Anti-age products prop up sagging skin care sales
The U.S. skin care market is poised for continued growth, but not across the board. In fact, several segments are expected to decline over the next several years, according to data from Euromonitor International. Interestingly, all except anti-age, as baby boomers continue their quest to banish fine lines and wrinkles, and younger consumers take proactive steps to prevent them. A desire for more products with organic or natural ingredients also is expected to fuel category growth.
“Demand for anti-aging products will remain high, as the oldest of the baby boomers turned 65 in 2006. As more of the baby boomer population enter the 40- to 55-year-old demographic group, they will continue to drive demand for expensive anti-wrinkle remedies and other age-concealing products,” stated research firm Euromonitor International in its most recent U.S. Skin Care report. “Younger consumers also will drive sales of nourishers/anti-agers, as manufacturers design products and marketing campaigns to reach this group, who are concerned with preventive care.”
The research firm predicted that retail sales of skin care in the United States will experience minimal growth between 2007 and 2012, growing by 1 percent at current prices, to reach $8.1 billion not accounting for inflation and other factors. Some factors likely to hamper growth include an anticipated decline in sales of some products, overall maturity of the sector and fewer dramatic new products. However, anti-aging products will be the most dynamic in value terms.
Sales forecast: Skin care 2012Aging boomers will continue to seek youth in a bottle
| 2007 | 2012 | |
| Facial care | $6,109.00 | $6,404.20 |
| Nourishers/anti-agers | 2,239.50 | 2,714.40 |
| facial moisturizers | 1,641.20 | 1,541.30 |
| Facial cleansers | 1,519.30 | 1,463.00 |
| Toners | 335.30 | 284.80 |
| Lip moisturizers | 305.40 | 341.40 |
| Face masks | 68.20 | 59.30 |
| Body care | 1,833.80 | 1,586.90 |
| Firming/anti-cellulite | 93.10 | 74.40 |
| General purpose body care | 1,740.70 | 1,512.50 |
| Hand care | 116.40 | 112.90 |
| Mass hand care | 88.20 | 84.70 |
| Premium hand care | 28.20 | 28.20 |
| Total skin care | 8,059.20 | 8,104.00 |
Anti-aging products are expected to grow 21 percent between 2007 and 2012, to a total of about $2.7 billion not accounting for inflation and other factors.
The continued demand to anti-aging skin care has benefited cosmeceuticals—skin care products that accentuate the presence of active ingredients in product formulations—and research suggested that won’t change anytime soon.
A study recently released by industry market research firm The Freedonia Group predicted that the demand for cosmetic and toiletry chemicals in the United States will rise 5.8 percent per year to $8.8 billion in 2012.
The Cosmetic & Toiletry Chemicals report stated that growth in demand for active ingredients, such as enzymes, amino acids and peptides, will be propelled by continued gains in cosmeceutical skin care products and such additives as nanoscale ingredients.
Also fueling demand will be an increase in a consumer preference for products that have natural or organic ingredients. This trend in consumer preference will come at the expense of traditional cosmetic and toiletry chemicals like petroleum oils and commodity surfactants, which likely will experience limited gains because of the popularity of water-based formulations in skin and hair care products, the increased use of natural ingredients and a trend away from chemicals that have the perception of being harsh, according to The Freedonia Group.
Male grooming and ethnic products also are poised for growth, the research firm noted.
Looking to tap into the lucrative skin care market, manufacturers—both niche players and large companies—continue to develop products that promise to deliver results.
One such company, which was an exhibitor at this year’s NACDS Marketplace Conference in San Diego, is DermWorx. Among the products it highlighted at the show was its CerumWorx anti-aging serum.
CerumWorx is a patented formula utilizing L-ascorbic acid, the pure form of vitaminC. The oil-free serum promises to re-energize skin, making it look firmer and smoother.
Promising to deliver visibly fewer wrinkles in 28 days is Sebamed from Sebapharma. The line, also seen at NACDS Marketplace, includes anti-aging Q10 protection cream, Q10 lifting eye cream, Q10 firming body lotion, face and body wash and shower oil.
Also at NACDS Marketplace was Equilibra Italy with its new Perlabella anti-aging skin care products. The formulas are packaged in capsules, or PureDose Pearls, so water, air or preservatives will not compromise the integrity of their ingredients.
Meanwhile, L’Oréal Paris is making available in August the new Advanced Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate clinical action serum and Age Perfect Pro-Calcium Radiance Perfector sheer tint moisturizer treatment.
The Advanced Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate is the most concentrated product in the Advanced Revitalift collection and features ingredients Pro-Retinol A and Pro-Lastyl.
The Age Perfect Pro-Calcium Radiance Perfector sheer tint moisturizer is an all-in-one radiance treatment that incorporates anti-aging ingredients in a sheer-tinted moisturizer. For women who suffer from skin discoloration and age spots, the moisturizer has pure vitamin C, beta hydroxy acid and calcium technology.
Procter & Gamble’s Olay recently launched several products for 2008, including the new Olay Definity Night restorative sleep cream, Olay Definity Night anti-spot treatment and Definity Color Recapture.
The Olay Definity Night restorative sleep cream contains ingredients that penetrate up to 10 surface layers of skin, hydrating to noticeably reduce the look of discoloration, dullness, brown spots and wrinkles with eight weeks of use, according to P&G. The cream contains the new concentrated glucosamine formula that is comprised of niacinamide, N-acetyl glucosamine and glycerin.
The new Olay Definity Night anti-spot treatment targets brown spots and discolorations while one sleeps. Also infused with a glucosamine complex, the treatment promises to fade the appearance of age spots and help match skin’s natural tone in six weeks.
To moisturize skin and provide sheer illuminating coverage, there’s the new Definity Color Recapture. The daily anti-age moisturizer works in multiple surface layers to help reverse the appearance of discoloration and wrinkles. It is available in three shades: fair/light, light/medium and medium/deep. The product offers SPF 15 protection and also is infused with a glucosamine complex.