Nina Jobst
Research expert covering South Korea
Cosmetics market in the United Kingdom (UK) - statistics & facts
The cosmetics boom in the UK happened in 2017, when the sector’s market value reached a staggering 9.8 billion British pounds. In 2020 and 2021 this figure regressed slightly, mostly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. Nevertheless, in 2021 the United Kingdom was among the leading cosmetic consumers in Europe. Among the many sub-sectors within this industry, color cosmetics took a hit in 2020, dropping by nearly 25 percent compared to the previous year.
UK consumers are generous spenders when it comes to personal care. In 2021, spending on personal care reached approximately 28 billion British pounds. This represented a notable increase when compared to 2010.
The leading sectors: skin care and fragrances
Despite this situation, many other cosmetic product categories continued to flourish over recent years. This was especially valid for skin care, which has attracted more attention in recent years thanks to the launch of a variety of new trends and product ranges on the market. In Great Britain, the market value of skincare products was 2.2 billion British pounds in 2021, only slightly down compared to prior years. Similarly, fragrances saw increased market value, especially from 2013 onwards. By 2021, this market was worth nearly 1.7 billion British pounds, having undergone a recovery from the previous year.Consumers' needs have shifted
One booming global trend in the cosmetics sector is the growing demand for and availability of organic and natural cosmetic products. In the UK, the sales value of certified organic health and beauty products currently stands at over 138 million British pounds. Although organic beauty may still be considered niche compared with conventional cosmetics, the growth in the industry has been nothing short of phenomenal, with sales continuously increasing since 2010.Leading brands and consumer expenditure
Some of the most popular cosmetics brands for British consumers were homegrown names such as Boots No.7 and Rimmel, for facial cosmetic products and eye make-up ranges alike. Boots’ No.7 skincare and cosmetic line hold an especially iconic place in the UK cosmetics sector. Introduced in 1935, No.7 has since then added many commercially successful products to its beauty inventory.UK consumers are generous spenders when it comes to personal care. In 2021, spending on personal care reached approximately 28 billion British pounds. This represented a notable increase when compared to 2010.
