Global Skincare Products Market: Overview and Predictions—According to Straits Research

The global skincare products market size was valued at $145.3 billion in 2021. According to a recent study by Straits Research, the market is expected to reach $221.38 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.79% during the forecast period (2022–2030).
 
Skincare products on the market include cleansers, toners, body lotions, oils and serums, and creams with retinol, alpha-hydroxy acids, and beta-hydroxy acids. Globally rising demand for face creams, sunscreens, and body lotions is anticipated to positively affect market expansion over the forecast period.

Clean Products Drive Expansion of the Market

Natural, local, and organic are all terms that many shoppers research before making a purchase. According to a separate study, about 88% of consumers are willing to pay more for goods made with ingredients from natural sources. 90% of consumers believed that natural or naturally derived beauty ingredients were better for them and were actively seeking skincare products with naturally sourced ingredients, according to a 2018 survey by the graduate school of cosmetics and fragrance marketing and management students at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
 
One of the main driving forces behind the expansion of the market under study is the accessibility of organic skincare products with various specifications specially created for different skin types—dry, normal, and oily. In order to provide healthy fixes for dry and damaged skin, consumers prefer skincare products with natural and cold-pressed oils, including blended formulations and pure organics.

Rising Demand for Anti-Aging and Anti-Pollution Ranges

Anti-aging products like anti-wrinkle creams, face creams, serums, and eye creams are popular. Pollution and hard water also increase demand for such products. Additionally, the loss of collagen due to pollution is a major source of wrinkles, and the effects of pollution on the skin are becoming more understood.
 
Anti-pollution skincare searches at the Liberty department store were up 73% in 2019. Cult Beauty reports that the search for anti-pollution products increased by 1,000% in 2019. Younger women are more likely to invest in skin care products and frequently buy anti-aging products. Vitamin E, an antioxidant, was added to the line’s formula to fight aging free radicals. These factors are anticipated to drive the demand for skincare products during the forecast period.

The Facial Care Segment Outperforms Other Segments

The facial care segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.45% during the forecast period. The facial care segment is subdivided into Cleansers, Moisturizers, Creams, Lotions, Serums and Essences, Toners, and Face Masks and Packs.
 
The global use of moisturizers, creams, and lotions is increasing for several reasons, including cold weather, dry air, and an unbalanced skin pH level. More people are using moisturizers as a preventative measure as the prevalence of dry skin conditions increases with age and affects more than 50% of older adults.
 
Additionally, many customers want to stay away from parabens in skincare products. Synthetic chemicals like propylparaben and butylparaben are no longer considered safe due to the rise of organic products. According to a Shiseido survey, Asian consumers’ top four concerns are related to tone darkening, even though skin whitening products have been officially rebranded to be positioned globally. This presents enormous opportunities for players in this skincare products market.
 
The body care segment is subdivided into body wash and body lotion. Body wash/shower gel’s sizable market share impacted manufacturers’ aggressive retail-level marketing campaigns worldwide. These promotions include price reductions, buy one, get one free, and special pack sizes. Furthermore, this market is highly competitive, with established international players holding the most shares.
 
The primary tactic market players use is new product innovation, emphasizing organic and natural ingredients and new formats. With over a billion plastic bottles of traditional body wash ending up in recycling and waste streams composed of about 85% water, there is room for innovation. A waterless body wash system was introduced by Youbody in 2021 and came in eight scents: Awake, Balance, Calm, Clean, Escape, Play, Simple, and Wander. These scents contain superfood ingredients like Caribbean ginger, Icelandic kelp, and pomegranate seed oil.

Mass Skincare Anticipated to Reach New Highs

The mass skincare products segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.75% during the forecast period. Due to rising per capita spending on personal care and beauty products and a significant rise in skincare requirements among consumers, the market for mass skin care products is anticipated to reach new highs during the forecast period.
 
The market is seeing an increased demand for anti-aging goods like moisturizers, face creams, and anti-wrinkle creams. Worsening climatic conditions and rising pollution also drive the demand for such products. As a result, producers release goods like anti-aging masks that make anti-pollution claims. Industry players are developing broad and distinctive product lines and new product offerings to take advantage of the potential market for mass-produced goods. In this market, the price-to-performance ratio has grown in importance. Consumers are not always looking for cost-effective products, so the value for the money paid argument is gaining ground.
 
Premium beauty and personal care products are strongly preferred in the market under study because they are thought to be free of synthetic additives and made from natural ingredients. Thanks to this factor, manufacturers have a fantastic opportunity to increase their product selection to keep up with the current trend.
 
