Facial skincare sales soar due to “spa-ing at home” trend

The UK’s prestige facial skincare category grew 7% in the first eight months of 2017, reaching sales of £282 million, discovered global information company The NPD Group.

With consumers taking more time out to look after themselves, face mask sales rocketed by 43%, with clay/mud (up 121%) and sheet masks (34%) the most popular. As a result, the prestige face mask market is now valued at a healthy £10m.

Facial oil sales also grew (by 13%), as did toners (10%), moisturisers (7%) and cleansers (6%), as more customers embraced spa-ing at home.

“The popularity of skincare products to create an at-home spa ritual has had a big impact on the prestige beauty market. We’ve witnessed the emergence of face masks as a niche skincare segment,” said Helen Duxbury, senior account manager for NPD UK Beauty.

“This not only boosts the retail offering for brands, it engages consumers on a deeper level with the brand and its story.”

in brief

// Cornwall’s Fistral Beach Spa has introduced sound healing therapy. A sound therapist creates vibrations and frequencies using various instruments to slow down the client’s brainwaves and rebalance energy centres, resulting in deep relaxation and less tension in the body.

// Applying fake tan to their back is the number one beauty task most British women struggle with, according to research by Falselashes.co.uk. The next most-complicated rituals were painting the nails on their dominant hand and applying false lashes.

// Hotel group Macdonald Hotel & Resorts has signed a three-year partnership with Elemis. As well as collaborating with the brand on developing the signature Ultimate Wellness Face and Body Treatment, therapists will also get extensive business and product training.

// Advanced Nutrition Programme’s Skincare Ultimate supplements have been proven to reduce trans-epidermal water loss by 26% in participants using cosmeceutical skincare. An eight-week pilot study was carried out to see whether additional skin quality improvements could be achieved through supplements.

// Hair and beauty supplier Salon Services has opened a trade-only store in Oldham, which offers a tailored shopping experience for professionals, including a click-and-collect service.