Cosmetics and skin care market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The cosmetics and skin care market in Germany began the period at a value of 1 669 million US dollars in 2018, with consumer preference for natural or naturally derived beauty ingredients and the availability of organic products for different skin types shaping product offerings. The market volume then contracted over the next three years, declining to 1 474 million in 2019, stabilizing in 2020, and falling further to 1 341 million in 2021.

Subsequent years saw the market landscape evolve, with growing consumer concern over chemicals boosting demand for natural and organic skincare and the entry of new vegan product lines like Boohoo Beauty. By 2024, the market size had decreased to 1 290 million US dollars, a reduction influenced by stronger regulations and compliance hurdles that delayed marketing campaigns and affected market dynamics, alongside continued dominance by mass-market products and the growing importance of online sales channels.

Production cosmetics and skin care in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's cosmetics and skincare production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 2 653 million US dollars, down 1.2% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 5.2% rise to a peak of 2 814 million US dollars. The following year saw the steepest decline of 4.6%.

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

Exports cosmetics and skin care from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Cosmetics and skincare exports from Germany fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, shipments totaled 203.8 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.7% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 14.2%, with an average annual decline of 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's cosmetics and skincare exports were distributed across a broad range of countries. France and the United Kingdom each accounted for 11.2% of the volume, while Poland made up 7.9%. Together, these three partners represented just 30.3% of total exports.

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

Germany's cosmetics and skincare exports declined for the second straight year. In 2020, export value stood at 3 429 million US dollars, a sharp 10.3% drop from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 866 million US dollars, following a 10.5% increase that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated Germany's cosmetics and skincare exports in value terms. France held a 7.4% share, Austria 7.3%, and the United Kingdom 7.0%. Combined, these three countries represented only 21.7% of total export value, with many smaller partners contributing modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports cosmetics and skin care to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's cosmetics and skincare imports declined. In 2020, imports reached 124.7 thousand tonnes, down 7.3% from 2019. The peak was in 2019 at 134.5 thousand tonnes, following a 4.2% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's cosmetics and skincare imports were sourced from a diverse set of countries. France accounted for 18.9% of the volume, Spain 15.7%, and Poland 12.9%. Together, these three partners made up 47.4% of total imports.

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

Germany's cosmetics and skincare imports fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value amounted to 2 250 million US dollars, a 13.8% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 11%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 3.8%. The highest value was in 2018 at 2 720 million US dollars, after a 7.7% increase that year.

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

The market for Germany's cosmetics and skincare imports in value terms was highly diversified from 2017 to 2020. France accounted for 24.9% of imports, Switzerland 13.7%, and Italy 11.0%. These three countries together represented just 49.6% of total import value, with the remaining 50.4% spread across numerous other nations.

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

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