As 2024 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on a busy year for the beauty industry.
From new legislation to brand shake-ups, these are the stories that captured the attention of beauty professionals – here’s our roundup of the top 10 most-read news stories on Professional Beauty’s website this year.
1. Skn Group ceased trading
In July, Skn Group, which owned Sk:n, The Harley Medical Group, Skinbrands, The Skin Experts and ABC Medical, ceased trading.
A statement on the company’s website cited financial issues, saying, “The company has undertaken an extensive process to secure investment to enable it to continue to trading, but sadly we have been unsuccessful.”
Some of the brands under the Skinbrands portfolio, including Medik8 and Epionce, have since found new distributors.
Meanwhile, in December it was announced that Sk:n and The Harley Medical Group clinics had been relaunched following an acquisition by Lorena Cosmetics Holding SPV.
Read the article: Sk:n and Harley Medical Group clinics relaunch
2. A new Labour government meant change for the industry
In July, the Labour Party won the General Election – and there were a number of theories as to what this could mean for the beauty industry.
The industry responded to the change in government by calling on new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to work with the hair and beauty sectors.
Caroline Larissey, chief executive of the National Hair and Beauty Federation, said at the time, “As the new Government develops its proposed industrial strategy, it’s important that this improves the business environment in which our sector businesses work.”
Read the article: General Election Results 2024: what it means for the beauty industry
3. National Nail Tech Price Increase Day launched
The first National Nail Tech Price Increase Day launched in April this year.
Spearheaded by The Nail Tech Org, the initiative aimed to help nail professionals scale and grow their business by encouraging them to charge higher prices.
However, there was some rejoinder from the Government regarding price fixing, which is illegal in the UK.
Read the article: National Nail Tech Price Increase Day to launch in April 2024
4. Autumn Budget announced and #SupportOurSalons launched
In October, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the Autumn Budget, which outlines the Labour government's plans.
The Autumn 2024 Budget will affect the professional beauty industry – from the increase in National Insurance Contributions, to the impact the Budget will have on apprenticeships.
In response, Professional Beauty launched a #SupportOurSalons campaign, dedicated to sharing your stories and supporting the wider industry push to encourage Government to offer relief measures that will help mitigate the increased costs created in the recent Autumn Budget.
Read the article: How the Autumn Budget will affect the beauty industry
5. Professional Beauty Awards 2024 winners announced
In March we revealed the winners of the Professional Beauty Awards 2024, celebrating outstanding salons, spas, clinics and practitioners in the beauty and spa industry.
The awards were held at The Brewery in London on March 3, with the event hosted by comedian Simon Brodkin.
Traffic for PB awards news spiked again in October when we revealed the Professional Beauty Awards 2025 finalists.
The 2025 awards will return to The Brewery on March 2, 2025 – get your tickets here.
Read the article: Professional Beauty Awards 2024 winners announced
6. L’Oréal sold Decléor to French group Cospal
This story originally kicked off back in October 2023, when L’Oréal announced its plan to cease production of spa brand Decléor, with supply to salons and spas subsequently ending in December 2023.
Decléor returned to prominence in December when it was revealed that the brand had been bought by new organisation Cospal.
Matthieu Lesieur, founder of Cospal, said that Decléor needed to be reinvented from scratch with a redefined product range.
Read the article: L’Oréal sells Decléor to French group Cospal
7. Retinol regulation changes announced
In 2024, retinoids came under scrutiny due to changes in European Union cosmetics regulations.
An investigation by the Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety (SCCS) said that “overall consumer exposure, although low, may be of concern for consumers with the highest exposure to vitamin A (5 % of the total population) from food and food supplements” (European Union Commission Regulation, 2024).
As a result, retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate will face restrictions in concentrations – the changes will come into effect from November 2025 for any new products launched to market.
Read the article: What do the changes in retinol regulation mean for the UK beauty industry?
8. New Tipping Act legislation came into effect
A new law around tipping took effect in October, which introduced three significant changes for salon teams:
1. 100% of qualifying tips or service charges left by customers must be paid directly to employees. Employers cannot deduct any charges for admin or transactions.
2. The allocation of tips must be transparent and fair, with a clear written policy provided to employees
3. Employers must withhold and pay taxes (PAYE and Employer and Employee National Insurance) on all tips received.
Read the article: How will the October Tipping Act legislation affect my business?
9. Labour government announced intention to target beauty and nail salons in crackdown on illegal workers
In July, Labour Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that around 1,000 people who were previously working on the scrapped Rwanda deportation scheme will be redeployed to investigate businesses in sectors known for employing illegal workers, including beauty and nail salons.
The Government said that the new plans will specifically target migrants from countries such as Vietnam, which is the largest group crossing the Channel illegally but unlikely to be given asylum.
Read the article: Labour government to target beauty and nail salons in new crackdown on illegal workers
10. UK’s biggest spa etiquette annoyances revealed
A survey revealed what annoys Brits regarding other people’s spa etiquette, with the top choices including people going completely nude, getting drunk and swearing.
A lack of personal hygiene also scored highly, with 36% of people finding it poor behaviour to not clean feet before using facilities, and 35% disapprove of eating and drinking in the sauna, hot tub or steam room.
Read the article: UK’s biggest spa etiquette annoyances revealed
