Cosmetic Ingredient Market Overview and Development Trends Amid the Pandemic

发布时间: 2021-12-07 10:54 浏览次数： 3848次

Currently, the world remains shrouded in the shadow of the pandemic. In 2021, according to expert analyses and incomplete statistical data, the global cosmetics market experienced a slow decline. Amid consumption upgrades and the general safety of established brand products, the key factor influencing consumer purchases is no longer low prices but rather efficacy and ingredients. Therefore, ingredient R&D is crucial to continuously improving cosmetic product quality.

Market Landscape of Cosmetic Ingredients in China

Global cosmetic ingredient market share is highly concentrated, with 40% held by ten leading multinational corporations, including BASF (Germany), Ashland (USA), Croda (UK), Symrise (Germany), Dow Corning (USA), DSM (Netherlands), Lubrizol (USA), Clariant (Switzerland), Evonik (Germany), and Wacker (Germany). Although foreign companies dominate most of China's cosmetic ingredient market, domestic manufacturers have developed competitive advantages in specific areas over the past 30 years through persistent development and catch-up efforts. These include hyaluronic acid, pearl powder, and Chinese herbal ingredients. Beyond meeting domestic demand, these materials are also exported for foreign exchange earnings. However, many of the currently popular ingredients—such as amino acids, niacinamide, fruit acids, peptides, pro-xylane, retinol, surfactants, and sunscreen filters—still rely heavily on imports.

功效护肤

Currently, global consumers are no longer satisfied with cosmetic ingredients that offer only a single benefit. Instead, they expect one ingredient to deliver multiple effects and provide more comprehensive skincare results.

Facial Cleansing Category

Amino Acids: Set to dominate in the coming years, amino acids are currently the most popular ingredient. As a small-molecule humectant, they are a component of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF). Amino acid-based surfactants, derived from amino acids, exhibit excellent skin affinity. Cleansing products formulated with these ingredients produce rich foam and leave the skin clean without tightness. Known for their mildness and ability to avoid damaging the skin barrier, amino acids have emerged as a standout among cosmetic cleansing ingredients and are poised to remain a consumer favorite in the years to come.

Squalane: Gaining popularity steadily, squalane follows hyaluronic acid as a hot moisturizing ingredient. Squalene, an important component of the skin's natural sebum, is unstable and easily oxidizes into peroxides, which can lead to breakouts. As a hydrogenated derivative of squalene, squalane is more stable, resistant to oxidation, and has strong skin affinity, forming a protective film on the epidermis. Thanks to its moisturizing, nourishing, gentle, and non-irritating properties, squalane is gradually becoming more widely adopted.

(Squalane Nanoemulsion)

Hyaluronic Acid: Its leading position remains unshaken. Sodium hyaluronate, commonly known as hyaluronic acid, is currently the most popular moisturizing ingredient. Due to its exceptional hydrating and thickening properties, hyaluronic acid is highly favored in the cosmetics industry. Chinese companies hold a dominant position in the global hyaluronic acid raw material market.

Whitening and Exfoliation Category

Niacinamide: Currently at the peak of popularity, it is expected to remain trendy for another 3 to 5 years. In most products with whitening and antioxidant effects, niacinamide is the key active ingredient for brightening. Whitening is a perennial pursuit for Asians. Niacinamide not only inhibits the formation of melanin granules but also effectively prevents the transfer of melanin to keratinocytes. Additionally, when some melanin inevitably reaches the skin's surface, niacinamide accelerates skin cell renewal to promote the shedding of pigment-containing keratinocytes, thereby improving skin texture and achieving a brighter complexion from within. Scientific research shows that beyond its well-known whitening effects, niacinamide also helps reduce sebum production, repair the skin barrier, and delay aging.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Continuously evolving with strong longevity, AHAs are widely recognized as the leading exfoliating ingredients. The mechanism of AHAs involves removing surface pigmentation and excess keratin buildup to achieve skin renewal. Over the years, the irritancy of AHAs has been significantly reduced, making them increasingly applicable in cosmetics. Recently, promoted by international brands, AHAs have gained even greater popularity. Currently, fourth-generation AHAs have been developed, though not yet widely adopted, and show remarkable efficacy in combating blackheads.

