Pore Strips Market

Market Overview

The global pore strips market was valued at USD 1,496.07 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 2,401.6 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period (2023–2031). The rising desire among men and women to retain a youthful appearance and maintain healthy skin is boosting the uptake of pore strips.

Pore strips are sticky strips that remove blackheads and unclog pores on the nose, chin, and forehead. The worldwide Pore Strips market has expanded in recent years due to rising demand for skincare products and increased awareness of the necessity of keeping healthy skin. In the cosmeceutical and personal care sectors, pore strips are extensively utilized. They are marketed through retail channels such as drugstores, specialty stores, and internet merchants in several forms, including charcoal, tea tree oil, and hydrocolloids. Pore strips have grown in popularity because of their convenience and ease of use, and they provide a quick and easy solution to enhance the look of skin.

Market Dynamics

Global Pore Strips Market Drivers

Increasing Skin Concerns and Demand for Single-Use Products Among Consumers

Skin is an essential part of the body. It covers 70% of our body and is exposed to various contaminants like germs, bacteria, viruses, dirt, harsh chemical substances, and sunlight throughout the day. This makes proper skincare vital. Consumer preference for quick-fix solutions and instant facial cleansing products has led to the adoption of pore strips, which offer instant exfoliation and clearer skin. These strips are equipped with essential oils and adhesives that remove excess oils from blocked pores and open the pores to offer smooth and clear skin. Rising stress levels and the growing importance of self-care in recent years have driven consumers to proactively create relaxing self-care experiences through complex skincare routines at home.

Also, Millennials are becoming more conscious of their physical appearances and looks and are willing to use various products proven to give effective skin nourishment and quick fixes. Inspired by these trends, numerous pore strip manufacturers are launching products that contain natural ingredients such as aloe vera, lemon, orange, and charcoal. Rapid urbanization, hectic lifestyles, and rising disposable income are also some of the important factors that are driving product demand. Additionally, the rising desire among men and women to retain a youthful appearance and maintain healthy skin is boosting the uptake of pore strips.

Global Pore Strips Market Restraint

Availability of Permanent Skin Treatments

Skin damage is one of the primary concerns consumers have while choosing and using any skincare product. Consumer demand for sensitive skincare products has been growing as most mass products available in the market result in skin irritation and further damage to the skin. Consumers prefer long-term solutions over fast fixes and are ready to pay extra for such successful solutions. Rapid advancements in skincare technology have resulted in long-term effective treatments against external influences such as pollution and the environment. This has particularly attracted young and millennial consumers, who have increased interest in permanent skincare treatments over quick fixes.

Global Pore Strips Market Opportunities

Industry Opportunities

Creating an ethical, green, and sustainable product portfolio by keeping in mind the millennial and Gen Z generations offers players many opportunities in the pore strips market. Using natural ingredients and opting for recyclable packaging and labeling also bode well for the growth of players in the market. Also, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become a reliable strategy for growth and new opportunities. Shareholders and investors like the idea of an M&A strategy as share prices that were formerly closely correlated to like‑for‑like sales are more likely to respond to the market through acquisition rather than organic top‑line growth.

Design and innovation are two of the most lucrative areas manufacturers can target for a stronger brand reputation. Players in the market have been looking to incorporate DIY skincare kits, especially for women, which include pore strips to remove dirt and blackheads. Additionally, subscription boxes offered by various brands and key players are expected to gain traction among millennial consumers shortly. Social media campaigns, e-commerce improvements, and innovations in the pore strips market are renowned strategies companies adopt to cater to consumer demand in developing countries.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Central and South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global pore strips market shareholder and will likely grow at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period.  There is growing awareness about the benefits of instant blackhead removal products. The increasing number of consumers from the young population in the region is driving the demand for innovative and compact skincare products that effectively address various skin problems such as acne, aging, dehydrated/dry skin, and clogged pores. As pore strips are gender-neutral, more men incorporate them into their personal care regimens, as males have wider pores owing to excess oil accumulation on their skin. These products contain strong adhesive properties that help remove excessive oil formation and blackheads. Such factors will likely drive product adoption among consumers in the Asia Pacific.

Moreover, in January 2021, the Kao Corporation, a prominent chemical and cosmetics company in Japan, introduced its popular skincare brand, Bioré Skincare, in partnership with the leading lifestyle retailer Nykaa in India. Bioré Skincare manufactures and markets pore strips and other products specifically designed to address skin problems such as enlarged pores. Such initiatives will likely drive the Asia Pacific market in the coming years.

