Organic and natural cosmetic products are becoming increasingly popular among French women.

Women all across the world did not wait for the pandemic to begin using organic or natural cosmetics in their beauty routines, but the health crisis has clearly hastened this change. According to a new survey, practically all French women aged 18 to 50 have tried this product category, whether to safeguard their health or the environment. The vast majority of purchases are done in mass-market stores.

Organic and natural cosmetics are becoming increasingly popular among French women, who find them reassuring. The Slow Cosmétique Label, in collaboration with market research firm Harris Interactive [1], assesses the situation, with the end result demonstrating the popularity of natural formulations among female customers aged 18 to 50.

As a result, nearly nine out of ten French women (92%) buy natural or organic cosmetics at least once a year, and nearly six out of ten buy them every three months.

The major reason for purchasing is to improve one’s health.

The survey also reveals that, at least in the beginning, environmental concerns are not what drives French women to purchase organic or natural cosmetics. Indeed, over half of respondents (47%) think their own health is the most important reason for purchasing these cosmetics; environmental protection follows in second, although only 17 percent of women mention it.

Furthermore, while the pandemic has improved sales and interest in locally created items in local retail, it appears that this is not the case (yet) in the cosmetics industry. Local production and/or manufactured in France labels are just a source of inspiration for 8% of respondents when purchasing cosmetic items. This might be explained by the French industry’s dominant position in the industry. As a result, French-made product brands are extensively available on shelves, which is a significant departure from many other market areas.

Cosmétique lente?

The Slow Cosmetique seal, in addition to being organic and natural, appears to pique the curiosity of French ladies. The Slow Cosmétique Association, based in France, awards the seal to brands that promote responsible natural skincare, with formulas that are free of controversial ingredients in terms of health or environmental impact, as well as marketing that is equally healthy, without greenwashing or outlandish promises. Eight out of ten French women think a seal like this is fascinating, and 92% think it will help the cosmetics business go forward in the correct manner. It boosts the product’s confidence for approximately nine out of 10 women (88%). The Slow Cosmétique seal has been given to 313 brands thus far.

Cosmetics, skincare, and fragrances come in a variety of colors, textures, and scents.

In terms of exports, the make-up, skincare, and perfume sectors are the most active. They account for 86.2 percent of total French cosmetics export sales.

Perfumery, which accounts for 30.6 percent of French cosmetic exports, saw the greatest increase in 2021: +35.4 percent over the previous year.

Make-up and skincare contribute for €9 billion in exports, or 55.6 percent of total exports. Skincare items are the most popular (€7.5 billion), followed by lipsticks and eye make-up.

These data, according to the French trade group for cosmetic producers (FEBEA), reinforce France’s position as the world leader in cosmetics, a country whose know-how is recognized worldwide.

“The cosmetics business is demonstrating its amazing capacity to recover from the health crisis,” says FEBEA Delegate-General Emmanuel Guichard. “It took advantage of the market’s recovery, but it also innovated to satisfy new customer demands. Companies of all sizes contribute to these strong export results, including huge corporations as well as a slew of tiny businesses that, owing to their energy, are also supporters of the Made in France logo. Demand for more natural and ecologically friendly products has surged since the crisis began. The industry can do so well over the world because it satisfies these expectations and spends extensively in R&D.”

The cosmetics business employs around 160,000 people in France, according to the FEBEA.