NPD Group: Consumers embracing broader range of specialized skin care

NEW YORK — While prestige anti-aging products remain popular, beauty mavens are adopting a broader range of such specialized offerings as skin care masks, which experienced growth of 53% for the 12 months ended November 2014, according to The NPD Group.



"While age-defying products continue to be important to facial skin care users, consumers today are also adopting a broader range of multipurpose and specialized skin care offerings, from alphabet creams to acne treatment and masks,” said Karen Grant, global beauty industry analyst, The NPD Group. “Such products are appealing to those seeking instant gratification as well as those looking to complement their existing regimen. These segments of the facial skin care industry are succeeding by being innovative and adaptable to various skincare routines.”



According to The NPD Group Key, facial skin care segments — large and small — experienced strong growth in the 12 months ended November 2014 (December 2013 to November 2014), despite the fact that the overall market experienced a nearly 1% decline in dollar sales.



For the 12-month period, sales of prestige skin care masks rose 53% to $77.4 million. Sales of prestige lip treatments rose 12% to $43.9 million, while sales of acne treatments rose 30% to $21.7 million. Prestige anti-aging products increased 2% to $447.1 million, while all other face treatments climbed 13% to $149.3 million.