Market evolution: Skin care preparations (CN 330499) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyses the evolution of EU external trade in skin care preparations classified under Combined Nomenclature code 330499, covering the period 2015–2025. The product scope includes beauty and make-up preparations, skin care products, and sunscreen or suntan preparations, but excludes medicaments, lip and eye make-up, manicure/pedicure preparations, and cosmetic powders (Overview).

Over this period, the EU has consolidated its position as a major global supplier of skin care products, with exports nearly doubling in value. At the same time, the bloc's trade relationships have undergone significant geographic shifts, while unit prices have risen markedly. The analysis below examines these dynamics across three dimensions.

1. A Surging Trade Surplus Fuelled by Export-Led Growth

The most striking feature of the 2015–2025 period is the EU's expanding trade surplus in skin care preparations. Exports grew far more rapidly than imports, reinforcing the bloc's role as a dominant net exporter.

1.1. Export value nearly doubled while volumes grew more moderately

EU exports of CN 330499 rose from €6.35 billion in 2015 to €12.06 billion in 2025, an increase of +89.8% (trade overview). Import values grew at a comparable rate in proportional terms (+82.9%), but from a much smaller base — rising from €2.03 billion to €3.71 billion. The resulting trade surplus widened from €4.33 billion to €8.35 billion (+93.1%).

Crucially, export volumes increased by only 32.8% (from 415,112 to 551,362 tonnes), meaning that the bulk of the value growth was driven by rising unit prices rather than sheer quantity.

1.2. Unit prices increased significantly on both sides of the ledger

Export prices rose by 42.9% over the period, while import prices grew by 30.7%. This price differential partly reflects the EU's specialisation in higher-value, branded skin care products — particularly from France, which alone accounted for nearly half of all EU exports. The faster rise in export prices suggests that the EU has been successful in moving up the value chain or benefiting from strong global demand for premium European skincare.

1.3. Domestic production tracked export growth closely

According to PRODCOM production data, EU production value for this product category grew from €6.40 billion to €12.18 billion (+90.2%), closely mirroring export growth. This alignment indicates that a large and increasing share of European output is destined for external markets, consistent with the export propensity rising from 39.0% to 97.4% over the period (export propensity).

2. Geographic Diversification: Shifting Partners and Rising Asian Demand

The second major dynamic is a pronounced reorientation of trade flows, both in imports and exports, away from traditional European partners towards fast-growing Asian and Middle Eastern markets.

2.1. Imports from South Korea surged by over 3,000%

The most dramatic shift in EU import sourcing was the explosive growth of South Korean imports, which rose from just €28 million in 2015 to €940 million in 2025 — an increase of +3,314.7% (top partners). This single shift made South Korea the EU's largest import source by value in 2025, overtaking the United Kingdom, the United States, and Switzerland.

This trend likely reflects the global success of Korean beauty ("K-beauty") products, which have gained significant market share in European consumer markets over the last decade.

2.2. UK import share declined sharply, likely reflecting Brexit effects

Imports from the United Kingdom fell by 15.7% from €662 million to €558 million, despite overall EU import growth of 82.9%. The UK's relative decline — combined with the highest volatility coefficient among EU import partners at 0.40 (volatility) — is consistent with trade friction introduced by Brexit. A notable price shock was detected in UK imports in 2021, with an abnormality score of 14.8 and a price shift of +53.7% (supply shocks), coinciding with the first full year of post-Brexit trade arrangements.

2.3. China became the EU's top export destination

On the export side, the most significant development was the surge in EU exports to China, which grew from €471 million to €1,754 million (+272.3%), making China the EU's largest single export market by 2025, ahead of the United States (€1,314 million) and the United Kingdom (€1,265 million) (top partners). This reflects China's growing middle class, rising demand for premium skincare, and the strong reputation of European beauty brands.

2.4. Within the EU, France remained the dominant exporter, but Spain and Poland grew fastest

France was by far the largest EU exporter, growing from €3.42 billion to €5.64 billion (+65.0%), and maintaining the highest revealed comparative advantage (RCA of 3.36) among all Member States (specialisation). However, several other Member States grew at far faster rates:

Spain and Poland, in particular, have emerged as significant second-tier exporters, with Poland also displaying a high RCA (1.65) and a rapidly growing import footprint (from €52 million to €353 million, +579.1%), suggesting the country is becoming both a major production and re-export hub.

3. Greater Trade Integration Amid Declining Import Concentration

The third key dynamic is the increasing openness of the EU's skin care trade and a meaningful diversification of import sourcing.

3.1. Trade intensity and export propensity both roughly doubled

The EU's trade intensity (total trade as a share of production) rose from 46.9% to 97.9%, while export propensity (exports as a share of production) increased from 39.0% to 97.4%. These figures indicate that the EU skin care industry has become deeply integrated into global markets, with nearly all production now traded internationally. The net import reliance stood at −229.0% in 2025, confirming that the EU is a strong net exporter whose export volume exceeds domestic production (implying re-export or intra-EU-to-external supply chain flows).

3.2. Import sourcing became significantly less concentrated

The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for EU imports by value fell from 2,248 to 1,594 (concentration), a decline of 29.1%. This move from a moderately concentrated market towards a more diversified one is driven by the rapid growth of new suppliers — notably South Korea, China, and Canada — which reduced the relative share of traditional European sources such as the UK and Switzerland.

Export concentration, by contrast, remained broadly stable (HHI of 634 to 620), reflecting the continued dominance of France as the EU's primary exporter.

3.3. Russia emerged as a high-volatility export destination

Among EU export partners, the Russian Federation displayed the highest coefficient of variation (0.32) on the export side, alongside a 10.2% decline in value over the period. This pattern, combined with the very high volatility of EU imports from Russia (CV of 0.93), reflects geopolitical instability and sanctions-related disruptions. EU exports to Russia peaked at €525 million before declining to €370 million in 2025, likely reflecting the impact of EU sanctions and corporate withdrawals following 2022.

Conclusion

Over the 2015–2025 period, EU trade in skin care preparations (CN 330499) has been characterised by three reinforcing trends: robust export-led growth that nearly doubled the trade surplus, a dramatic geographic reorientation towards Asian markets — most notably South Korea on the import side and China on the export side — and a deepening integration of the EU skin care industry into global value chains. Rising unit prices suggest that European producers have benefited from strong demand for premium products, while declining import concentration signals a more diversified and competitive sourcing landscape. The data also captures the trade-policy shock of Brexit in 2021 and the progressive impact of sanctions on Russia, both of which left visible marks on bilateral flows. Overall, the EU has strengthened its position as the world's leading exporter of high-value skin care preparations.