Cosmetic powders and skin care preparations market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for cosmetic powders and skin care preparations contracted significantly from 1 315 million US dollars in 2018 to 929 million in 2022, with only a slight interruption in 2020. This downward trajectory halted in 2023 when the market stabilized at 931 million, before expanding to 1 145 million in 2024.

Market stabilization in 2023 was supported by the integration of technological innovations such as AI-powered skin analysis and personalized care products, which renewed consumer engagement. Concurrently, heightened demand for cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics, fueled by global trends, provided a stable demand base. The recovery in 2024 was driven by major players like L'Oréal launching new anti-aging lines and the expansion of eco-certified, vegan product ranges showcased at events like Vivaness, which stimulated overall market volume.

Consumer priorities shifted towards proven ingredients, tangible results, and transparency, moving away from extravagant packaging. Strategic industry moves, including Unilever's acquisition of Paula's Choice, reinforced a market focus on science-backed and sustainable brands, embedding digital integration and ethical production as core market drivers.

Production cosmetic powders and skin care preparations in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the output of cosmetic powders and skin care preparations was valued at 2 128 million US dollars in 2020, marking a slight increase of 0.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 2 138 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 6.3% occurring that same year. In contrast, the most significant decline was observed in 2019, when production fell by 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cosmetic powders and skin care preparations from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

For the second year in a row, the volume of cosmetic powders and skin care preparations exported from Germany declined. In 2020, exports stood at 181.5 thousand tons, down by 5.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.9%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 212.9 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 0.8%. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the country composition of Germany's exports in kind for cosmetic powders and skin care preparations was highly dispersed. The top three destinations—the United Kingdom (11.9% of exports in kind), France (11.6%), and Poland (8.0%)—collectively accounted for just 31.4% of total flows. The remaining 68.6% was distributed among a wide range of other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, Germany's export volume of cosmetic powders and skin care preparations in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 600 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate decrease of 6.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports overall increased by 7.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 792 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase of 14.6% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During the 2017-2020 period, the partner portfolio for Germany's exports in value terms of cosmetic powders and skin care preparations was quite broad. The top three markets—Austria (7.7% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (7.6%), and France (6.9%)—together represented only 22.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports cosmetic powders and skin care preparations to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year increase, deliveries of cosmetic powders and skin care preparations to Germany declined. In 2020, imports reached 105.1 thousand tons, showing a moderate decline of 6.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 3.6%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 1.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 112.0 thousand tons, with the largest annual increase of 6.7% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017-2020, France (19.4% of imports in kind), Spain (17.9%), and Poland (14.1%) formed the core group of markets for Germany's imports in kind of cosmetic powders and skin care preparations. Together, these three countries accounted for 51.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

For the second consecutive year, the volume of cosmetic powders and skin care preparations imported by Germany in value terms declined. In 2020, imports totaled 1 709 million US dollars, representing a robust reduction of 10.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.2%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 1 949 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 10.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, France (27.0% of imports in value terms), Switzerland (17.6%), and Poland (8.4%) remained the main markets for Germany's imports in value terms of cosmetic powders and skin care preparations. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 53.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020