Pampered, peeled and toned skin is the number one priority for
image-conscious consumers around the world and they are going to adopt
increasingly extreme measures to get it, a survey showed on Friday.
A survey by research group AC Nielsen across 46 countries found that
one in three people spend most of their beauty budget on skincare, with
Asian and U.S. consumers leading the trend.
Skin whitening is the most sought after treatment in Asia, the survey
showed, with one in 10 Asian consumers buying bleaching products and 50 percent saying
they would lighten their skin if money was no object.
The survey also predicts a massive rise in the use of facial treatments
such as masks, peels, serums
and oils.
"Consumers tend to take a vested interest in their skincare regime in
their 30s and 40s and at this life stage have more disposable income to
invest in beauty extras," Patrick Dodd, president of AC Nielsen Europe
said.
L'Oreal, one of the world's largest cosmetics group, said its customers
spent 3.85 million euros ($5.24 million) on skincare products in 2006, up
nearly 12 percent on the previous year.
"The beauty industry shows no sign of slowing down as beauty and
personal care products have become 'must have' items in every household,"
Dodd said.
The survey found that 78 percent of people feel under increasing
pressure to look good, and the desire to be beautiful is not just
restricted to women.
Nearly 80 percent of people welcome the arrival of the "metrosexual"
male, a term used to describe men who use a myriad of beauty products to
take care of their appearance, with American men the most enthusiastic
about the trend.
The United States have just become the new home of British footballer
David Beckham, the face of Procter & Gamble's Gillette skincare brand,
who signed a $250 million soccer transfer deal earlier this year with U.S.
team LA Galaxy.
Beckham, famed for his fashionable hairstyles, diamond stud earrings
and for wearing a sarong on the beach, is a metrosexual style icon par
excellence.
The survey also found that consumers were not just obsessed with
flawless skin -- haircare
products are among the most sought after treatments globally, especially
in Latin America and Asia.
L'Oreal customers spent 3.63 million euros on haircare products in
2006.
