In the first half of 2024, the U.S. prestige beauty market grew by 8% to $15.3 billion, while sales at mass merchants held flat, according to Circana, an advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior. Here are key highlights and takeaways across the beauty landscape through the first six months of the year.  

Fragrance is the fastest-growing prestige beauty category so far this year, with dollar sales up 12% in the first half versus the same period in 2023. Sales are growing at both the higher and lower ends of the price spectrum within prestige: eau de parfums and parfums continue to drive the greatest impact to growth and rising prices, while lower-priced products including mini sizes and body sprays are contributing to the category’s success.

In fact, units sold for mini- and travel-sized products grew at double the rate compared to the overall fragrance category. Largely trending among younger consumers, body mists and sprays, with average prices under $25, more than doubled in sales revenue since the first half of 2023. Younger consumers are also fueling the dupe culture trend, which is a particular bright spot in the mass fragrance market, where private label brands grew more than 50% — many brands of which are touted as affordable duplicates of prestige and luxury brands.

Makeup remains the largest category in the prestige market as year over year sales grew by 5%. The lip segment continued to outperform, with double-digit growth led by lip balms and oils. Less traditional makeup forms are also outperforming outside of the lip segment, including liquid blush; stick, balm, and liquid bronzer; stick foundation; and stick eye shadow. In the mass market cosmetics aisle, lip gloss, and liner were top sales gainers, further illustrating the consumer focus on lips.

Through June, prestige skin care dollar sales increased by 7% and it remains the fastest-growing category based on units sold. Body is the fastest-growing segment of the skin care market, with body spray sales growing triple-digits and large volume segments like creams, lotions, and cleaners also contributing to this trend with double-digit growth.

According to Circana’s receipt-based Checkout data, first half consumer spending on prestige body products increased by 25% and there are 17% more buyers in this market than there were last year.

Hair product sales in the prestige market increased by 10%, based on dollars, with styling and treatments the fastest-growing areas of the category. Premiumization continues to drive growth; hair products with average prices above $30 grew at three-times the rate of lower priced items and now account for 25% of unit sales for the category — compared to 15% just 3 years ago. The prestige hair market also tells an interesting channel story, as the only beauty category with the majority of sales happening online. In fact, the e-commerce channel is showing no signs of slowing, with sales growing double digits. 

“An accelerated bifurcation is emerging in the beauty industry highlighted by the continued strong growth in prestige in relation to the mass market,” said Larissa Jensen, global beauty industry advisor at Circana. “Within prestige, drivers of growth point to a similar pattern, indicative of a consumer who is seeking elevated value. Optimizing these opportunities will vary as consumers’ approach to beauty spending differs by demographic — from attitudes and usage, to purchase influencers and shopping preferences.”

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Vital Proteins Debuts Targeted Beauty Offerings for Hair and Skin

Vital Proteins, a leading brand in collagen-based products and beauty supplements, has released new targeted supplements: Vital Proteins Hair Complex and Vital Proteins Skin Complex. Each of the new products contains a blend of ingredients with functional benefits tailored to top concerns around hair growth and skin support, plus an added boost of Vital Proteins collagen. The unflavored powders were designed to fit into existing everyday routines and be enjoyed in hot or cold drinks.

The introduction of Vital Proteins Hair Complex and Vital Proteins Skin Complex comes amid a beauty supplement boom, attributed to the rising self-care movement. These new innovations answer to a greater overall desire among people to “look” their best from the inside out.

“Wellness today means many different things — it’s no longer a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, which means we needed to critically look at our solutions to evolve and expand too,” said Jill Abbott, general manager at Vital Proteins. “Consumers were telling us they wanted a simplified way to address their biggest beauty pain points. And because we’re motivated to help people look their best from within, we specifically designed our new Hair & Skin Complexes using functional ingredients that target these concerns — along with the collagen they know and love.”

Hair health is the leading reason nearly 40% of women take a vitamin like biotin or collagen, or both. Vital Proteins Hair Complex was developed to provide a simplified and effective hair care solution that nourishes locks from within, the company said.

Featuring a  blend of Lustriva, a biotin complex, and collagen peptides, Vital Proteins Hair Complex is formulated with high-quality, scientifically-backed ingredients clinically shown to help grow thicker and fuller hair in 12 weeks. Suitable for all hair types, the new supplement is designed to help with supporting overall hair quality.

Meanwhile, achieving a glowing complexion is equally as important to men and women, but many aren’t familiar with the right products to use. New Vital Proteins Skin Complex offers a way to target many of the top skin concerns in a single clinically-formulated supplement.

Made from a blend of Holimel branded melon juice concentrate, Verisol Collagen Peptides, Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, the new offering helps to support a youthful appearance from the inside out.

