Retail value sales of facial skincare products increased by 3.7% in 2013, representing a slight acceleration in growth rate when compared to 2012. This can be attributed to a recovery in the women’s mass market, as well as a strong sales performance in the male category. However savvy shopping behaviours, including switching to online retailers and buying during times of promotion, has limited further value sales growth, especially in the prestige market.
New product development has continued at a strong rate, and innovation is focusing on more targeted claims such as menopausal products, anti-pollution and post-surgery. Boosting awareness and usage amongst an older male audience presents an opportunity to accelerate growth.
Consumer research in this report examines product usage and frequency from both a male and female perspective, as well as drivers behind product choice and attitudes towards skincare routines.
Products covered in this report
Mintel’s definition of facial skincare includes products targeted at men and women, as follows:
Moisturisers/treatments
Cleansers, including scrubs, washes, wipes, make-up remover
Toners
Masks
Specialised products such as lip salves, eye care
Medicated skincare
Skincare devices eg mechanical cleansing brushes.
Bodycare products are excluded from this report but are covered in the forthcoming Mintel report Body, Hand and Footcare – UK, June 2014.
Please note that for the ease of market categorisation from a product and brand perspective, this report refers to premium and mass products. For the purpose of this report:
Top-end prices and high brand status define prestige products. They are typically sold behind the counter in department stores with specialised sales assistants. Prestige brands include Clinique (Estée Lauder) and Lancôme (L’Oréal).
Mass products are more typically priced at the lower end of the spectrum, and are sold in self-serve formats in mass-retail outlets including supermarkets and high street chemists such as Boots and Superdrug. Mass brands include NIVEA (Beiersdorf) and Olay (Procter & Gamble).
Value figures throughout this report are at retail sales value (RSV) unless otherwise stated. Market sizes at constant 2013 prices are calculated using Mintel’s Chemist Goods deflator.
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