Body care is currently one of the most dynamic categories in beauty.
It is outperforming the wider skincare market, with value growth of 20 per cent across the premium segment, according to Circana’s Europe data from January to June 2024.
In a post-Covid world, the body care category has seen a surge in consumer interest, with self-care made a priority.
"Ever since then, it has been a main focus for consumers," Circana Director of Beauty Europe, Mathilde Lion told Cosmetics Business.
"Consumers are no longer just focusing on the face, they are looking for performance within categories that they were investing less in before, such as hair care and body care."
"They are looking for specific ingredients as they focus on their body skin concerns, whether that’s to address signs of ageing or issues such as pigmentation."
As body care continues on this journey, new trends are emerging, and brands are jumping on the train to meet consumer needs.
Here, we take a look at the top five body care trends to have on your radar, as revealed in the Body Care Trend Report published by Cosmetics Business.
1. High performance body care
Consumer demand is booming for transformative, high performance body care.
"With an increase in body care products that are multifunctional and offer support with body conditions, there is more expectation around results and quality ingredients," said Julia Barcoe-Thompson, co-owner of online beauty retailer Face the Future.
"Customers are looking for miracle creams – home care body products that will achieve the same as in-clinic treatments and help with body concerns such as pigmentation, scarring and body acne."
BD recommends: Clarins Body Fit Active, Elucent Anti Ageing Body Moisturiser, DU'IT Tough Body, Ella Baché Gentle Enzyme Smoothing Body Exfoliant, and The Booty Co Firming Booty Lotion.
2. Hand and nail care revival
It may have been one of beauty’s most overlooked categories, but consumers are spending more time and money on manicures, brands are taking notice.
Awareness of hand skin changes such as crepey skin and pigmentation is growing too, and there is an opportunity for treatments that address the health of the skin and nails.
Now, a series of breakthrough innovations are entering the market as brands recognise the potential that new clinically-driven, result-based products could bring to the space.
BD recommends: Burt’s Bees Botanical Hand Cream with Shea Butter, Arbonne Botaniques Nectarine Hand Lotion, Eau Thermale Avène Cicalfate Hand Repair Cream, Mavala Switzerland Nailactan Nail Cream, Fedua Jelly Golden Hand Serum, and MP Cosmetics Nail Polish range.
3. Fragranced body care
Whether it comes down to the #PerfumeTok effect or the meteoric rise of scented body care giant, Sol de Janeiro in the sector, fragrance has come back to body care with a bang.
The ‘skinification’ of body care has moved the segment on, and brands that answer this by building premium skin care benefits into their perfumed body care lines could appeal more to consumers.
BD recommends: Glasshouse Fragrances Kyoto in Bloom Body Lotion, Elizabeth Arden White Tea Pure Indulgence Body Cream, and Weleda Regenerating Pomegranate Body Lotion.
4. The next target of acquisitions
Body care has stepped up to become the most dynamic segment in premium skin care, but it’s not just consumers that are splurging.
This high-growth segment is also increasingly attracting investment and acquisition interest, which is poised to continue into 2025.
L Catterton’s majority stake acquisition of premium bath and body care company, Stenders in September signals the interest sweeping the sector, a move that followed e.l.f. Beauty’s US$355m acquisition of high performance skin and body care brand, Naturium last year, as noted in the report.
5. Body shimmer oils
Named one of 2024’s biggest body and wellness trends by online retailer, Beauty Pie, body shimmer oils have been sliding into the bestseller rankings for more and more beauty brands this year.
Having experienced a 158 per cent spike in Google searches during a six month period to November 2023, growing consumer interest in shimmer oils has forced brands to take a closer look at the category.
Traditionally used and promoted as a seasonal summer product that enhances the appearance of a golden tan, consumers are no longer shelving shimmer oils when the warm weather subsides, and brands have spotted the potential that this offers.
BD recommends: Sunday Riley Fairy Godmother Shimmering Body Oil Gel, Palmers® Cocoa Butter Formula Shimmer Radiance Body Oil, and BIODERMA Atoderm 2-in-1 Body Oil.
Image credit: Glossier/intothegloss.com