Vital Proteins Hair Complex and Vital Proteins Skin Complex are both Whole30 approved, made without gluten and dairy, and contain no artificial sugars or sweeteners.

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iHerb Adds Martha Stewart Wellness Line to Global Platform

iHerb, a leading e-commerce retailer for vitamins, minerals, supplements, and other health and wellness products, has added three new supplements from Martha Stewart, Marquee Brands, and Project #1 Nutrition. The new line of Martha Stewart Wellness supplements includes Marine Wellness Collagen, Wellness Greens, and Wellness Reds.

“As longtime advocates of healthy everyday living, we sought to expand our Wellness assortment with targeted, all-in-one supplements that fit conveniently into people’s busy lives,” said Thomas Joseph, executive vice president, Culinary at Martha Stewart. “Martha’s well publicized morning juicing regimen and her ongoing influence in the wellness space, which reached the masses with Whole Living magazine, were instrumental to our decision. With so many people prioritizing their health and wellness today, we are thrilled to provide three powerful, precisely formulated, and great tasting solutions to help them achieve their wellness goals.”

The new products from Martha Stewart Wellness use all-natural, sustainably sourced ingredients and are free from any artificial additives. The product line was designed with versatility and ease-of-use by offering supplements that provide a range of benefits and can be used to support a healthy lifestyle.

“We are thrilled to partner with Martha Stewart and Project #1 Nutrition to offer her carefully crafted wellness products to customers around the world who understand the importance of living your best life at any age,” said Lindsey Wiefels, senior vice president of merchandising at iHerb. “The Martha Stewart name is synonymous with quality, taste, and attention to detail, making her new wellness line a sought-after product with tremendous international appeal.”

The following Martha Stewart Wellness Products are now available on the iHerb website and mobile app:

• Martha Stewart Marine Wellness Collagen, available in lemon, coffee, and unflavored supports collagen production and promotes quality sleep with advanced formulas. Collagen peptides enhance bone strength, skin elasticity, and hair and nail growth.
• Martha Stewart Wellness Reds unleashes natural energy stores and safeguard vital functions with antioxidants and probiotics in a pomegranate and passionfruit blend. This mixture helps boost metabolism and supports energy levels throughout the day.
• Martha Stewart Wellness Greens feeds essential superfoods to the body with spinach, celery, and ginger root balanced with bright citrus. This supplement provides a day’s worth of green vegetables in a single serving, offering an energy and immunity boost.

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Hydrolyzed Elastin Market Expected to See Double-Digit Market Growth

The global Hydrolyzed Elastin Market is projected to expand at a CAGR rate of 12.9% from 2024 to 2031, outpacing the Hydrolyzed Collagen Market’s expected 9.5% growth rate.

Body Kitchen, a wellness brand that leads in creating innovative, top-selling elastin supplements using scientifically validated ingredients, responded to industry forecasts.

“We anticipated that the elastin category would overtake collagen as the in-demand ingredient when we launched Collagen + Elastin,” said Ravi Gogineni, company co-founder and key member of the product development team. “By pivoting from our roots as a collagen innovator to an elastin trailblazer, we became the first U.S. supplement brand to feature branded, premium-grade elastin at clinically backed levels.”

Elastin is the key protein responsible for maintaining skin’s elasticity, suppleness, and youthful appearance. Production of elastin declines naturally with age. Sun damage, chronic stress, and poor diet also cause elasticity to erode, leading to the formation of wrinkles, sagging skin, and loss of youthful facial contours.

Hydrolyzed elastin is the powder form used in nutritional supplements. Through the process of hydrolysis, the protein molecules are extracted and broken down for absorption.

Body Kitchen relies on branded ingredients for consistent quality, traceability, and clinical substantiation.

Collagen + Elastin is a drink mix featuring two branded protein ingredients in one scoop:

• 2,500 mg of patented, grass-fed Verisol Collagen, clinically shown to increase collagen content by 65% and elastin content by 18%, according to a study published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology.
• 250 mg of Prolastin Marine Elastin from France. This is the highest daily dose of branded elastin available in a dissolvable powder and is supported by scientific studies, the company said.

The popular skin care formula also features vitamin C, an essential nutrient that supports production of both proteins, and hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that retains skin moisture.

Collagen + Elastin is one of three products in Body Kitchen’s elastin supplement lineup.

“Our customers appreciate the powerful combination of collagen and elastin,” said Gogineni. “It delivers the best of both worlds.”

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NOW Enters CBD Market with Topical Products

Natural products company NOW has entered the cannabidiol (CBD) marketplace with three new topical products that contain CBD, which it released under the NOW Solutions line. These are the first CBD products the company has launched.

