Top 10 Companies Dominating the Italy Cosmetics Market Landscape

The Italy cosmetics market size reached USD 12.80 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.36% between 2024 and 2032, reaching USD 17.16 billion by 2032. As per the analysis by Expert Market Research, the market is expected to be driven by the increasing popularity of sustainable products.

Skincare or beauty care with the use of cosmetic products is considered important for maintaining healthy skin, boosting self-confidence, and improving overall well-being. Italy is witnessing a rise in use of cosmetic products such as face masks and eye makeup products capable of soothing the skin.

According to Cosmetica Italia, 67% of the makeup consumed in Europe is produced by Italian companies, while it reached 55% on a global scale.

In 2023, Italy witnessed significant investments in its cosmetics sector, primarily focusing on research and development, sustainability, training, and digitalisation. In 2023, the cosmetic exports from Italy saw a 10% increase as compared to 2022, reaching a value of EUR 6 billion.

In 2023, skincare products which include face and body accounted for about 35% of consumption, followed by hair products, perfumery, and makeup.

The Italy cosmetics market growth is being driven by the growing demand for organic and environmentally friendly products. Consumers are acknowledging safe beauty products in addition to “organic” and/or “green” products. This is resulted by the increased importance of safe and transparent products, which includes transparency in sourcing activities, manufacturing methods, and packaging.

Italy stands fourth with the largest number pf SMEs in Europe (776 companies), suggesting a high production capacity and prominent demand for cosmetic ingredients. In 2022, Italy imported more than EUR 42 million in essential oils. About 11% of the imports came from developing countries, mainly United Arab Emirates, China, India, Indonesia, and Egypt. The increased imports of essential oils state a higher demand for cosmetics in the country.

Table: Composition of the Italian cosmetics exports by categories

In October 2023, E.l.f. Cosmetics expanded its presence in Italy, in partnership with Douglas, with the physical rollout of 105 stores.

Top 10 Cosmetic Companies in Italy:

Lush Limited

Lush is primarily engaged in providing beauty products such as the fizzing bath bomb, shower jellies and solid shampoo bar. Lush Limited operates in 52 countries with 928 global shops. Through the separate business divisions, the company manufacture and markets their handmade products direct to the customers through own shops and online. Since 2017, the company has been 10% employee-owned.

L’Oréal S.A.

L’Oréal S.A. is a leading company in the beauty industry in the world. The company has the presence of 86,000 employees across 150 countries on five continents. L’Oréal has 36 international brands, divided into four divisions such as Luxe, Consumer Products, Dermatological Beauty, and Professional Products. Some of the beauty brands of the company include Lancôme, Giorgio Armani Beauty, Yves Saint Laurent Beauté, Ralph Lauren, Maybelline New York, Essie, Kérastase, IT Cosmetics, Prada Beauty, Redken, Garnier, L’Oréal Paris, among others.

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc is among the leading manufacturers, marketers and sellers of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The company sells its products in about 150 countries, under the brand names of Estée Lauder, Clinique, Origins, M·A·C, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, La Mer, Aveda, Jo Malone London, TOM FORD, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, and The Ordinary.

Beiersdorf AG

Beiersdorf has been engaged in providing high-quality skin care products, for more than 140 years. The company is known for its renowned brand, Nivea. The other brands of the company include Eucerin, La Prairie, Hansaplast, Aquaphor, Coppertone, Chantecaille, Labello, 8x4 and Hidrofugal. The company has more than 20,000 employees in more than 160 affiliates worldwide. The company’s global research and development network includes two large innovation centers in Shanghai (Mainland China) and the US.

Kao Corporation

Kao Corporation is a renowned consumer products and cosmetics company operating in five business units such as hygiene and living care, health and beauty care, life care, cosmetics and chemicals. The company sells its products in about 140 countries across the globe and has a workforce of about 34,257 employees. The company has 81 brands under its name and is known to possess about 15,000 patents. Kao Corporation boasts trademarks of 22,000.

Christian Dior Couture SA

Christian Dior Couture SA is a public limited retail luxury goods and jewellery company, based in France. The company has a workforce of 12000 employees. Dior offers fragrance and beauty products such as makeup, skincare, fragrance, and Dior spas. The fashion accessories provided by the company include jewellery, timepieces, men’s fashion and women’s fashion among others.

Revlon, Inc.

Revlon Inc is a majority-owned subsidiary of MacAndrews and Forbes Incorporated. Revlon is a renowned beauty and personal care company based in the United States. It is engaged in the manufacture, marketing, distribution and selling of products including colour cosmetics, hair colour and hair care treatments, fragrances, skincare, beauty tools, men’s grooming products, antiperspirant deodorants, and several other beauty products.

Shiseido Company, Limited

Shiseido is engaged in providing cosmetics such as skincare, makeup, and fragrance. The group subsidiaries of Shiseido totals 90. Based in Japan, the company has 30,540 employees. The company’s popular brands include SHISEIDO, NARS, Clé de Peau Beauté, BENEFIQUE, ELIXIR, IPSA, MAQUILLAGE, INTEGRATE, AUPRES, ANESSA and ISSEY MIYAKE.  The company has a workforce of about 36,000 employees and operates in about 120 countries over the globe. Shiseido has 11 production sites and 6 R&D sites.

KIKO SpA

KIKO SpA is a cosmetic company based in Italy, providing 1,200 products in a wide range of shades. The products of the company are designed in Milan, and 99% are produced in Europe as per the highest quality standards. By 2022, the company had conducted more than 20,000 rigorous clinical tests on its products. The products offered by the company are makeup, skincare, accessories, hair, etc.

Collistar SpA

Collistar provides 100% Italian-made cosmetics in a contemporary style. The company provides a wide range of products including make-up, face and body creams, hair treatments, sunscreens and perfumes. The makeup products offered by the company include primer, foundation and BB cremes, concealers, powders, bronzers and blushes, highlighters, and sun makeup. Collistar provides hair care solutions for combination and oily hair, coloured and highlighted hair, etc.