By Product (Green, Silicone Fluids, Mineral Oils, & Others), and By Region – Market Forecast, 2025–2034
The global emollients in personal care market size was valued at USD 4.62 billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2025 to 2034. Key factors driving demand for emollients in personal care include rising demand for anti-aging and hydration-focused formulations coupled with shift toward sustainable and bio-based ingredients.
The emollients in personal care market includes specialized ingredients formulated to provide hydration, softness, and smoothness to the skin and hair with high levels of efficacy and safety. Widely applied in skincare, haircare, cosmetics, sun care, and baby care products, these ingredients enhance moisture retention, improve texture, and deliver long-lasting comfort for diverse consumer needs. Innovations in bio-based emollients, multifunctional formulations, and natural oil blends are enhancing product performance, sustainability, and compatibility with sensitive skin, enabling more effective, eco-friendly, and adaptable personal care solutions.
Rising consumer demand for multifunctional skincare and haircare products is boosting the emollients in personal care market. Brands emphasize hydration, barrier protection, and improved sensorial experience in product formulations. The shifting consumer preferences and strict environmental regulations are boosting the adoption of natural, bio-based, and sustainable emollients.
The rising adoption of premium personal care products in emerging markets, combined with increasing focus on dermatologically safe, eco-friendly, and sustainable formulations, is accelerating the market growth. Manufacturers are placing greater emphasis on developing eco-certified and multifunctional emollients that enhances moisture retention ensuring compatibility with sensitive skin, catering to a wide range of consumer needs. These advancements are making emollients more sustainable, effective, and versatile, thereby expanding its application across skincare, haircare, sun protection, and cosmetic formulations.
Rising Demand for Anti-Aging and Hydration-Focused Formulations: The growing consumer focus on skin health, hydration, and anti-aging benefits is significantly fueling the demand for advanced emollients in personal care. Skincare products enriched with emollients are growing for its ability to enhance moisture retention, improve skin texture, and deliver smoother sensory profiles. In 2023, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) reported that the European cosmetics market reached a value of approximately USD 104.6 billion at Retail Sales Price (RSP). This positions Europe, alongside the US., as one of the world’s largest cosmetics markets. This trend highlights the expanding opportunities for innovative emollient formulations in moisturizers, serums, and sun care products are boosting the adoption across next-generation personal care solutions.
Shift Toward Sustainable and Bio-Based Ingredients: Increasing regulatory pressures and consumer preference for eco-friendly beauty products are accelerating the use of natural, bio-based, and biodegradable emollients. Leading personal care brands are actively reformulating products to replace petrochemical-based ingredients with renewable alternatives that meet with sustainability goals. For instance, in 2024, the Voice of the Consumer Sustainability Survey revealed that 45% of global consumers actively seek to make a positive environmental impact through their daily choices and actions, highlighting a growing shift toward sustainable living. This transition is pushing manufacturers to develop high-performance, eco-certified emollients that meet rising demand for clean beauty while ensuring efficacy in skin and haircare applications.
By Product
Based on product, the emollients in personal care market are segmented into green, silicone fluids, mineral oils, and others. Silicone fluids accounted for the largest share in 2024, owing to its extensive use in skincare and haircare formulations to provide smooth texture, spreadability, and long-lasting moisturization. The stability, non-greasy finish, and ability to enhance product sensory appeal are accelerating its adoption across premium cosmetics, sunscreens, and leave-on applications.
Green emollients are projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, driven by rising demand for sustainable and bio-based alternatives to petrochemical-derived ingredients. Plant-derived oils, esters, and butters are gaining rapid acceptance among consumers and brands focused on clean beauty, eco-certification, and natural formulations. This segment is further propelled by increasing regulatory push for environmentally safe ingredients, alongside growing consumer preference for transparent and ethical product sourcing.
The Asia Pacific emollients in personal care market held the largest share in 2024, driven by the rising influence of K-beauty products and J-beauty trends that emphasize lightweight, multifunctional formulations. Increasing exposure to urban pollution and climate-related skin concerns is further fueling demand for protective skincare products enriched with advanced emollients. The growing adoption of premium cosmetics and expanding product portfolios by regional and international brands are accelerating the market growth.
India Emollients in Personal Care Market Overview
India is emerging as a key growth hub in the Asia Pacific market, due to its rapidly expanding middle-class population with rising disposable incomes that are fueling demand for skincare and cosmetic products. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, the size of India’s middle class is projected to nearly double to 61% of the total population by 2047, growing from 432 million individuals in 2020–21 to 715 million (47% of the population) in 2030–31 and reaching 1.02 billion in 2047. This demographic expansion is accelerating consumer spending on premium skincare and personal care products, boosting the adoption of high-quality emollients across formulations.
