Beauty Industry Statistics 2026
This page collects 52 figures on the beauty and personal care industry: global and European market size, US prestige and mass sales, fragrance and skincare growth, online and store sales, household spending and salon jobs, and US cosmetics regulation under MoCRA. It covers the world, Europe and the US, mostly with 2025 and 2026 data, drawn from company filings and releases (L'Oréal, Estée Lauder, Ulta Beauty, P&G, Unilever, Beiersdorf, Puig, Interparfums, e.l.f. Beauty, LVMH), Circana retail tracking, Cosmetics Europe, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FDA.
By the Comredix review desk · Updated November 13, 2026 · 52 numbers drawn from 25 publishers and reports
56 of 56 quotes matched to the publisher's page by our checker on November 13, 2026
Short answer
The global beauty market was worth about €300 billion in 2025 and grew roughly 3.5%, according to L'Oréal's estimates, with skincare the largest category at 38% and perfumes at 14%. In the US, Circana measured $36 billion in prestige beauty sales and $72.7 billion in mass beauty sales in 2025, both growing 7% in the first half of 2026, while mass fragrance grew 15%. US households spent an average of $986 on personal care in 2025, per the BLS, and the FDA counted about 1.3 million cosmetic product listings under MoCRA.
Headline numbers
- €300 billionL'Oréal estimates the global beauty market at about €300 billion in 2025, measured at net manufacturer prices and excluding soap, toothpaste and razors.L'Oréal
- 3.5%The global beauty market grew about 3.5% in 2025, down from 4.5% in 2024, according to L'Oréal's estimates at constant exchange rates.L'Oréal
- $36 billionUS prestige beauty retail sales grew 4% to $36 billion in 2025, according to Circana.Circana
- $72.7 billionUS mass market beauty sales rose 5% to $72.7 billion in 2025, with unit sales up 2%, per Circana.Circana
- 15%Fragrance was the fastest-growing category in US mass market beauty in 2025, with dollar sales up 15%, per Circana.Circana
- 38%Skincare made up 38% of the global beauty market in 2025, the largest category in L'Oréal's estimates, ahead of haircare at 21% and makeup at 17%.L'Oréal
- $986US households spent an average of $986 on personal care products and services in 2025, up 0.8% from $978 in 2024, according to the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- 1,298,361The FDA counted 1,298,361 unique, active cosmetic product listings under MoCRA as of June 30, 2026.U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Reading the numbers
Beauty is a large, steady market that is slowing from its post-pandemic pace. L'Oréal puts global sales at about €300 billion in 2025 after growth of roughly 3.5%, down from 8% in 2023 and 4.5% in 2024. The biggest companies grew at similar rates: L'Oréal 4.0% like for like, Unilever's Beauty & Wellbeing unit 4.3%, Estée Lauder 5% as reported and the P&G Beauty segment 7%. Europe alone accounts for €110 billion at retail prices in Cosmetics Europe's data, a different measure from L'Oréal's manufacturer prices.
The US market looks stronger than the global average in 2026. Circana measured $36 billion in prestige sales and $72.7 billion in mass sales for 2025, and both sides grew 7% in the first half of 2026. Ulta Beauty, the largest US specialty beauty chain, grew sales 9.7% in fiscal 2025 and 8.9% in its latest quarter, helped by its Space NK acquisition.
Fragrance remains the category to watch, but its growth is cooling and shifting. Circana found mass fragrance up 15% in 2025 while prestige fragrance slowed to 5%, and prestige growth in the first half of 2026 came from higher prices rather than more bottles sold. Estée Lauder's fragrance sales rose 12% in fiscal 2026 and Puig and Interparfums posted record sales, yet Puig expects fragrance market growth to keep normalizing. Skincare took over as the fastest-growing prestige category in early 2026, and dermatological brands such as Beiersdorf's Eucerin and Aquaphor grew 11.7% in 2025.
Spending per household is flat in real terms and regulation is tightening. The BLS shows US households spent $986 on personal care in 2025, only 0.8% more than in 2024 and 1.2% of their budget. Online sales and social commerce keep gaining, with TikTok Shop at 10% of US beauty e-commerce per Circana, while the FDA's MoCRA listing data now cover about 1.3 million products from 16,398 registered facilities.
Global beauty market size and growth
- 1.
