What you need to know

The market’s previous trajectory for growth is proving short-lived, and its value is expected to decline by nearly 1% to an estimated £1.16 billion in 2019 from £1.17 billion in 2018. The move to a simple skincare routine using potent ingredients has resulted in a decline across most segments, although some treatment products like oils have held strong.

This is thanks to the intense hit of nourishment that they offer, appealing to women’s need for an illuminating glow. Skincare brands also need to watch out for other categories, such as supplements making beauty-enhancing claims, as women look to create glow with their lifestyle as well. Offering convenience benefits will therefore become important, especially for targeted treatment products.

Products covered in this Report

For the purposes of this Report, Mintel’s definition of facial skincare includes:

  • Moisturisers

  • Cleansers, including scrubs, washes, wipes, makeup remover and facial soaps

  • Toners

  • Masks and treatments

  • Specialised products such as lip salves, eye care and anti-ageing products

  • Medicated skincare.

Bodycare products are excluded from this Report but are covered in Mintel’s Hand, Body and Footcare – UK, April 2019 Report.

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).

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