The impact of technology on the cosmetics industry is increasingly significant. It is not only the key driving force behind industry innovation but also the primary catalyst for the emergence of new productive forces in the sector. It can be said that without strong technological support, it is difficult to have competitive products that can stand the test.
Leading the beauty and makeup trend with technology is a strong testament to Yatsen Holding Limited’s (Yatsen) innovation, the parent company of Perfect Diary. On May 28th, under the theme of “Technology Empowers Beauty,” Yatsen’s Global Innovation R&D Center was officially unveiled in Shanghai. On that day, Liu Min, Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Zhang Jun, Deputy District Mayor of Jing’an District, Shanghai, Yan Jiangying, Chairman of China Fragrance Flavor and Cosmetic Industry Association, Vania Leite, President of the 34th IFSCC International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists, along with Huang Jinfeng, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Yatsen Group, Cheng Jing, Chief Scientific Officer of Yatsen Group, as well as several industry experts and scholars, witnessed another milestone in Yatsen Group’s technological journey.
Undoubtedly, the completion of this center not only represents Yatsen Group’s advancement in technology but also signifies its solid technological support in capturing the new frontier of “makeup and skincare integration.”
Building a world-class research and development center with an investment of over 80 million yuan
Choose a high position and move towards a wide space. Shanghai, where the beauty and cosmetics trend surges, is not only a stronghold for domestic brands’ development but has also formed a “1-hour global beauty and cosmetics research and development circle” in recent years. Leading domestic and international beauty and cosmetics companies have established their research and development centers here. According to incomplete statistics, among the 11 research and development centers established by international cosmetic giants in China, 7 are located in Shanghai. Therefore, Yatsen’s Global Innovation R&D Center settling in Shanghai undoubtedly strengthens its long-term competitiveness with a forward-looking vision.
“From the name ‘Global Innovation,’ it can be seen that this is essentially the company’s research and development headquarters.” Cheng Jing, Chief Scientific Officer of Yatsen Group, stated in an interview with CHAILEEDO that as an important base for Yatsen Group’s scientific research and innovation, the Yatsen Global Innovation R&D Center adheres to international standards. It not only establishes an end-to-end research and development ecosystem from cutting-edge technology to pilot-scale amplification but also possesses top-notch software, hardware, and talent team configurations. Its main responsibility is forward-looking innovation.
“This includes forward-looking research on cutting-edge technology, as well as the development of formulations, packaging, new functionalities, and focusing on new research areas and collaborations,” Cheng Jing further explained.
In fact, the high standards of Yatsen’s Global Innovation R&D Center are not mere words. It is understood that the initial investment of the center exceeds 80 million, and the total floor area reaches 4,000 square meters. In addition to significant investment, the Yatsen Global Innovation R&D Center has multiple fully functional research laboratories, including cutting-edge, formulation, analysis, microbiology, sensory, clinical, packaging, emotional, and pilot-scale amplification labs. It not only achieves end-to-end management of research and development but also equips itself with over 300 internationally top-notch devices, such as flow cytometers, multifunctional enzyme immunoassay analyzers, and facial analysis imaging systems.
Benefiting from Yatsen Group’s global market cross-border development strategy, the Yatsen Global Innovation R&D Center also matches top international standards in talent development. “Talent is of utmost importance for successful research and development work,” according to Cheng Jing. “Currently, the company’s research and development team is composed of highly talented individuals, with 48% holding master’s degrees or above, and there are 7 Ph.D. holders. Among them, the majority of research and development managers have management experience in the research and development teams of internationally leading cosmetic companies.”
It is evident that since its design initiation in 2022, the Yatsen Global Innovation R&D Center has been completed and officially inaugurated after a year and a half, reflecting the “acceleration” of Yatsen Group in constructing a global research and development deployment and further deepening the “Yatsen Technology Road” system’s strategic positioning.
Seize the New Heights of “Makeup and Skincare Integration” with Technological Innovation
Technological innovation has become a prominent feature of Yatsen Group in recent years. With the official unveiling of the Shanghai Global Innovation R&D Center, Yatsen Group has completed its third global independent R&D center. It is known that the Guangzhou R&D Center, which was put into use in July 2020, is equipped with advanced laboratories for physics, sensory, efficacy, stability, makeup, and skincare.
“The Toulouse R&D Center in France primarily assumes four major responsibilities. First, it develops and implements new products for Yatsen Group’s two overseas brands, Galénic and EVE LOM, by understanding the technological trends and consumer demands in the European market. It also explores new directions and manages external cooperation projects, such as the collaboration with the Saint Louis Hospital in France on skin penetration and targeted release research,” said Cheng Jing.