L'Oréal estimates the global beauty market at about €300 billion in 2025, measured at net manufacturer prices and excluding soap, toothpaste and razors.
L'Oréal, 2025 Universal Registration Document, 1.2.2 The beauty market (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Worth some €300 billion in 2025
- 2.
The global beauty market grew about 3.5% in 2025, down from 4.5% in 2024, according to L'Oréal's estimates at constant exchange rates.
L'Oréal, 2025 Universal Registration Document, 1.2.2 The beauty market (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
2024: 4.5% 2025: approximately 3.5%
- 3.
North America accounted for 28% of the global beauty market in 2025, the largest region in L'Oréal's breakdown, ahead of North Asia at 27% and Europe at 25%.
L'Oréal, 2025 Universal Registration Document, estimated global beauty market in 2025 (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Europe : 25 % North America : 28 % North Asia: 27 %
- 4.
L'Oréal, the largest beauty company, reported 2025 sales of €44.05 billion, up 4.0% like for like.
L'Oréal, 2025 Annual Results (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Sales: 44.05 billion euros, +4.0% like-for-like
- 5.
Retail sales of cosmetics and personal care products in Europe were valued at €110 billion in 2025, according to Cosmetics Europe.
Cosmetics Europe, Our Industry: Economic value of the cosmetics and personal care industry (2026)
Exact wording at the source
Europe is a flagship market for cosmetics and personal care products, with retail sales valued at €110 billion in 2025.
- 6.
Germany is Europe's largest cosmetics and personal care market at €18.0 billion in retail sales, followed by the United Kingdom at €14.7 billion.
Cosmetics Europe, Our Industry: Economic value of the cosmetics and personal care industry (2026)
Exact wording at the source
The biggest European markets for cosmetics and personal care products are Germany (€18.0 billion) and the United Kingdom (€14.7 billion).
- 7.
European cosmetics exports were worth €29.8 billion in 2025, per Cosmetics Europe.
Cosmetics Europe, Our Industry: Economic value of the cosmetics and personal care industry (2026)
Exact wording at the source
Cosmetic products are an extremely valuable European export, with an export value of €29.8 billion in 2025.
- 8.
Unilever's Beauty & Wellbeing business grew underlying sales 4.3% in 2025, split between 2.2% volume growth and 2.1% price growth.
Unilever, What's behind Unilever's 2025 full year results (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Beauty & Wellbeing underlying sales grew 4.3%, with 2.2% from volume and 2.1% from price.
- 9.
Procter & Gamble's Beauty segment, which includes hair care, skin care and personal care, grew net sales 7% to $16.0 billion in the fiscal year ended June 2026.
Procter & Gamble, The Procter & Gamble Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Beauty net sales increased 7% to $16.0 billion, driven by a unit volume increase of 4%, favorable foreign exchange of 2% and positive impact of higher pricing of 1%.
- 10.
The Estée Lauder Companies reported net sales of $15.0 billion for the fiscal year ended June 2026, up 5% as reported.
The Estée Lauder Companies, The Estée Lauder Companies Reports Fiscal 2026 Results (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Net sales increased 5% to $15.0 billion
Chart
Global beauty market by region, 2025
Share of the estimated €300 billion global beauty market in 2025, by region, from L'Oréal's 2025 Universal Registration Document.
- North America28%
- North Asia27%
- Europe25%
- SAPMENA and Sub-Saharan Africa11%
- Latin America9%
Source: L'Oréal, 2025 Universal Registration Document, estimated global beauty market in 2025
US beauty sales
- 11.
US prestige beauty retail sales grew 4% to $36 billion in 2025, according to Circana.
Circana, US Prestige and Mass Beauty Retail Deliver a Positive Performance in 2025, Circana Reports (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
prestige beauty retail dollar sales grew by +4%, year over year, to reach $36 billion in 2025
- 12.
US mass market beauty sales rose 5% to $72.7 billion in 2025, with unit sales up 2%, per Circana.
Circana, US Prestige and Mass Beauty Retail Deliver a Positive Performance in 2025, Circana Reports (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In comparison, beauty sales in mass retail experienced a dollar increase of 5% to $72.7 billion, and unit sales grew by +2%, compared to 2024.
- 13.
US prestige beauty sales rose 7% to $17.1 billion in the first half of 2026, and mass beauty also grew 7%, according to Circana.
