Celebrating the 2020/21 winners

On 17 November, the winners of the 2020/21 Pharmaceutical & Cosmetic Review + Symrise New Product Competition were annouced. Without the strength and resilience of the local cosmetics industry, this competition would not be possible. In this article we celebrate the winners and look back at what was a truly remarkable and engaging virtual event. By Abby Vorster

In each of the four New Product Competition categories, we honoured an overall winner as well as the entries that scored the highest in formulation design, online presence including social media and digital marketing, packaging, and regulatory compliance.

Over 90 guests attended the virtual event, which was hosted by P&C Review and Symrise on Flock’s Remo platform.

Two international guest speakers joined us for the event to share their expertise and market knowledge with the attendees. Based in Paris, France, Anne Cabotin, Symrise senior vice president, global consumer fragrance, spoke about caring for the wellbeing of tomorrow’s consumer with hygieSym, Symrise’s new intensive hygiene programme. She also discussed the inclusive strategy of the Symrise perfumery school, which has earmarked Africa and China as key markets for strengthening its diversity.

From Barcelona, Spain, Eva Toribio, regional marketing manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa for Symrise Cosmetic Ingredients, shared a fascinating presentation on emerging opportunities in the skin care category, taking a look future prospects and the new behaviours and needs of consumers.

Masstige category overall winner

The overall winner in the Masstige Category was Innoxa Vegan Skin Care entered by i-Bloom Solutions. The judges said: “As a range it excels! Given the price point of the products, these formulations are exceptionally innovative and well put together. The range is diverse and answers to a wide variety of consumer needs.”

Mirande Rossouw, marketing manager of i-Bloom Solutions, had this to say about their win: “It is extremely rewarding for the team to see all their hard work recognised on the Innoxa Vegan Skincare brand. It is also an honour for the i-Bloom group to be able to endorse this beautiful new brand with such a prestigious award, as we know that we were competing against the ‘best’ brands in the industry. As we continue to market this brand and meet with media partners later in the year, we will most certainly be shouting out about winning these awards to add further credibility to the Innoxa brand with our consumers and the media.”

Masstige category certificate winners

Bio-Oil Skincare Oil (Natural) entered by Evo Labs was awarded the certificate for Best Formulation Design. The judges said: “The absence of mineral oil and the interesting combination of natural oils hits the mark. The use of many newer or uncommon oils shows that the R&D team searched extensively for the right oils for this natural formulation.”

The certificate for Best Online Presence including Social Media and Digital Marketing went to Hold Me Baby Curly Hair Gel entered by IntrinsiCurly Me. The judges said: “The product hits the target market’s sore points spot on! There is the perfect mix of product/brand content; reviews; hair examples; and informative snippets in this brand’s digital marketing strategy.”

Innoxa Vegan Skin Care received the certificate for Best Packaging. The judges said: “Lovely components, good soft-feel packaging (ranging from tubes and caps to bottles and cartons. Great use of graphics with good colour tone. All the packaging is well decorated to very high standards and has good tamper evident features be it labels, seals etc.”

The certificate for Best Regulatory Compliance was awarded to Playboy Signature Collection entered by Amka Products.

Entries in the masstige category are priced between R100 and R299.

Privé label category overall winner

RDT Dimanzi EDP for Men entered by Dimanzi was named the overall winner in the Privé Label Category. The judges said: “As a returning entrant, this brand has included components based on previous competition feedback – well done! The use of a humectant or moisturising ingredient is innovative in the fragrance market.”

Di Thompson, founder of Dimanzi and Nathalie Lodone, brand manager, said they are especially delighted to have won the Privé Label Category award plus the compliance certificate.

“As you are aware, our RDT was created in honour of my late son Rowan Thompson, who was the direct inspiration behind the Dimanzi Brand,” said Di. “Rowan’s belief that there are no short cuts to anywhere worth going is reflected in the compliancy of the fragrance from the beginning to the end, along with our ethos of attention to detail in every element, including the story, packaging, fragrance and the overall vision.”

