Anti-Acne Cosmetics Market

Market Overview

The global anti-acne cosmetics market size was worth USD 3,800 million in 2021 and is estimated to reach an expected value of USD 8460 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 9.3% over the forecast period (2022-2030).

Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease affecting nearly 85% of the population (aged 11 to 30) across the globe. The high prevalence of acne among adults and adolescents is anticipated to drive market growth. Additionally, men's and women's increased consumption of cosmetics, particularly in emerging economies, and the severe social stigma associated with acne are thought to be the main drivers of growth.

Market Dynamics

Global Anti-Acne Cosmetics Market Drivers

• High Psychological Burden Associated with Acne

The health impact of acne is more than on an individual’s physical appearance, as it is also known to affect a patient’s mental health significantly. Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, poor self-image, poor quality of life, and loneliness are some of the psychological issues associated with acne. For instance, according to a study published in Reuters, acne patients are 46% more prone to suffer from major depressive disorder than the non-acne population. Furthermore, a study that appeared in the International Journal of Women's Dermatology found that women with moderate and severe acne had lower self-esteem and higher levels of embarrassment. These psychological problems are projected to lead patients to seek cosmetic treatments to boost their self-esteem and looks, fueling market expansion.

Furthermore, teenagers suffering from acne are known to avoid going to school/college due to low self-esteem, negatively affecting their academic performance. At the same time, adults avoid going to the office due to embarrassment and face reduced career choices, as occupations emphasizing physical appearance, such as modeling, are not accessible to these individuals. Thus, the negative impact of acne on an individual’s career is anticipated to compel people to seek medical/cosmetic treatment, thereby fueling the market growth.

• Increase in Middle-Class Population

According to European Commission, by 2030, the global middle-class population is projected to be more than 5 billion. India is the world’s largest consumer market, and more than 70% of the Chinese people will be middle class. Moreover, middle-class spending is estimated to increase from nearly USD 37 trillion in 2017 to USD 64 trillion in 2030, accounting for approximately 1/3rd of GDP growth, mainly attributed to the growing middle-class population in emerging economies. The growth of the middle-class population is anticipated to increase purchasing power, thereby boosting expenditure on nonessential products, such as cosmetics and other luxury items.

Furthermore, market players are targeting Asian middle-class consumers to leverage their growing consumer base. For instance, Shiseido is expanding its production capacity to meet the rising demand due to the growing middle-class population in emerging markets of Southeast Asia and China. Such initiatives by market players are also anticipated to drive market growth.

Global Anti-Acne Cosmetics Market Restraint

• Skin Positivity Movement

Skin positivity is a term that encourages individuals to accept imperfections in their skin, such as pigmentation & scars and acne, and posts photos on social media platforms that reflect their actual appearance. Skin positivity emphasizes self-love & confidence and reduces shame & stigma associated with visible skin conditions. Such trending beauty campaigns on social media are anticipated to limit market growth, as these trends highly influence millennials.

Social media influencers are also playing a pivotal role in promoting skin positivity and skin neutrality. For instance, body-positive activist Charli Howard, founder of Squish Beauty and Instagram page, believes in covering pimples with flower acne patches, interspersed with bejeweled embellishments and faux diamonds, while many young body image activists and Gen Z influencers are removing taboo and are shifting attention to acne positivity instead of blogs on acne treatment. Some other influencers' accounts actively promoting skin positivity & neutrality on social media platforms are My Pale Skin Blog and Anjali Mahto. These influencers are anticipated to highly modify consumers’ attitudes toward acne, thereby limiting the adoption of anti-acne treatments.

Global Anti-Acne Cosmetics Market Opportunities

• Increasing Number of Working Female Population

The growing number of working females causes a strong demand for anti-acne cosmetics. The market for anti-acne cosmetics is anticipated to increase due to female employees' concerns about their looks across various industries. For instance, the World Bank reports that in Canada, the proportion of women in the labor force went from 47.15% in 2016 to 47.27% in 2018.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global anti-acne cosmetics market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa. 

Asia Pacific accounted for the largest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.1% during the forecast period. Factors such as an increase in the middle- and upper-income classes and a growing number of senior citizens looking for skincare products are expected to boost the market growth. According to L’Oréal’s annual report of 2019, Asia Pacific held the leading share of its global cosmetics market and accounted for 57% of its skincare market in the same year. The popularity of luxury skincare products helps the Asian skincare business. Major skincare companies are trying to strengthen their sales distribution network in countries such as India and China, which are populous countries with high potential market growth.

Europe Is the second largest region. It is estimated  to reach an expected value of USD 1780 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 9.6%. According to the British Medical Journal, there are about 3.5 million consultations with G.P.s for acne in the U.K. annually. Issues such as loss of confidence, impairment of normal social & workplace function, and depression are documented effects on the quality of life for individuals suffering from acne. According to the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Perfumery Association, in 2019, skincare held the second-largest market share of 23.1% in the U.K. after toiletries. According to Cosmetic Design, British women spent USD 1.55 billion on facial skincare in 2019, with sales expected to increase by 3%. This indicates the popularity of skincare treatment among the population. According to News 18, 92% of British women currently use facial cleansers, which include face wash (55%), wipes (54%), or micellar water or toner (27%). Women's use of day creams increased from 59% in 2017 to 66% in 2018. The news also reported that there might be a significant influence of Korean beauty regimes, with more British women adopting multiple-step skincare treatments. This emphasizes the desire for flawless skin among the population and growing awareness about skincare in the country. Acne treatments include various facial products, such as lotion, masks, and serums with different active ingredients, all of which are gaining popularity in the country. Growing awareness about the importance of skin health and its long-term well-being in the U.K. is a significant driver of the anti-acne cosmetics market. However, according to the British Association of Dermatologists, there are only 650 consultant dermatologists in the U.K., many of whom work part-time. This lack of skilled professionals is expected to hinder the market growth. Companies are undertaking new initiatives to address this, such as establishing Dramatica in 2018. This online dermatology platform provides prescription skin care products, wherein patients can easily upload images, and consultants can provide information about their skin concerns.