Circana, US Beauty Industry Posts Solid First Half Growth as Fragrance and Skincare Lead Across Prestige and Mass (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Prestige retail beauty sales increased by +7%, to $17.1 billion, during the first six months of the year, while mass retail sales also rose +7%, to $39.2 billion
- 14.
Makeup was the largest US prestige beauty category in 2025 and grew 4%, according to Circana.
Circana, US Prestige and Mass Beauty Retail Deliver a Positive Performance in 2025, Circana Reports (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Makeup remained the largest prestige beauty category in 2025, growing +4%.
- 15.
Ulta Beauty's net sales grew 9.7% to $12.4 billion in fiscal 2025, which ended January 31, 2026.
Ulta Beauty, Ulta Beauty Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2025 Results and Provides Fiscal 2026 Guidance (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Net sales increased 9.7% to $12.4 billion, primarily due to increased comparable sales, the acquisition of Space NK, and sales from new stores.
- 16.
Ulta Beauty's net sales rose 8.9% to $3.0 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, with comparable sales up 3.8%.
Ulta Beauty, Ulta Beauty Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results and Raises Fiscal 2026 Guidance (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Net sales increased 8.9% to $3.0 billion, primarily due to increased comparable sales, the acquisition of Space NK, and sales from new stores
- 17.
e.l.f. Beauty's net sales grew 25% to $1,636.5 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, helped by its acquisition of Rhode.
e.l.f. Beauty, e.l.f. Beauty Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results (May 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Net sales increased 25% to $1,636.5 million, primarily driven by growth in both our retailer and e-commerce channels, in the US and internationally.
Fragrance growth
- 18.
Perfumes accounted for 14% of the global beauty market in 2025, according to L'Oréal's category breakdown.
L'Oréal, 2025 Universal Registration Document, estimated global beauty market in 2025 (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Skincare : 38 % Haircare: 21 % Make-up: 17 % Perfumes: 14 %
- 19.
Fragrance was the fastest-growing category in US mass market beauty in 2025, with dollar sales up 15%, per Circana.
Circana, US Prestige and Mass Beauty Retail Deliver a Positive Performance in 2025, Circana Reports (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Though the smallest category in the mass market, fragrance was the fastest-growing, rising +15% in dollars and units grew at nearly the same rate.
- 20.
US prestige fragrance sales grew 5% in 2025 and fragrance was the second-largest prestige beauty category, according to Circana.
Circana, US Prestige and Mass Beauty Retail Deliver a Positive Performance in 2025, Circana Reports (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Prestige fragrance grew +5% in dollars and closed the year as the second-largest segment in prestige retail.
- 21.
US prestige fragrance dollar sales rose 6% in the first half of 2026 as average prices rose 5% and unit sales stayed flat, per Circana.
Circana, US Beauty Industry Posts Solid First Half Growth as Fragrance and Skincare Lead Across Prestige and Mass (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In prestige retail, dollar sales grew +6%, driven primarily by premiumization rather than an increase in purchases, with average prices rising +5% while unit sales remained flat.
- 22.
Estée Lauder's fragrance net sales rose 12% in fiscal 2026, an increase of $288 million, led by Le Labo, TOM FORD and KILIAN PARIS.
The Estée Lauder Companies, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Reported fragrance net sales increased $288 million, or 12%, in fiscal 2026, reflecting higher net sales from Le Labo, TOM FORD and KILIAN PARIS, combined, of approximately $221 million.
- 23.
Puig, owner of Rabanne, Carolina Herrera and Jean Paul Gaultier fragrances, reported 2025 net revenue of €5,042 million, up 7.8% like for like.
Puig, Puig Achieves Strong Growth And Record Sales Over €5bn, Significantly Improving Profitability, And Continues To Outperform The Premium Beauty Market (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Solid net revenue growth, delivering €5,042 million in 2025, up +7.8% like-for-like (LFL), at the top end of our 2025 outlook range of 6-8%, +5.3% reported.
- 24.
Fragrance company Interparfums reported record 2025 net sales of $1.49 billion.
Interparfums, Interparfums, Inc. Reports Record 2025 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In 2025, we delivered record net sales of $1.49 billion
- 25.
Fragrances and perfumes sold €17.1 billion at retail in Europe in 2025, per Cosmetics Europe.
