UK Prestige Beauty Market Outpaces Major European Rivals in Record Growth

The UK prestige beauty market is experiencing remarkable growth, outperforming France, Germany, Spain, and Italy in value sales, according to new data from Circana.

Figures from the British Beauty Council’s Value of Beauty report reveal that the UK beauty industry is a true growth powerhouse, contributing £30.4 billion to GDP. Over the past year, the sector has grown four times faster than the wider UK economy, fuelled by consumer spending of £32.4 billion.

UK Prestige Beauty: A Market on the Rise

While average prices have slightly declined, consumer demand has surged — driving a 7.3% increase in market value. The UK now ranks as the second fastest-growing prestige beauty market in Europe, just behind Spain, and well ahead of other leading EU nations. France, in contrast, recorded the most challenging performance among the EU5.

Jacqui Burchell, CCO of the British Beauty Council, commented:

“This is another strong showing for the UK beauty market, proving that the British consumer is still spending on beauty despite tough economic headwinds. This is undoubtedly due to the small luxury that comes with investing in a beauty buy – it’s clear the age-old ‘lipstick effect’ is here to stay.”

Why France and Spain Tell Different Stories

Premium Beauty News reports that French prestige beauty is facing headwinds due to consumer buying habits. Many shoppers opt for more affordable products in pharmacies — a channel that saw a 10% increase in value and 7% in volume in 2024, making it the country’s most successful beauty retail segment.

Spain, on the other hand, continues to post impressive numbers. Data from STANPA shows that Spanish consumers spend an average of €221.60 per person on beauty annually. Men use an average of 5.7 cosmetic products daily, while women average 8.5 — both higher than the UK’s average of 6 products per day.

The UK Beauty Industry’s Global Opportunity

With its prestige beauty market booming, the UK is cementing its position as a global beauty leader. Its growth signals strong opportunities for brands, retailers, and beauty professionals looking to invest in the UK market — and highlights the resilience of beauty spending even during economic uncertainty.

Source: British Beauty Council