UK consumers serious about skincare, centre:mk report shows

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Sep 16, 2021

UK consumers - women and men - are serious about their beauty regimes, Milton Keynes shopping mall centre:mk confirms in a new survey of 2,000 adults.

It found that the average spend is almost £400 a year on skincare and, despite the many sources available for skincare advice, such magazines, social media, and online, recommendations from in-store staff has increased 12.5% and remains one of the strongest sources of information.

Consumers typically invest in three facial products each month, amounting to 36 a year, spending an average of £396 a year on skincare, a £96 rise from a decade ago.

Britons also spend 22 minutes a week watching skincare tutorial videos and 25 minutes a week (almost 22 hours a year) is dedicated to actually using products.

Commissioned ahead of the launch of centre:mk’s September beauty festival, the study also revealed the top items people couldn’t imagine living without are moisturiser, face wash and cleanser. In addition, more than a third also claim they are ‘loyal’ to the skincare brands they use.

Some 32% of Britons also think skincare products are far more innovative today compared to a decade ago. Indeed, adults believe skin products have evolved in terms of offering a greater variety (53%), having more items aimed at men (46%) and more global brands being available (34%). 

The study also revealed that men use three items on their face daily, the same as women, signifying the normalising of skincare for men.

Similarly, the planet and climate change has clearly had an impact with 42% more organic, 38% vegan and 38% sustainable products making an impact in the market. 

Meanwhile 36% agree there are more products available that are backed by science and almost a third said they are glad the science of skincare has evolved over the years. 

Kim Priest, spokesperson at centre:mk, said: “Skincare has certainly evolved over the years and there is so much more choice now. Gone are the days of simply ‘cleanse, tone, moisturise’ - there are products out there now to suit all skin types whether suffering from acne, wrinkles or dull and tired looking skin.

“It’s interesting to see that despite the growth of technology, people today still prefer to get their skincare advice from in-store staff, highlighting the importance of real life consultations and human experience”.