Cosmetics Europe, Our Industry: Economic value of the cosmetics and personal care industry (2026)
Exact wording at the source
Skin care is the biggest product category, valued at €32.3 billion, followed by toiletries (€26.4 billion), hair-care products (€20.3 billion), fragrances and perfumes (€17.1 billion) and decorative cosmetics (€13.6 billion).
- 26.
LVMH's Perfumes & Cosmetics group, which includes Parfums Christian Dior, held revenue flat on an organic basis in 2025 while lifting its operating margin to 8.9%.
LVMH, LVMH: solid performance in a disrupted global economic and geopolitical environment (Jan 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Profit from recurring operations was up 8%, bringing the operating margin to 8.9%.
Chart
Estée Lauder net sales by category, fiscal 2026
Net sales of The Estée Lauder Companies by product category for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, in US dollar millions.
- Skin care$7,338 million
- Makeup$4,276 million
- Fragrance$2,779 million
- Hair care$565 million
Source: The Estée Lauder Companies, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026
Skincare and hair care
- 27.
Skincare made up 38% of the global beauty market in 2025, the largest category in L'Oréal's estimates, ahead of haircare at 21% and makeup at 17%.
L'Oréal, 2025 Universal Registration Document, estimated global beauty market in 2025 (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Skincare : 38 % Haircare: 21 % Make-up: 17 % Perfumes: 14 %
- 28.
Skin care is Europe's biggest cosmetics category, with €32.3 billion in 2025 retail sales, per Cosmetics Europe.
Cosmetics Europe, Our Industry: Economic value of the cosmetics and personal care industry (2026)
Exact wording at the source
Skin care is the biggest product category, valued at €32.3 billion, followed by toiletries (€26.4 billion), hair-care products (€20.3 billion), fragrances and perfumes (€17.1 billion) and decorative cosmetics (€13.6 billion).
- 29.
Skincare was the fastest-growing US prestige beauty category in the first half of 2026, with sales up 9%, according to Circana.
Circana, US Beauty Industry Posts Solid First Half Growth as Fragrance and Skincare Lead Across Prestige and Mass (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Skincare was the fastest-growing category in prestige beauty during the first half, with sales increasing +9% and units up double-digits.
- 30.
US prestige sun care sales rose 19% and body care sales rose 16% in the first half of 2026, per Circana.
Circana, US Beauty Industry Posts Solid First Half Growth as Fragrance and Skincare Lead Across Prestige and Mass (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Body care sales rose +16%, supported by strong gains in body cleansers, body lotions, and deodorants, while sun care increased +19% as consumers continued to prioritize preventative skincare.
- 31.
US mass market skincare sales grew 6% in both dollars and units in 2025, per Circana.
Circana, US Prestige and Mass Beauty Retail Deliver a Positive Performance in 2025, Circana Reports (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
At mass retail, skincare delivered a solid +6% increase in both dollars and units, driven primarily by facial cleansers and face moisturizers.
- 32.
Beiersdorf's Derma business, home of Eucerin and Aquaphor, grew 11.7% organically in 2025, while NIVEA grew 0.9%.
Beiersdorf, Full year results 2025: Beiersdorf grows in a slowing market, Derma outperforms (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
NIVEA +0.9%, Derma +11.7%, Health Care +9.3%
Chart
European cosmetics retail sales by category, 2025
Retail sales of cosmetics and personal care products in Europe in 2025, in euro billions, from Cosmetics Europe's Market Performance 2025 data.
- Skin care32.3 € billion
- Toiletries26.4 € billion
- Hair care20.3 € billion
- Fragrances and perfumes17.1 € billion
- Decorative cosmetics13.6 € billion
Source: Cosmetics Europe, Our Industry: Economic value of the cosmetics and personal care industry
Online and store sales
- 33.
E-commerce passed 30% of L'Oréal's sales in 2025 and grew at a double-digit rate.
L'Oréal, 2025 Annual Results (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
growing double digits passing the 30% mark
- 34.
TikTok Shop accounted for 10% of total US beauty e-commerce sales by the first quarter of 2026, according to Circana.
Circana, US Beauty Market Delivers Steady First Quarter Growth, Circana Reports (May 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Launched in late 2023, TikTok Shop already represents 10% of total beauty e-commerce sales
- 35.