“These have been long awaited, pending for over 5 years while we made sure to follow all of the legal guidelines carefully around our CBD decision and process,” said Tina Tews, beauty and aromatherapy category manager of NOW Health Group. “It was important to us to create products that endure rather than quickly jump on a trend.”

The company chose to use broad spectrum hemp extract, which contains a range of naturally-occurring phytocannabinoids from the cannabis plant including CBD, but excludes tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Broad-spectrum hemp extract also contains other naturally-occurring compounds from the plant like terpenes and flavonoids.

The three new products include:

• CBD Joint & Muscle Cream, which contains spicy, soothing essences of arnica, menthol, and capsaicin, along with 250 mg of CBD per ounce in a non-greasy cream suitable for use anywhere, anytime.
• CBD Massage Oil, which combines 250 mg of CBD per ounce with essences of arnica and calendula, in a base of antioxidant rich oils.
• CBD Balm, an extra-strength blend of camphor, menthol, and soothing botanicals, with 500 mg of CBD per ounce.

The line is designed to soothe and nourish skin for everyday wellness, and, like all of NOW Solutions’ offerings, is certified cruelty-free.

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Charlotte’s Web Debuts CBD Topical Collection in Walmart

Charlotte’s Web (TSX: CWEB) (OTCQX: CWBHF), a leader in hemp-derived CBD wellness products, has introduced its CBD topical products in 827 Walmart stores across five states: California, Illinois, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania.

The new line of competitively priced CBD topicals is formulated with CBD isolate. The collection includes a balm stick, a cream, and a cooling gel, each containing 1,000 mg of concentrated CBD isolate. These are blended with soothing and cooling ingredients including menthol, camphor, and aloe vera. All products are non-GMO, cruelty-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and formulated without major allergens.

“We are proud to introduce CBD topicals at Walmart, reflecting Charlotte’s Web’s dedication to setting new standards of excellence in the CBD industry, ensuring every Walmart shopper can experience the transformative benefits of our meticulously crafted products. We are not only broadening our retail footprint but also reinforcing our mission to innovate and elevate the consumers’ wellness journeys through science-backed CBD solutions,” said Bill Morachnick, CEO of Charlotte’s Web.

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Oral Probiotics, Prebiotics May Benefit Acne and Eczema

There is an emerging market for nutraceuticals to support the skin-gut axis, as researchers learn more about the role the gut microbiome plays in modulating and regulating skin health. Probiotical is demonstrating its leadership in this research, with a clinical study published  in Medicina that links probiotics and prebiotics (synbiotic) with improvements in atopic dermatitis and eczema.

With more than 40 years of experience in probiotic research and development, Probiotical has a long history of producing science-backed probiotic and postbiotic strains for skin health. The company’s oral probiotic blends have been used successfully by consumers suffering from common skin conditions such as acne and eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis or AD), as well as to support healthy hair and healthy aging.

While there is growing evidence supporting the connection between the skin and microbiomes, the role of the skin-gut axis in atopic dermatitis (AD/eczema) remains a subject of debate. This is limiting the interventional use of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. Probiotical set out to expand the evidence base of their potential as a monotherapy for stable, mild cases of eczema.

A team of independent researchers in Italy conducted this multicenter, retrospective observational study published using a finished product developed with three unique Probiotical bacteria strains — Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BS01, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP14, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LR05 —  along with FOS (prebiotic) and riboflavin. The synbiotic product was administered orally to 144 patients with mild atopic dermatitis, without a placebo control group.

Clinical assessments using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), and Three-Item Severity (TIS) score were conducted for 12 weeks. Researchers observed that both itching (pruritus) and AD-related lesions (redness known as erythema, edema/papules, excoriation which is excessive picking or scratching) exhibited significant clinical and statistical improvement (p < 0.001) after 12 weeks of exclusive probiotic and prebiotic use. Itching is a major and often debilitating symptom of atopic dermatitis.

The researchers noted, “These preliminary results suggest a potential link between the skin-gut microbiome and support the rationale for using specific probiotics and prebiotics in mild AD, even for maintenance, to reduce flares. This may be mediated in part by improvement in barrier function in the gut.”

“Probiotics for skin health is an up-and-coming category with tremendous potential. We anticipate the momentum to accelerate quickly,” said Probiotical CEO Vera Mogna. “The use of Probiotical’s probiotic strains for skin health could conceivably enable you to position your company as a category leader. The advantages of working with Probiotical include the depth of our full-spectrum expertise in strain development and manufacturing, testing and research. We can also customize probiotics with other ingredients such as prebiotics, botanicals and minerals, while maintaining viability and confirming stability.”

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Fresha Reveals Most Common Skin Concerns in the U.S.