Unilever, Procter & Gamble Co., and other private-label brands are among the mainstream companies capitalizing on consumer interest in ethical and environmentally friendly beauty and personal care products. In addition, despite the existing wide-ranging product portfolios, they are concentrating on creating new products to keep consumers interested. The leading players are utilizing powerful and robust digital resources to maintain a strong online presence, which is essential for the success of the premium skincare segment.

Specialty Shops Are the #1 Distribution Channel

The specialist retail store segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.14% during the forecast period.
 
Specialty shops offer updated, diverse, and visible products. MAC Cosmetics and Loreal SA sell in these stores since they are handy for customers and suppliers. These competitors are embracing opulence to attract more customers. The tailored approach, specialized products, individualized services, and availability of beauty products for different skin types and needs increased sales in specialty stores. These shops offer innovative beauty products with unique applications and packaging.
 
Specialist merchants are more well-liked, and skin care product sales are increasing due to committed professionals who can outline the advantages of the products, gather quick feedback, and address client complaints and inquiries. Despite their consumer-friendly approach, specialist retailers compete with online retailers and hypermarkets/supermarkets.
 
Supermarkets and hypermarkets are among the main sales channels for skin care products worldwide, where manufacturers can display their wide variety of brands. Supermarkets and hypermarkets have skin care products due to their large size. These channels categorize products by functionality, age, gender and packaging. Sainsbury’s, a popular UK hypermarket, hired beauty experts in eight stores in October 2018 to advise customers on 1,500 new beauty and personal care products. Company growth and the rise of supermarkets and hypermarkets boost sales in these retail formats and drive market growth. Customers prefer these channels because they want to shop less and save money.

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant shareholder in the global skincare products market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.74% during the forecast period.
 
China’s tier 1 megacities have the highest consumption of facial care products, with tier 2 and tier 3 cities seeing increased penetration as the country’s middle class has been growing and consumers of skin and personal care products.
 
Compared to their counterparts in the United States or Europe, Chinese consumers are less brand loyal and more price sensitive, even though some are willing to pay more for branded or premium products. The overall revenue generated by the product category has increased due to this. Despite shower gel becoming a widely used product by Chinese consumers, soap products still dominate the Chinese bath market. According to various survey findings, more than half of Chinese people still mix their soap and shower gel before using it, which presents an opportunity to innovate in the market to meet consumer demand.                            

‘G-Beauty’ is a Trend in Europe

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.70%, generating USD 35.42 billion during the forecast period. As supermarket operators like Edeka and Rewe have rolled out app development for younger and busier consumers, online shopping extends beyond the desktop.
 
Additionally, to increase their brand visibility and product reachability, the manufacturers make the best use of online platforms by selling their products through their websites and listing them on well-known e-retailing websites. Due to the country’s industry’s reliance on farm-based manufacturing, German beauty brands are known worldwide for being organic and sustainable. The current top skincare trend is known as “G-Beauty.” It is being driven by a new generation of cult luxury brands like Dr. Barbara Sturm, Royal Fern, and Augustinus Bader. German beauty products are renowned for being straightforward, practical and clean, and they target issues with clear solutions and outcomes supported by science.

The U.S. Sees a Rise in Skincare Use

North America is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. The American population spends much money on skin and personal care products and is open to trying new ones, typically those that make clean-label and free-from claims, causing the sales of these products to soar in the nation. Due to this factor, most businesses choose the United States as their primary market. Additionally, the country is seeing a rise in skincare use, particularly in the premium category, due to growing consumer awareness of these products’ advantages.
 
Due to the significant sales of anti-aging creams, face oils, facial serums, and skin-lightening products, the U.S. is the primary source of revenue in North America. The most notable increases since last year were seen in basic skin and body care items, such as cleansers, moisturizers, and treatments like exfoliators, scrubs, and masks. The body care market is predominantly driven by pricey body wash, shower gel, and body lotion items because there are high-income groups in the U.S.

Brazil Offers Enormous Opportunities

Although Brazilian consumers spent less on cosmetics, they were still interested in the latest facial and skin care trends. This indicates the enormous opportunities for skincare companies to target and enter the Brazilian market. Brazilian women use facial peels or masks significantly, which has increased demand for these products and anti-pollution facial products. In addition, the younger generation, particularly millennials, are becoming very interested in facial care due to their growing obsession with features like moisturizers and anti-aging products. L’Oreal SA and Natura are two significant businesses that produce and market their goods in the nation.