Beauty and personal care led all categories on TikTok Shop in the US in the first quarter of 2026, with 20% of its dollar spending, per Circana.
Circana, US Beauty Market Delivers Steady First Quarter Growth, Circana Reports (May 2026)
Exact wording at the source
beauty and personal care led all categories in Q1, capturing 20% of TikTok Shop dollar spending.
- 36.
Ulta Beauty's US loyalty program had more than 46 million members at the end of fiscal 2025, and members drove about 95% of its sales.
Ulta Beauty, Ulta Beauty, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026 (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
With more than 46 million members as of the end of fiscal 2025 and approximately 95% of total sales coming from members in fiscal 2025
- 37.
73% of Ulta Beauty's US loyalty members shopped only in stores in fiscal 2025.
Ulta Beauty, Ulta Beauty, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026 (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026 (“fiscal 2025”), 73% of Ulta U.S.’s loyalty members transacted solely within stores.
- 38.
Ulta Beauty operates more than 1,500 retail stores in the US, mostly in power strip centers.
Ulta Beauty, Ulta Beauty, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026 (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Ulta U.S. operates more than 1,500 retail stores in the U.S., located predominantly in convenient, high-traffic locations such as power strip centers.
- 39.
The Estée Lauder Companies operated about 1,600 freestanding stores as of June 30, 2026, with most of its online sales generated in mainland China, the US and the UK.
The Estée Lauder Companies, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
As of June 30, 2026, we operated approximately 1,600 freestanding stores
Consumer spending and beauty jobs
- 40.
US households spent an average of $986 on personal care products and services in 2025, up 0.8% from $978 in 2024, according to the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditures in 2025 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Personal care products and services 978 986 0.8
- 41.
Personal care products and services took 1.2% of average US household spending in 2025, per the BLS.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditures in 2025 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Personal care products and services 1.2 Reading 0.1
- 42.
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists held about 595,000 US jobs in 2025, according to the BLS.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (2026)
Exact wording at the source
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists held about 595,000 jobs in 2025.
- 43.
US employment of barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists is projected to grow 7% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, per the BLS.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (2026)
Exact wording at the source
Overall employment of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
- 44.
The median hourly wage for US hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists was $17.21 in May 2025.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (2026)
Exact wording at the source
The median hourly wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was $17.21 in May 2025.
- 45.
US employment of skincare specialists is projected to grow 9% from 2025 to 2035, according to the BLS.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Skincare Specialists (2026)
Exact wording at the source
Employment of skincare specialists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
- 46.
The median hourly wage for US skincare specialists was $21.79 in May 2025, per the BLS.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Skincare Specialists (2026)
Exact wording at the source
The median hourly wage for skincare specialists was $21.79 in May 2025.
Regulation: FDA and MoCRA
- 47.
The FDA counted 16,398 unique, active cosmetic product facility registrations under MoCRA as of June 30, 2026.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Registration & Listing of Cosmetic Product Facilities and Products (2026)
Exact wording at the source
Number of unique, active facility registrations 1,2 ,3 16,398
- 48.
The FDA counted 1,298,361 unique, active cosmetic product listings under MoCRA as of June 30, 2026.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Registration & Listing of Cosmetic Product Facilities and Products (2026)
Exact wording at the source
Number of unique, active product listings 1, 2,4 1,298,361
- 49.
On average, people use 6 to 12 cosmetic products every day, according to the FDA.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
On average people use 6 to 12 cosmetics products daily.
- 50.
MoCRA is the largest expansion of FDA authority over cosmetics since the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act was passed in 1938.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) is the most significant expansion of FDA’s authority to regulate cosmetics since the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act was passed in 1938.
- 51.
Under MoCRA, the company responsible for a cosmetic must report serious adverse events to the FDA within 15 business days.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
A responsible person is required to report serious adverse events associated with the use of cosmetic products in the United States to FDA within 15 business days.
- 52.
FDA listing data show 51 PFAS chemicals used in 1,744 cosmetic formulations, according to the agency's December 2025 report.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA Finds Insufficient Data to Determine Safety of PFAS in Cosmetic Products (Dec 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Based on mandatory cosmetic product listing data submitted to the FDA, 51 PFAS are used in 1,744 cosmetic formulations.