Firming and Anti-Aging Category

Pro-Xylane: Beloved by consumers worldwide, in the global anti-aging sector, alongside long-popular ingredients like carnosine, peptides, fullerene, and fermented yeast, Pro-Xylane is one of the most sought-after powerhouse anti-aging components. Research indicates that Pro-Xylane offers multiple benefits, including preventing skin moisture loss, improving firmness, repairing the skin barrier, and delaying aging.

Retinol: An optimal anti-aging choice for non-sensitive skin. Retinol, also known as Vitamin A, is a star ingredient rivaling Pro-Xylane, with multiple skincare benefits. Studies show that retinol offers anti-aging, acne-fighting, brightening, and antioxidant properties.

(Retinol Liposomes)

Global consumers are increasingly favoring "natural-style" cosmetics that are healthy, natural, and safe for skincare. Additionally, the growing prevalence of skin concerns such as acne, redness, spots, aging, barrier damage, under-eye bags, and dark circles—often caused by external factors—has driven the popularity of high-tech, efficacy-focused products. The global cosmetic ingredient market has shown two major development trends: the natural trend and the technology trend. In China, the natural trend is reflected in the growing awareness among domestic cosmetic companies and brands of the crucial role that R&D of novel cosmetic ingredients plays in driving progress.

The technology trend in China’s cosmetic ingredient market is mainly manifested in two aspects. On one hand, high-tech biological ingredients originally from the field of biotechnology, such as live cells or stem cells, are being applied in the cosmetics industry. On the other hand, with the advent of the microecological skincare era, cosmetics containing ingredients like probiotics and prebiotics are set to experience explosive growth and popularity. In the rapidly changing landscape of 2022, Zhina Technology will closely follow market development trends and dedicate itself to creating innovative efficacy-driven skincare.

Sensitive Skin Repair Category

Centella Asiatica: Its market share is set to rise further. Centella asiatica offers multiple benefits, including clearing heat, eliminating dampness, detoxifying, reducing swelling, inhibiting inflammation, scar removal, promoting wound healing, and stimulating hair growth. As a result, it has been widely adopted by major brands such as L'Oréal Paris and Sisley. As a cosmetic ingredient, the popularization of centella asiatica and its efficacy began about five or six years ago, entering an explosive growth phase in recent years and gaining widespread consumer recognition. In 2021, Zhina Technology’s Centella Asiatica Extract received strong approval from a broad customer base, and its market sales potential continues to rise, promising even greater breakthroughs in the future.

Ceramides: Their application scope is expanding. Ceramides, together with free fatty acids and cholesterol, form the intercellular lipid bilayer structure of the skin, which is the most critical component of the skin barrier function. For sensitive skin, supplementing with ceramides helps repair the skin barrier and alleviate sensitivity symptoms. Due to their ability to accelerate barrier repair and provide multiple benefits such as moisturizing and improving sensitivity and dryness, ceramides have become an essential ingredient in many brand product lines.

Disclaimer

This article is compiled and published by Zhina Biotechnology
Link: https://www.zhinakeji.com/p/349.html

Partial content sources:

Literature: Trehalose, Squalane, and Provitamin B5: Three Hydrating Ingredients That Skincare Enthusiasts Should Not Overlook by Guo Li
[1] Leyden James J. Effects of topical tretinoin on non-sun-exposed protected skin of the elderly: Over 26 years later. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2020, 82: 776-777.
[2] Randhawa Manpreeet, Rossetti Dianne, Leyden James J, et al. One-year topical stabilized retinol treatment improves photodamaged skin in a double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial. J Drugs Dermatol. 2015, 14: 271-80.
*2020-2021 China Cosmetic Ingredient Market Review and Outlook* by Gong Shuhui

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