North America is the third largest region. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most prevalent skin condition in the U.S., affecting between 40 million and 50 million individuals. A study conducted by JAMA Dermatology stated that in westernized societies such as the U.S., acne is a universal skin disease, afflicting 79% to 95% of the adolescent population, and it mentioned that the prevalence of acne increases with age. It also revealed that up to 85% of the U.S. population would be affected with acne vulgaris at some point in their lives. Large volumes of meat, dairy, refined grains, and sugar in the diet of people in the U.S. may be a key factor leading to conditions that contribute to the prevalence of acne. Obesity and diabetes, which remain at epidemic proportions in the U.S., are also associated with acne-promoting hormone shifts and lead to increased acne prevalence. This has increased the cost of medical care related to acne treatment. The direct and indirect cost of acne is estimated to be around USD 3 billion per year, out of which USD 1 million is spent on Over-the-Counter (OTC) products for treating acne. According to the U.S. Pharmacist, the significant component of the booming anti-acne market is the extensive marketing of these products, the implications of increased self-confidence & clearer skin, and the number of available products. Companies such as Murad, Clinique, and PCA Skin offer the country's most famous anti-acne treatment brands. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, in 2013, around 5.1 million people sought medical treatment for acne, primarily children and young adults. In 2016, the U.S. FDA approved the first OTC topical retinoid in the U.S., which allows patients to buy an effective non-antimicrobial product to treat their condition. Dermatologists most frequently prescribe therapies such as oral isotretinoin, oral antibiotics, and combination therapy. The factors mentioned above are expected to propel the country's anti-acne cosmetics market growth. 

Segmental Analysis

The global anti-acne cosmetics market is segmented by end-use and region. 

By end-use

the global anti-acne cosmetics market is segmented into dermatology clinics and medspa. The medspa segment dominated the market and is estimated to register a CAGR of 9.6% during the forecast period. Med spas of esthetic clinics are facilities wherein cosmetic treatments are administered under the supervision of a licensed physician. Med spas are generally a combination of esthetic medical centers and day spas that offer corrective medical skin care treatments and products. Med spas are increasingly adopting novel treatment systems to cater to the broader esthetic needs of patients. Therefore, the segment is witnessing growth. Med spa employees are required to have a license in esthetics as well as medical education. Med spas have to be mandatorily owned by a physician. In 2018, the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) reported that more than 5,431 med spas were operating in the U.S., which has increased by 50% since 2016. Factors such as membership subscriptions, service marketing, adoption of novel laser technologies, and cost-effective treatments are expected to boost the med spa market significantly.

The dermatology clinic segment is the second largest. The CDC reported that in the U.S., around 39 million visits were made to office-based dermatologists in 2010. From 1995 to 2013, the number of dermatologists increased by 21%, according to JAMA Dermatology. Due to the rising frequency of skin cancer and lifestyle-related skin problems such as acne, atopic dermatitis, and hyperpigmentation, there are more dermatological practices in the United States and Canada. An increasing number of people in these countries seek skin specialists for cosmetic procedures to look more youthful and esthetically appealing.

Recent Developments

• September 2022 - L’Oréal signed an agreement to acquire Skinbetter Science, a physician-dispensed American skincare brand backed by cutting-edge, dermatological science, combining patented efficacious ingredients with luxurious sensorial textures.
• July 2022 - The North Asia Zone of the L'Oréal Group is the first region in the entire company to achieve carbon neutrality for all operated sites, plants, distribution centers, offices, and research & innovation centers spanning the five geographic markets of Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. This accomplishment represents a crucial turning point in the company's efforts to combat the dire threat of climate change.
• June 2022 - The largest European technology industry conference and expo, Viva Technology (Viva Tech) 2022, taking place 15–18 June in Paris, is where L'Oréal will present its vision for the Future of Beauty. The pioneer in the cosmetics sector will bring guests through an investigation of Web3 and the developing cosmetics metaverse, as well as cosmetics innovations for the home, in-store, and salons. With a cutting-edge 325m2 display combining immersive beauty experiences from major brands throughout its luxury, mass consumer, professional haircare, and active cosmetics portfolio, L'Oréal returns to the sixth edition of Viva Tech.
• May 2022 - The L’Oréal group, the world’s leading beauty player, announces the launch of the L’Oréal BOLD FEMALE FOUNDERS initiative designed to support female-led startups. Its venture capital fund, BOLD Business Opportunities for L’Oréal Development, will develop it through a dedicated initial allocation of 25 million euros.
• May 2022 - L'Oréal's most significant suncare invention in 30 years, UVMune 400 is the company's first sun filtering technology that effectively shields the skin against ultra-long UVA rays, which account for 30% of solar rays that have not yet been sufficiently filtered. With this significant scientific advancement, L'Oréal contributes to avoiding sun-induced deep skin damage, a significant public health concern. La Roche-Posay Anthelios franchise, the first brand in the Group to utilize this powerful technology, is currently carrying UVMune 400.