With recent findings revealing a surge in skin care problems such as heat rash and hyperpigmentation, largely attributed to sun exposure, beauty experts stress the importance of sun protection year-round. 

The data, revealed by beauty and wellness marketplace Fresha, analyzed average monthly Google searches to identify the most common skin concerns. State-specific findings were scaled against the population to get a per 100k search rate. 

The data shows there is a nationwide average of 17,250 searches made around common skin issues every month. 

Heat rash, caused by sweating and excessive sun exposure, was the most common concern across all states, with a total of 5,832 monthly searches. 

The majority of these came from Hawaii (289 searches per 100k) — reporting a 104% higher concern than Florida (142 searches per 100k). 

Hyperpigmentation, often caused by insufficient sun protection, was the second-most common concern, with over 1,857 monthly searches nationwide (214% less than those made for heat rash). 

States where the issue was most pressing were California (62 monthly searches per 100k residents), New York (61 per 100k), and Maryland (58 per 100k).

Acne ranked third with 1,359 average monthly searches, more than a third (36.6%) lower than hyperpigmentation. The most monthly searches were made In New York (51 per 100k), California (46 per 100k), and New Jersey (45 per 100k).

Blackheads are fourth on the list of skin concerns, with 1,266 average monthly searches across the U.S. Most concerns came from Hawaii, with 39 monthly searches per 100k, while New York followed second (34 searches per 100k).

Often referred to as sunspots, age spots ranked fifth with a total of 1,144 average monthly searches made nationwide. States most commonly experiencing the concern are New York, Hawaii, and Massachusetts (31, 29 and 28 searches per 100k residents, respectively).  

In response to the trends, beauty experts stress the importance of prioritizing sun protection in daily skincare routines.

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Dr. Bronner’s Launches Pure-Castile Liquid Soap Refill Cartons in U.S.

Dr. Bronner’s has launched a new 32 oz. Soap Refill Carton package for its Pure-Castile Liquid Soap. Available in multiple retailers across the U.S., the Soap Refill Carton can be used to refill existing bottles or other containers for personal care and home cleaning use. By purchasing a 32 oz. Pure-Castile Liquid Soap Refill Carton, customers will reduce their plastic use by 82% compared to the company’s 32 oz. post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic bottles. Dr. Bronner’s Soap Refill Carton is part of an ongoing effort by the company to reduce its plastic use and production.

“We created our Pure-Castile Liquid Soap Refill Carton to reduce the number of plastic bottles we put into the world,” said David Bronner, cosmic engagement officer (CEO) of Dr. Bronner’s. “Ideally, the recycling rate for plastic bottles in this country would be close to 100%. Unfortunately, the rate is closer to 30%, and disposal of plastic packaging in landfills is not sustainable. We commissioned a life cycle analysis looking at what packaging material was most ecological to package our refill offering in: paper carton vs. aluminum vs. glass vs. plastic. The paper carton performed the best on every relevant ecological impact measure even when accounting for the recycling rates of each material, nationally.”

Prior to developing the Refill Carton, Dr. Bronner’s engaged with EcoImpact-COMPASS to conduct a life cycle analysis to determine the most ecological packaging for a refill offering. The paper carton, even if sent to a landfill, had the lowest packaging environmental impact compared to popular refill options in aluminum and glass.

Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap Refill Carton is made from 69% Forest Stewardship Council certified paper, 5% aluminum, and 26% polyethylene with a polypropylene cap. The Refill Carton reduces plastic consumption by 82% per quart compared to Dr. Bronner’s 32 oz. PCR bottles. Typical carton packages for juice or plant-based milks have an interior wax lining, however, soap deteriorates this lining. To address this, the carton has a thin interior plastic lining, which reduces the total amount of plastic needed to contain the soap. The company is actively working to achieve over 90% plastic reduction for the refill cartons within the next year.

“Dr. Bronner’s and our customers are very eco-conscious. We seek to ‘Treat the Earth Like Home’ in all we do. For years, our customers have been asking us to package our soap with less plastic. This new packaging is a crucial step in addressing our plastic use as a company,” said Michael Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner’s. “About 15 years ago, we were among the first adopters of 100% PCR plastic bottles for liquid soaps, and now are taking the next step by improving our packaging with this Soap Refill Carton option. It is imperative that we reduce our collective use of plastic on Earth.”

Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soaps remain available in PCR plastic bottles — a packaging innovation which Dr. Bronner’s helped pioneer more than 15 years ago. The company was among the first American companies to package liquid soaps in 100% PCR plastic bottles. In addition to the new Soap Refill Carton, the company encourages customers to shop bulk 1-gallon and 5-gallon options and refill in-store where available.