In light of this Cosmetic Design looks into what trends have become prevalent in the sector so far this year.
Mixed bag of trends...
Therapeutic skin care products came into the fore as they moved beyond their traditional market of consumers to position themselves to compete against mainstream skin care brands.
Earlier in the year we saw skin care manufacturers creating therapeutically-positioned ranges, with cosmetics giants like Beiersdorf positioning its well-known therapeutic skin care brand, Eucerin, as a product consumers could use everyday.
Euromonitor points out that these new launches are indicative of a trend for skin care companies to shift towards more general, all-encompassing products that will appeal to the widest possible number of consumers.
“A diverse product portfolio is key for growth in a still uncertain and erratic market,” states the market research firm.
In terms of actives, ginseng appeared to be popular due to its natural antioxidant and antibacterial properties and versatility in formulations.
As a multifunctional ingredient, it popped up in anti-ageing, acne, and tone and luminance formulations. Crodarom launched its purple ginseng active last month to provide balance in a skin care formulation for acne sufferers.
The botanical segment, has also seen a rise in demand “with an estimated CAGR of 5 per cent expected in Europe by 2015" according to Kline’s Nikola Matic, as formulators are increasingly seeking to use them as substantiated functional ingredients.
Formulations featuring snail extract showed up mainly in anti-ageing and anti acne products as its unique properties contain seven key benefactors to promote healthy, beautiful skin; allantoin, collagen, elastin, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and protein.
Andes Natural Skin Care has recently launched a topical treatment based on a secretion from a snail to simultaneously treat acne and clear up disfiguring acne scars.