Nathalie and Di believe winning this award gives Dimanzi an edge in the market going forward. “This is such a prestigious award. We already compete with the international players in men’s fragrance, so we are super proud.”

Privé label category certificate winners

The certificate for Best Formulation Design was awarded to Diamond Hyaluron Filler entered by The Biomedical Emporium. The judges said: “Great use of stellar actives. The immediate and long-term efficacy are spot on.” Skin Solutions skincare range was honoured with the certificate for Best Online Presence Including Social Media and Digital Marketing. The judges said: “The range is promoted well on the brand’s website”.

The certificate for Best Packaging was awarded to Woolworths Cuticle Oil. The judges said: “The product versus packaging choice is good. The dispensing pen or wand performs well with the product, offering the quality dispensing expected from this brand.” RDT Dimanzi EDP for Men received the certificate for Best Regulatory Compliance.

Entries in this category are not defined by price, but rather by the fact that they are developed or produced on the basis of ‘private label’.

Mass category overall winner

The overall winner was awarded to Shower to Shower Sensitive Range entered by Amka Products. Considering the price point, this entry scored particularly well in all areas.

Shower to Shower Sensitive Range was also honoured with the certificates for Best Formulation Design, Best Online Presence Including Social Media and Digital Marketing, Best Packaging and Best Regulatory Compliance.

The judges said: “The deodorising active is innovative. For the mass market, the objective is achieved well. The range looks great with good quality packaging choices. Overall, the packaging lives together well as a range and the colour use is good.”

Jack Kruger, fragrance marketing manager at Amka, commented: “The Sensitive range augments the line-up of Shower to Shower products and addresses a very prominent skin condition in our market. We’re honoured to have been acknowledged for Best Formulation Design, Best Online Presence Including Social Media and Digital Marketing, Best Packaging and Best Regulatory Compliance. This award bolsters the offering with even more marketplace credibility. Thanks to the judges of the 2020/21 Pharmaceutical & Cosmetic Review + Symrise New Product Competition.”

Mohamed Kalla, fragrance general manager at Amka, added: “Winning this award was a wonderful morale booster for the entire Amka fragrance team, at the end of a particularly tough eighteen months in South Africa. My congratulations goes to the entire team at Shower to Shower on this prestigious award.”

Entries in the Mass Category are priced below R99.

Prestige category overall winner

Wildflower Water-Cream entered by Skin Creamery was named the overall winner in the Prestige Category. The judges said: “A beautifully unique product that screams to the natural-loving communities. Stunning full package with such a great point of difference. Using Acmelia flower is really innovative and different. A lovely combination of formulation ingredients, well matched to the price point.”

Daniala Santos de Canha Melman, chief operating officer of Skin Creamery commented: “We are always so incredibly proud when we win an award. It gives us the opportunity to celebrate our brand and our achievements as a team. It is important to have platforms where brands can showcase their products and gain recognition for excellence. Consumers trust expert opinions and so having our product judged by industry experts and winning a category really helps to build confidence in our brand.”

It is important to have platforms where brands can showcase their products and gain recognition for excellence

Prestige category certificate winners

The Nimue Skin Hydration Range entered by Ascendis Health was awarded the certificate for Best Formulation Design. The judges said: “These formulations amount to a holistic strategy for hydration. They are well thought through and brilliantly executed. The multi-targeted approach using the different types of HAs and delivery systems is visionary.”

The certificate for Best Regulatory Compliance was awarded to Ethereal Parfum entered by Beverley Claire. Environ Focus Care Comfort+ Anti-Pollution Spritz and Masque won the certificate for Best Packaging. The judges said: “Excellent choice of packaging, which fits the prestige bill. Well decorated, lovely secondary packaging with good finishes.”

Skin Creamery was also honoured with the certificate for Best Online Presence Including Social Media and Digital Marketing. The judges said: “Beautifully curated social media content following a sound strategy. Stunning website user experience.” •

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to Symrise, the sponsor of the competition.