“Each of the three R&D centers has its specific focus, and they interact positively through advanced R&D management systems and cross-center talent cultivation, thereby achieving mutual communication and collaboration throughout the R&D process,” Cheng Jing told CHAILEEDO. The research direction of Yatsen’s Global Innovation R&D Center mainly focuses on four major areas: “biotechnology,” “scientific skincare,” “emotional skincare,” and “Chinese skin experts.” The establishment of these four directions aligns with the company’s development direction, brand positioning, and the overall trend of industry and technological development.
Behind this lies the audacity of Yatsen Group’s “1-3-4-6-20” (1 advanced global cosmetics factory, 3 global independent R&D centers, 4 major research areas, 6 joint laboratories, and 20+ collaborative projects) technological strategic system advancing globally. It also demonstrates Yatsen Group’s strength and forward-looking vision in deepening scientific research and innovation.
Driven by a commitment to high-level research, Yatsen Group not only empowers enterprise innovation and opens up more possibilities but also provides strong support for brand innovation. It is understood that Perfect Diary has been conducting in-depth research on the “makeup and skincare integration” topic since last year and has embarked on a scientific exploration of “makeup as skincare.” Simultaneously with the opening of Yatsen’s Global Innovation R&D Center, Perfect Diary, as a leader in “makeup and skincare integration,” released the “Report on Scientific Research Achievements of Makeup and Skincare Integration.”
According to the report, “makeup and skincare integration” refers to the combination of cosmetic effects and skincare benefits, allowing users to achieve both a beautiful makeup look and skincare benefits. In terms of product development, “makeup and skincare integration” products draw inspiration from the development approaches of skincare products, conducting research in five dimensions: human skin characteristics, formula design concepts, selection of basic and active ingredients, safety verification, and efficacy validation.
It can be said that this is the first professional insights report in China on cutting-edge innovation research related to “makeup and skincare integration.” The public release of this report not only scientifically validates Perfect Diary’s research achievements in the field of “makeup and skincare integration” from multiple dimensions but also demonstrates the brand’s precise grasp of emerging trends in cosmetics and its determination to seize the new heights of “makeup and skincare integration.”
Being the leading brand in professional makeup and skincare technology
During the opening ceremony, Huang Jinfeng, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Yatsen Group, stated, “We will continue to invest in technological research and development, utilizing Yatsen’s global innovation research and development center as the forefront of technological innovation. We will deepen cooperation and exchanges with renowned research institutions, universities, and hospitals both domestically and internationally, jointly creating new productive forces for domestic beauty and cosmetics. We aim to bring consumers more high-quality beauty products.”
In fact, enhancing product quality through scientific research is currently the core driving force of Yatsen Group. It is understood that since 2020, Yatsen Group has invested over 450 million yuan in research and development expenses over a span of four years, putting them at the forefront of the industry. By the end of 2023, Yatsen Group had applied for 203 patents worldwide, including 91 invention patents and 57 authorized invention patents.
With a solid foundation in scientific research, the Future Experience Hall at Yatsen’s global innovation research and development center showcased the groundbreaking “Makeup and Skincare Integrated” representative product by Perfect Diary. This product, the Biomembrane Essence Lipstick, was launched in September 2023.
Unlike traditional lipsticks, this lipstick creatively incorporates Perfect Diary’s patented lip biomembrane Biolip™ and Yatsen Group’s patented pomegranate peptide complex and dynamic technology from France. It successfully ensures the basic makeup effects of a lipstick while providing dual repair and nourishing effects.
According to Yatsen Group, by the end of 2023, sales of the Biomembrane Essence Lipstick series by Perfect Diary had surpassed 100 million yuan, with sales volume exceeding one million units. In 2024, it ranked first on various lipstick rankings, including the Q1 Tmall lipstick new product ranking (holding the top three positions for two consecutive weeks), the Douyin Mall brand matte lipstick bestseller ranking, and the highly-rated ranking.
It is worth mentioning that under the guidance of the “Makeup and Skincare Integrated” technological innovation, Perfect Diary has already achieved a full range of coverage for lip, eye, and base makeup. It has launched iconic products such as the Triple Essence Foundation, Quad-Color Essence Eyeshadow, and Thousand-Peptide Essence Bare Cream.
As the saying goes, the closer a brand is to consumers, the more likely it is to be favored. According to the 2024 “White Paper on China’s Beauty Industry” jointly released by Xiaohongshu and CHAILEEDO, there are four major trends in the cosmetics field: “Makeup and Skincare Strength, Instant Crush, Exquisite Layering, and Cultural Awakening.”
It can be foreseen that as the new concept of “Makeup and Skincare Integrated” gradually enters consumers’ minds, it will undoubtedly become a new trend in the beauty industry. The official opening of Yatsen’s global innovation research and development center will further help the brand explore Chinese beauty with makeup and skincare technology, leading the beauty industry in China.
