THE WHAT? Clarins has opened up its first overseas laboratory, with the new centre based in Shanghai.

THE DETAILS The 500 square metre lab will conduct vitro experiments, sensory analysis and clinical tests, with researchers able to screen the active ingredients in the products, invite Chinese consumers in for sensory evaluations and verify product efficacy. 

Helping the group better understand the skin concerns of Asian women, as well as develop new products for the Asian market, Clarins will also get better acquainted with the country’s advances in science and technology, humanities and biology. 

Clarins is also hoping to draw on ancient Chinese medicine for NPD.  

THE WHY? The first laboratory to be built outside Paris, China is said to be Clarins’ biggest market. The new research capabilities will offer the company the ability to better understand regional preferences. 

Discussing the success of the region for the company, Zhong Xiaoming, Executive Vice President of Clarins Greater China, said, “The consumption rebound in China since COVID-19 outbreak beat our expectations. Our market performance in China has fully recovered, and we’ve achieved accelerated growth in some regions.”