Skin care preparations market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German skin care market, including sunscreen preparations, entered the period with heightened awareness of skin cancer risks, leading to requirements for certified sunscreens with high SPF and water resistance in 2018. This did not prevent a market contraction to 1 200 million $ in 2019, but by 2020, the trend toward integrating sun protection into daily skincare routines and growing consumer interest in mineral UV filters supported a moderate recovery, lifting the market to 1 213 million $.

In 2021, the development of the GS-PS-19 testing standard for professional sunscreens set new quality benchmarks, while innovations in formulations and packaging, boosted by e-commerce accessibility, continued to shape the market. However, the market volume dropped significantly to 933 million $ in 2022. By 2023, the expansion of personalized sunscreen offerings and tightening EU regulatory restrictions on nanomaterials in cosmetics contributed to market stabilization at 930 million $.

Market growth to 1 146 million $ in 2024 was driven by the implementation of several EU regulations that banned or restricted nanomaterials and introduced sustainable packaging mandates, spurring the supply of mineral-based and eco-friendly sunscreens. Concurrently, technological advancements in encapsulation and strong consumer demand for multifunctional and personalized skincare products supported the market rebound.

Production skin care preparations in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's output of skin care preparations was valued at 2 124 million US dollars, marking a slight increase of 1.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 1.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 6.3%.

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

Exports skin care preparations from Germany

Exports in kind, M unit

Germany's export volume of skin care preparations declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 899 million units, representing a modest reduction of 4.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 13.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The maximum value was reached in 2018, at 1 051 million units. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 10.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

An analysis of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. The United Kingdom accounted for 11.9% of exports in kind, France for 11.7%, and Poland for 7.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 31.5% of total flows, with the remaining 68.5% distributed among numerous other partners.

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, skin care preparations shipments from Germany to abroad declined. In 2020, Germany exported 2 522 million US dollars worth of skin care preparations, equivalent to a decrease of 6.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 9.4%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 3.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019, at 2 690 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 15.5%.

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

The market base for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was wide. Austria accounted for 7.7% of exports in value terms, the United Kingdom for 7.6%, and France for 7.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented just 22.3% of total flows, with the remaining 77.7% shared by numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports skin care preparations to Germany

Imports in kind, M unit

After a two-year gain, skin care preparations shipments to Germany from abroad declined. In 2020, imports reached 505 million units, which is 5.9% less than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019, at 537 million units. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France, Spain, and Poland remained the main markets for imports in kind of skin care preparations to Germany. France accounted for 20.0% of imports in kind, Spain for 18.7%, and Poland for 13.8%. Together, these three countries took 52.5% of total 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

Skin care preparations volumes to Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 1 610 million US dollars, which is 10.1% weaker compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 2.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018, at 1 821 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 10.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France, Switzerland, and Poland formed the key group of partners for imports in value terms of skin care preparations to Germany. France accounted for 28.1% of imports in value terms, Switzerland for 18.4%, and Poland for 7.9%. Collectively, these three partners represented 54.3% of total flows.

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

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