North America is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.1% over the forecast period. The pore strips market is expected to be fueled by consumers' growing demand for suitable skin care products. The young consumer's inclination is gradually shifting toward result-oriented and compact skincare products, which can be attributed to their busy work schedules and stressful lifestyles. Moreover, there has been a surge in women seeking innovative skincare products like pore strips that can help mitigate the negative effects of pollution and dust. Pores strips address skin issues like dead skin, larger pores, blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. They also offer additional benefits such as instant exfoliation, deep cleansing, and elimination of excessive oil formation in the skin. These benefits drive their demand among beauty-conscious consumers seeking economical and easily accessible skincare solutions.

In Europe, the growing consumer awareness regarding healthy skin is fueling the pore strips market. Furthermore, rising skin problems and increasing atmospheric pollution are also driving the demand for skincare products, such as pore strips, in the region. Due to the changing and hectic lifestyles of the regional population, especially the younger generation, consumers have started spending more on personal care products to enhance their appearance. Such factors are likely to enhance the growth of the European pore strips market during the forecast period. On the other hand, the prevalence of skin-smoothing products in Europe will further present various growth opportunities for the market in the region.

The Central and South America pore strips market is witnessing traction due to the strong product demand and increased consumer spending on premium beauty products. The increased participation of women in the region's workforce and the considerable rise in their purchasing capacity have contributed to a rise in spending on innovative skincare products. There is also a peak demand for male grooming products in the region. The increasing adoption of pore strips for skin care is due to the rising awareness about the positive effects of various ingredients, such as charcoal, hydrocolloid gel, and other natural ingredients, which is expected to influence this regional market positively. These ingredients will likely minimize the appearance of visibly large pores and make the skin appear youthful and firm.

Moreover, the presence of several leading market players in the region, such as Neutrogena, a premium skincare brand by Johnson and Johnson Consumer Inc., which is engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of beauty products, including blackhead-eliminating pore strips, is also driving the regional product demand.

In the Middle East and Africa, growing consumer awareness regarding healthy facial skin and increasing skin problems due to the rise in pollution levels are the important factors driving the market growth for pore strips in the region. Furthermore, increasing demand for cosmetics due to the changing grooming trends for both men and women is expected to drive the market. Also, the hectic schedules of young consumers have led to an increased demand for effective deep skin treatments that offer quick results. Skin treatment costs are comparatively high in beauty salons and dermatologic clinics. Thus, consumers looking for cost-effective solutions opt for products like pore strips. Such factors fuel the growth of the pore strips market in the region.

Segmental Analysis

The global market is bifurcated into ingredient and end-use.

The global pore strips market is bifurcated based on ingredients into charcoal, tea tree, and non-charcoal.

The non-charcoal segment dominates the global market and will likely exhibit a CAGR of 5.7% over the forecast period. The non-charcoal segment includes various pore strips and ingredients-based products, including neem, bamboo extract, volcanic ash, hazel extract, hemp seed oil, and tea tree oil pore strips. Since consumers opting for pore strips have different skin types, companies are launching products that suit various customer requirements. Consumers with dry skin cannot use pore strips that contain charcoal since charcoal is absorbent and does not hydrate the skin, which could lead to a deeper imbalance among consumers with dry skin. This has created a demand for other pore strips that do not contain charcoal. Some brands that offer non-charcoal pore strips are Biore, Bioaqua, and Cameleon.

Based on end-use, the global pore strips market is bifurcated into salon and home. 

The home segment owns the global market and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 6.47% over the forecast period. Pore strips give results instantly, in the form of blackhead removal, without any manual interference, which is the key factor driving the growth of the pore strip market under the home segment. The high product demand among young consumers with hectic work schedules that leave them no time to visit salons is a major factor driving the demand for pore strips via the home segment. Furthermore, the growing consumer fashion consciousness is anticipated to propel this segment's growth. A rising number of consumers opt for inexpensive and easy-to-use pore strips at home rather than costly skin treatments at salons and spas, boosting product sales through the home sector.

Recent Developments

• April 2023- Unilever has announced the debut of a new pore strip range, "Clearasil Pore Strips." The new strips are intended to eliminate blackheads and whiteheads and come in two varieties: normal and sensitive skin.
• March 2023- Procter and Gamble (P&G) has announced the acquisition of the skincare brand Boscia for USD 1 billion. Boscia is well-known for its pore strips and other skincare items, including cleansers, moisturizers, and masks. P&G expects the acquisition to help it grow its skincare offering and reach new clients.