Questions readers ask
- How big is the global beauty industry?
- L'Oréal estimates the worldwide beauty market at about €300 billion in 2025, measured at manufacturer prices, after growth of roughly 3.5%. Skincare is the largest category at 38% of sales, followed by haircare at 21%, makeup at 17% and perfumes at 14%.
- How big is the US beauty market?
- Circana measured $36 billion in US prestige beauty sales and $72.7 billion in mass beauty sales in 2025, growing 4% and 5%. Both grew 7% in the first half of 2026, with prestige reaching $17.1 billion for the six months.
- Is fragrance still growing?
- Yes, but more slowly. Circana found US mass fragrance sales up 15% in 2025 while prestige fragrance grew 5%, and in the first half of 2026 prestige fragrance grew 6% through higher prices with flat units. Estée Lauder's fragrance sales rose 12% in fiscal 2026.
- How much do Americans spend on beauty and personal care?
- The BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey shows the average US household spent $986 on personal care products and services in 2025, up 0.8% from 2024. That was 1.2% of average household spending.
- What is MoCRA?
- The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 is the biggest expansion of FDA authority over cosmetics since 1938. It requires facility registration, product listing and reporting of serious adverse events within 15 business days; the FDA counted 16,398 registered facilities and about 1.3 million product listings as of June 30, 2026.
Where these numbers come from
Market size figures come from different methods and should not be combined: L'Oréal estimates the global market at net manufacturer prices at constant exchange rates, Cosmetics Europe reports European retail sales, and Circana tracks US retail point of sale sales split into prestige and mass channels. Company figures come from annual reports, Form 10-K filings and results releases; fiscal years differ (Estée Lauder and P&G end in June, Ulta in January, e.l.f. in March), and some growth rates are like for like or organic, which removes currency and acquisition effects. BLS spending data come from the Consumer Expenditure Survey, which missed collection in October and November 2025 because of a federal funding lapse. FDA registration and listing counts cover only facilities and products subject to MoCRA, which exempts some small businesses. Every quote was refetched from the source page on the check date. We store the sentence each number appears in, and a script loads the publisher's page again to make sure that sentence is still there. Our methodology has the details.
Sources
- Beiersdorf. Full year results 2025: Beiersdorf grows in a slowing market, Derma outperforms (Mar 2026).
- Circana. US Prestige and Mass Beauty Retail Deliver a Positive Performance in 2025, Circana Reports (Feb 2026).
- Circana. US Beauty Industry Posts Solid First Half Growth as Fragrance and Skincare Lead Across Prestige and Mass (Aug 2026).
- Circana. US Beauty Market Delivers Steady First Quarter Growth, Circana Reports (May 2026).
- Cosmetics Europe. Our Industry: Economic value of the cosmetics and personal care industry (2026).
- e.l.f. Beauty. e.l.f. Beauty Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results (May 2026).
- Interparfums. Interparfums, Inc. Reports Record 2025 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results (Feb 2026).
- L'Oréal. 2025 Universal Registration Document, 1.2.2 The beauty market (Mar 2026).
- L'Oréal. 2025 Universal Registration Document, estimated global beauty market in 2025 (Mar 2026).
- L'Oréal. 2025 Annual Results (Feb 2026).
- LVMH. LVMH: solid performance in a disrupted global economic and geopolitical environment (Jan 2026).
- Procter & Gamble. The Procter & Gamble Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 (Aug 2026).
- Puig. Puig Achieves Strong Growth And Record Sales Over €5bn, Significantly Improving Profitability, And Continues To Outperform The Premium Beauty Market (Feb 2026).
- The Estée Lauder Companies. The Estée Lauder Companies Reports Fiscal 2026 Results (Aug 2026).
- The Estée Lauder Companies. The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 (Aug 2026).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consumer Expenditures in 2025 (Oct 2026).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (2026).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Skincare Specialists (2026).
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Registration & Listing of Cosmetic Product Facilities and Products (2026).
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) (Oct 2026).
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Finds Insufficient Data to Determine Safety of PFAS in Cosmetic Products (Dec 2025).
- Ulta Beauty. Ulta Beauty Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2025 Results and Provides Fiscal 2026 Guidance (Mar 2026).
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Comredix. (2026, November 13). Beauty Industry Statistics 2026. https://comredix.com/beauty-industry-statistics
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