North America Emollients in Personal Care Market Assessment
North America is projected to grow at a fast pace from 2025-2034, driven by strong consumer demand for clean-label, natural, and plant-derived emollients that meet with sustainability-focused purchasing behavior and growing awareness of safe ingredients. The rising popularity of premium skincare ranges, dermatologist-recommended cosmetic brands, and high-performance formulations is further accelerating the adoption of advanced emollient solutions across a wide spectrum of personal care applications.
U.S. Emollients in Personal Care Market Overview
The U.S. dominated the North America emollients in personal care market, propelled by the presence of leading cosmetic manufacturers and advanced R&D facilities that are driving continuous product innovation. Rising consumer demand for premium, dermatologist-recommended, and multifunctional skincare products is fueling the adoption of high-quality natural and synthetic emollients across moisturizers, anti-aging formulations, and sun care products. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin conditions affect nearly one in four Americans annually, which is increasing the preference for products with clinically validated, skin-friendly emollients. Strong investments by global and domestic brands in developing clean-label, bio-based, and high-performance emollient formulations, coupled with robust e-commerce and retail distribution networks, are further accelerating the market growth in the country.
Europe Emollients in Personal Care Market Outlook
Europe held a significant share of the global market in 2024, fueled by the implementation of strict regulatory frameworks such as REACH and the EU Cosmetics Regulation that encourage safe, bio-based, and sustainable ingredient usage. Rising consumer preference for organic, vegan, and eco-certified cosmetics is accelerating the adoption of natural emollients across skincare, haircare, and personal hygiene formulations. Major economies including the UK, Germany, and France are witnessing increasing investments in sustainable cosmetic innovations, further strengthening regional demand.
The global emollients in personal care market are highly competitive, with leading players such as Ashland Global Holdings Inc., BASF SE, and Clariant AG focusing on expanding their product portfolios and delivering high-performance solutions for skincare, haircare, and cosmetic applications. Ashland Global Holdings Inc. emphasizes the development of bio-based and multifunctional emollients to meet the rising demand for sustainable and clean-label formulations, while BASF SE continues to invest in innovative ingredients that enhance texture, hydration, and sensory appeal across personal care products. Clariant AG is strengthening its presence by offering natural and eco-friendly emollient solutions tailored to premium beauty and wellness brands.
The market is witnessing strong demand for advanced emollients as consumers increasingly prefer dermatologically safe, eco-conscious, and multifunctional products that combine hydration, anti-aging, and UV protection benefits. Vendors are investing in R&D to develop silicone alternatives, plant-derived emollients, and hybrid formulations that meet with the shift toward sustainability and regulatory compliance. Strategic collaborations with cosmetic manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and research institutes are further expanding innovation pipelines, while rising digital engagement and e-commerce-driven distribution are enhancing brand visibility.
Prominent companies operating in the emollients in personal care market include Ashland Global Holdings Inc., BASF SE, Clariant AG, Covestro AG, Croda International Plc, Eastman Chemical Company, Evonik Industries AG, Hallstar Innovations Corp., Kao Corporation, Lonza Group AG, Lubrizol Corporation, Momentive Performance Materials Inc., Stepan Company, Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Inc., and Wacker Chemie AG.
In March 2025, BASF SE launched a next-generation renewable lipid-based functional emollient, engineered to enhance sustainability and deliver improved sensory benefits in personal care formulations. This development strengthens BASF’s commitment to eco-friendly ingredient innovation and supports the growing demand for high-performance, bio-based cosmetic solutions.
By Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020–2034)
By Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020–2034)
Report Attributes |
Details |
Market Size in 2024 |
USD 4.62 Billion |
Market Size in 2025 |
USD 4.78 Billion |
Revenue Forecast by 2034 |
USD 6.55 Billion |
CAGR |
3.6% from 2025 to 2034 |
Base Year |
2024 |
Historical Data |
2020–2023 |
Forecast Period |
2025–2034 |
Quantitative Units |
Revenue in USD Billion and CAGR from 2025 to 2034 |
Report Coverage |
Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Industry Trends |
Segments Covered |
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Regional Scope |
|
Competitive Landscape |
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Report Format |
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Customization |
Report customization as per your requirements with respect to countries, regions, and segmentation. |
The global market size was valued at USD 4.62 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 6.55 billion by 2034.
The global market is projected to register a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period.
Asia Pacific dominated the market in 2024.
A few of the key players in the market are Ashland Global Holdings Inc., BASF SE, Clariant AG, Covestro AG, Croda International Plc, Eastman Chemical Company, Evonik Industries AG, Hallstar Innovations Corp., Kao Corporation, Lonza Group AG, Lubrizol Corporation, Momentive Performance Materials Inc., Stepan Company, Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Inc., and Wacker Chemie AG
The silicone fluids segment dominated the market revenue share in 2024, owing to its extensive use in skincare and haircare formulations to provide smooth texture, spreadability, and long-lasting moisturization.
The green emollients segment is projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, driven by rising demand for sustainable and bio-based alternatives to petrochemical-derived ingredients.