Eileen tracks developments in OTC drug research, manufacturing, regulation, finance, M&A and marketing. She favors stories on e-commerce trends and the industry's drive toward Rx-to-OTC drug switches. Eileen also contributes coverage on the dietary supplement industry. She has a keen eye for pieces that delve into the rising self-care movement and how it is raising the innovation bar for marketers.
Latest from Eileen Francis
The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc.’s Mainland China business weakened ‘substantially’ from a 10% decline in Q4, prompting the firm to pull its fiscal year 2025 sales outlook and forecasting reported and organic net sales in the fiscal second quarter will fall 6%-8%.
The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. says new president and CEO Stéphane de la Faverie will lead in nurturing and building powerful prestige brands while also moving the firm forward “with speed and urgency.” William Lauder announces plans to step down from his role as executive chairman, while Jane Lauder reportedly has also decided to exit.
Galderma Group AG’s investments in Cetaphil launch, ‘re-energizing’ of brand pay off with sales of the dermatology unit up 10.6% in the third quarter. Separately, Spanish beauty company Puig reports its Fragrance and Fashion business grew 11.1% and its makeup division advanced 7.3% in the quarter, while data insights company Consumer Edge identifies slowdown in direct-to-consumer beauty sales.
Beiersdorf AG will back the NIVEA skin care brand with the strongest ‘launch and relaunch’ innovation pipeline in the brand’s history in 2025, says CEO Vincent Warnery during a 24 October quarterly sales presentation.
Independent and small cosmetic companies may decide to pull their products from the state of Washington due to the 1ppm lead limit imposed by the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, says consultant Karen Yarussi, who has managed regulatory affairs for Avon and Burt’s Bees. She cites the cost of testing colorants as a major issue for companies.
Dermatological Beauty grew only 0.8% in L’Oréal’s third quarter, hampered by US sluggishness attributed in part to lack of innovation in the CeraVe brand. The company announced the launch of two new products that should help to boost the division’s sales in the fourth quarter and reaffirmed confidence in China and L’Oréal’s 2025 prospects.