Suppliers target growing adult acne segment


With more than half of women in the United States between the ages of 25 and 58 years battling some form of acne and the average age for acne patients on the rise, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, it is no surprise that sales of acne treatments have experienced an uptick at food, drug and mass. The sales trend is likely to continue as manufacturers continue to develop formulas to battle adult acne.


According to SymphonyIRI Group, sales of acne treatments for the 52 weeks ended June 12 at food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart) have increased 2.7% to more than $388 million. Among the top 10 brands, Neutrogena’s new Rapid Clear experienced the greatest growth, rising nearly 47%.


Given that many acne treatments on the market target teens, manufacturers increasingly are taking into account the special needs of adult skin. One such example is Procter & Gamble’s Olay brand, which introduced in July its new Olay Professional Pro-X Clear for adult acne.


This three-step daily skin care regimen is designed to treat adult acne and minimize the appearance of pores and refine texture. The system ($42) is comprised of a pore clarifying cleanser, skin clearing treatment and complexion renewing lotion. Additional products in the line include an SPF15 moisturizer and intensive refining sulfur mask, priced at $29.99 each.


Also launching in July is La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Serum pore-refining/anti-wrinkle serum. Women often have to make a choice between treating acne blemishes with a product that has no anti-aging benefits or treating the signs of aging with a product that may clog pores. Effaclar Serum pore-refining/anti-wrinkle serum offers a solution to treat both these concerns. It has a suggested retail price of $39.95.

 The article above is part of the DSN Category Review Series. For the complete Skin Care Buy-In Report, including extensive charts, data and more analysis, click here.