Living with skin sensitivities is an everyday reality among most Asian consumers and brands have an opportunity to help ease the burden. In fact, research from Mintel reveals that 44% of female facial skin care users in China say that having sensitive skin causes them to change or upgrade the skin care products that they use.
Meanwhile, a third (34%) of Chinese consumers who use sheet masks will pay more for a sheet mask that’s suitable for sensitive skin.
Over in Southeast Asia, as many as 42% of urban Indonesians purchase products for acne and pimples (respectively), while two in five (39%) urban Thais purchase products to treat acne.
And it is not just female beauty consumers who are seeking solutions for their skin sensitivities. According to Mintel research, seven in 10 (69%) urban Thai male consumers and 63% of urban Indonesian males are spending more on specific treatment products (eg pigment cream, acne patch).
Sharon Kwek, Senior Innovation & Insights Analyst, Mintel Beauty & Personal Care, said:
“It is imperative that beauty and personal care players in Asia understand the nature of Asian skin and that it is more prone to sensitivity due to a thinner stratum corneum. In this light, Asian consumers are on the lookout for effective solutions that help relieve or resolve issues caused by skin sensitivity, resulting in a shift in consumer behaviour and consumption habits. The time is now for companies, brands, manufacturers and retailers to be a pillar of support and build trust with consumers living with skin sensitivities.”
With more and more consumers demanding beauty solutions that help with sensitive skin, Mintel research indicates that they need guidance when choosing the appropriate skin care options. As many as three in four (73%) Chinese beauty and personal care shoppers say that they prefer a beauty advisor who can provide appropriate suggestions on skin issues.
“While Asians may be aware of their skin sensitivities and have a fair amount of understanding of the type of products they need in their regime, it is important that companies, brands, manufacturers and retailers support consumers in choosing the skincare that will work best for them—and this encompasses all consumer touchpoints, be it through an official brand website, advertising, in-store shopping experience or social channels. Essentially, consumers are in need of expert advice, something that is highlighted in Mintel Trend ‘Return to the Experts’ which uncovers how expert human advice is back in fashion,” Sharon continued.
