China’s cosmeceuticals market has yet to reach its full impact and has had a low retail uptake compared to other global regions.

Mintel research analyst Alice Li says most Chinese consumers don’t bother to use specialised products or take medicines to treat their skin conditions, which means cosmeceuticals need to broaden their consumer base and encourage more frequent product use by positioning them as a holistic approach to maintaining healthy skin.

While China’s cosmeceuticals market is diversified and fragmented, new research from Mintel indicates that as many as 69 per cent consumers agree that using cosmeceuticals daily can prevent skin sensitivity.

In comparison, 44 per cent say they look to cosmeceuticals only for certain skin conditions.
Meanwhile, 74 per cent of urban Chinese consumers agree it is essential for cosmeceuticals to contain effective ingredients, while 60 per cent believe cosmeceuticals formulated with fewer ingredients are safer.

“Busier and more stressful lifestyles, as well as worsening environmental conditions, have created more concern around skin conditions among consumers who are looking for relative treatments as a result.” Mintel associate beauty director Jessica Jin told visitors today at In-Cosmetics Korea exhibition.

Consumer understanding of ingredients is at an all-time high, and Jin says men are also keen to pursue ingredient information. In the past six months, 56 per cent of men bought facial masks with collagen as an ingredient compared to 58 per cent of women who did the same.