Report: Anti-aging skin care sales soar

CHICAGO Women’s quest for youthful looking skin catapulted anti-aging sales in 2008 to more than $1.6 billion, surpassing — for the first time — facial cleansers, according to recent research by Mintel.

The market for anti-aging skin care has grown rapidly over the past couple of years, per Mintel. U.S. sales rose 13% from 2006 to 2008, outpacing general facial skin care sales, which grew less than 11%. Mintel expects the market to remain robust over the next five years, growing some 20% through 2013.

“Anti-aging won’t fall to the recession,” stated Kat Fay, senior beauty and personal care product analyst at Mintel. “Looking young is extremely important to many women, especially Baby Boomers, and it’s not an issue they’re willing to compromise on because of tightened budgets. Many women see anti-aging skin care as a reasonably priced investment in their appearance and well-being.”