Consumer trend analysts Spate has launched its first ever French Skincare Trends Report that offers a comparative analysis of French and US consumers, and their skincare searches.
The New York City outfit’s report finds scientific and plant-derived ingredients are driving the most significant positive change in ingredient search volume in France.
The top searches include scientific actives like niacinamide (+2.4K average monthly searches) and salicylic acid (+856 avg monthly searches).
Meanwhile, Spate noted a rising interest in plant-based alternatives is also emerging.
For example, carrot oil is experiencing growth alongside skincare products (+7.7% year on year) as consumers in France seek it to help treat skin discolouration.
The top facial skincare products driving search volume growth in France are the trusted classics such as face serums, face toners, and cleansing balms.
For example, serums are up +3.4K in average monthly searches, and the top brands in the face serum category are French: La Roche-Posay, Caudalie, and Guerlain.
In addition to classic products like serums, patches are a top trend in France as consumers search for under-eye patches to target dark circles and pimple patches to tackle pesky blemishes.
In addition, searches for ‘spironolactone for acne’ indicate that acne is a growing concern.
Spate said this reveals a significant opportunity for brands to deliver blemish-fighting products in top formats such as face toners, cleansing balms, and face mists to the French market.
Clarins is the brand driving the most significant search volume change in the French market, with a +7.4K increase in average monthly searches.
That is followed by other tried-and-tested (and also mostly French) brands, including Caudalie (+7.2K) and La Roche Posay (+3.7K), Cerave (+3.5K), and SVR (+3.2K).
Contrary to the US, where average monthly searches are declining, Clarins enjoys significant growth in France, increasing +33.3% year on year.
The top Clarins product is the Double Serum, further illustrating the French consumer’s preference for the serum format.
In a related development, Spate has also launched the Color Complexion Trends Report, which explores the rise of the contour, blush, bronzer, and highlighter categories.
