Q1 Prestige Beauty Products Sales Rise 9% in US

In the first quarter of 2018, sales of US prestige beauty products were $4.2 billion, a 9% increase from Q1 2017, according to global information company The NPD Group.

Continuing the trend of 2017, skin care led overall beauty industry gains in the first quarter of 2018. Classic categories such as toners/clarifyers (+19%), eye treatment (+14%), lip treatment (+14%), and face moisturizer (+11%) performed well, and age specialist products grew sales by +13% compared to the -4% decline last year at this time. The sun care segment also had a bright performance in Q1, with sunscreen sales +47% and self-tanners +38%.  

“Consumer interest in wellness, ingredients, and natural brands continues to fuel skincare and bring attention to the category as well as excite consumers into brick and mortar stores. For the first time in more than three years, the channel is responsible for the majority of the gains in the category,” said Larissa Jensen, executive director and beauty industry analyst, The NPD Group.

Sales of fragrance juices grew by +9% compared to a flat performance in Q1 2017. Home scents continued to perform well, with sales up +68% in Q1, led by candles, diffusers, and other home ancillaries.     

“The last two holiday months of December and February have shown significant improvement over the prior year. This positive momentum continues in March as we head into Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. With a heavy reliance on holiday periods, this may signal a hopeful time for fragrance in 2018,” said Jensen.