than 60 years, the Dove Beauty Bar has been cleansing and moisturising the skin, and with our ¼ moisturizing cream, it leaves the face and body feeling soft, smooth, and more radiant than ordinary soap.

• Many believe that Glutathione is a popular ingredient that is effective in brightening when applied topically.
• However, Vaseline’s patented GlutaGlow™ technology is superior to topical Glutathione application because it supplies the skin with three micro-amino acids that the skin can use as precursors to create its own Glutathione from within, giving you clinically proven radiance.
• The GlutaGlow™ blockbuster technology is 10X* more powerful than Vitamin C for dewy and glowing skin. It’s clinically proven to boost skin radiance by 75% and fade dark spots by 30% in just one week.

*Based on lab testing.

POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE

• Many believe that skincare products only brighten the surface of the skin and only beauty treatments like laser therapy can remove stubborn dark spots.
• POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE gave a preview of their new breakthrough ingredients. NIASORCINOL™ a new brightening ingredient – a blend of Niacinamide and E-Resorcinol which can reduce visible blemishes, but also reduces the severity of underlying spots. This new innovation has 10x more brightening power than Niacinamide, giving ultimate skin clarity in just 3 days.
• Many also believe that Retinol is the only effective cosmetic solution for anti-aging and fine lines.
• However,  HEXYL-RETINOL™ – a new blend of Hexyl-Resorcinol, Retinol-C and Niacinamide –  promises ultimate youthful skin in just 3 days. It is the next generation of our ground-breaking ingredients, clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by 58%, improve elasticity by 30% and reduce the appearance of spots by 36%*.

*Based on a Unilever clinical study.

CLEAR

• Many believe anti-dandruff products are only effective for removing dandruff.
• However, CLEAR – as the leading scalp expert brand – is able to deliver beyond anti-dandruff by offering superior scalp health benefits. Its products are clinically designed and proven to strengthen scalp barrier with functional level skin care ingredients, preventing dandruff from coming back.
• Men have specific scalp needs as they have 1.5x more oily scalp, 1.5x more sweaty scalp, and have more protein loss leading to weaker scalp barrier. And these lead to men being more prone to dandruff thereby needing products specially made for them.
• CLEAR Cool Sport Menthol, engineered specially for men, has Triple Anti-dandruff Technology* that effectively removes up to 100% of dandruff* and provides 24-hour freshness with its intense cooling power. With regular product use, Clear removes dandruff and prevents it from coming back for unstoppable dandruff protection and all day freshness

*No visible flakes with regular use. Based on a Unilever clinical study.

Medical Experts share their House of Beauty & Wellbeing Experience

Dr. Bea Chan-Benavidez RPh, MD, DPDS from the Philippines said, “I was really happy & honored to be one of the lucky few who was invited to attend Unilever’s House of Beauty & Wellbeing. The tour of the house simply gives you the experience of going through 4 different rooms— which have all been impeccably designed to fit each brand’s aesthetic & core values.”

“I am honored to be part of Unilever’s Beauty Board dermatologists. I had an amazing time & experience learning the science behind Unilever’s beauty & health products during my visit to House of Beauty & Wellbeing. I am ecstatic to share what I’ve learned & looking forward to future innovations from the brand! Kudos to the whole Unilever team for this global initiative!”, shared Dr. Jarische Lao-Ang, MD DPDS

Daniella De Leon-Gaguan, Unilever Philippines R&D Lead for Beauty & Wellbeing highlights the importance of engaging medical professionals to combat misinformation and to make science more accessible, “We like to meet consumers where they are and for those of us in R&D this means bringing science to social media. The innovations presented have been brought to life by Unilever scientists across the world, including the Philippines. We’re very grateful to be working with trusted medical experts who are not only sharing their expertise, but also their platforms to educate and engage the public on Beauty & Wellbeing.”

Unilever earlier announced changes to its global organizational model to make it a simpler, more category-focused business. The new structure is helping Unilever navigate to sustainable growth, faster innovation and a profitable future with five distinct Business Groups: Beauty and Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Ice Cream, and Nutrition. In 2022, the Unilever global Beauty & Wellbeing business delivered underlying sales growth of 7.8%, which represents 20% of Unilever’s annual turnover.

¹The Simple Truth Report, research conducted by Savanta among 2,003 UK-based skincare consumers aged 18+ in February 2023. Commissioned by Simple.

This is a sponsored press release from Unilever Philippines, Inc.