Sales were down in prestige face creams, cleansers and exfoliators, contributing to the wider total decline for the full-year of 2020, but sales of anti-acne serums were up (Getty Images) UK beauty consumers pared down skin care routines last year, adopting minimalist, back-to-basics approaches that led to a decline in overall prestige product sales, according to the NPD Group.
In 2020, the UK’s prestige skin care category was valued at €346.4m (£295m) but sales declined 23% amidst brick and mortar store closures and shifting consumer sentiment around at-home beauty routines.
Previous data compiled by the NPD Group had suggested signs of recovery across the entire prestige beauty market in the UK, which covered skin care, body care, makeup, fragrance and men’s grooming, but this spotlight on skin care painted a different picture.