Premium skin care sales in the UK soar

Sales of premium facial skin care products have soared in the UK, according to new research from Mintel. Between 2011 and 2012, sales grew 9% to reach a value of £1.1bn, and the analyst predicts this will hit £1.2bn by 2017.

The women’s mass market was valued at £615m but is loosing ground to its premium counterparts, which notched up a value of £449m. The men’s market, meanwhile, rose 3.6% over the same period to reach £58m.

Men’s skin care is an area with growth potential, according to Mintel, which found that more than four in ten men (42%) use a facial moisturiser, 22% use a cleanser and as many as 23% use a lip balm. Moreover, facial wipes are used by 16% of male consumers, eye creams and gels by 7% and anti-ageing products by 8%.

"The facial skin care market performed well in 2012, with the prestige and men’s markets displaying particular strength,” commented Charlotte Libby, Household and Personal Care Analyst at Mintel. "Prestige products have benefitted from the so-called ‘lipstick effect’, which has seen sales of luxury beauty products remain strong despite the economic downturn, as consumers treat themselves to small items. Additionally, increased and improved distribution channels will have no doubt buoyed the prestige sector.”