The Middle East cosmetics market is rapidly rising to growth today and if you are interested in expanding your skincare line this is your chance. The Middle East region’s beauty and skincare is further projected to grow to $28.7bn in 2025 and continue the upsurge every year. This new trend has tremendous potential for skincare brands that are targeting consumers in a young, modern, and, more importantly, investing market.
However, it is not enough to produce good products to succeed in the Middle East. To be able to grow, it is important to know the market and customers of the region with regard to skincare. Local consumers have the following specific needs that must be met for any brand to succeed in the local market. Whether for hydration, anti-aging, gm, halal cosmetics, or current trends, the ingredients are key. In this post, we will talk about Middle Eastern skincare, its ingredients, customization, and how OEM skincare can ensure your brand’s success.
Market Potential of Middle East Cosmetics
In fact, the source reveals that the Middle Eastern market for beauty and skincare products has skyrocketed with further estimated to reach $ 28.7 billion by 2025. Regulatory capital reinvestment is founded on great consumer spending and the buying force in countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The target consumers are those in the high-income group, and luxury skincare is seen to be popular, with many international brands already active in these locations. However, there is still a fair market share for local and OEM brands that may address the needs of this region.
Consumer Trends
To better understand what makes the Middle Eastern world’s skincare market stand out, perhaps it is worthwhile to understand some statistics and facts. There are two key factors that define the further evolution of skin care in the region:
- Market Need for Halal Skincare: Consumers in the Middle East regions prefer to use products that are Halal skincare. This means that alcoholic content from the products must be eliminated and products with any traces of animal derivatives particularly pork must not be used. This is particularly evident in the increase in the consumption of halal-certified skincare.
- Natural Skincare preference: This stems from the fact that anticipated consumers are very selective about what they put onto their skin, and their skins are yearning for natural, organic skin. These are the consumers who are becoming more inclined towards organic products and are avoiding products that contain chemicals or synthetics. This trend is of great importance for brands that aim to operate in the Middle East market.
These trends show the increasing importance of the domestic market needs for their required products to have appropriate skin conditions as well as cultural considerations. The total spent on halal and natural skincare is expected to increase significantly in the future, so brands that offer these services should find decent growth.
Purchasing Power and Luxury Skincare
A survey reveals that consumers in Middle Eastern countries are very conscious about their skincare products and are willing to spend a handsome amount of money to buy them. The Middle East has a good demand for the Estée Lauder type brands, so it is considered a developed competition for the increased value skincare brands, inclusive of Dior. For new brand extension opportunities, to capture this luxury end of the skincare market, you need to adopt a strategy of offering high-quality and customized products.
Understanding Skin Characteristics & Needs in the Middle East
In addressing the skincare needs in the Middle Eastern region, it is essentials to take into consideration some factors such as; It is important to have knowledge in these particular skin concerns in order to create a niche market product that will sell in this global market.
Dry Climate and Special Skin Care Needs
The Middle Eastern climate is characterized by high temperatures and minimal humidity, thus affecting skin health. Heat, direct sunlight, and low levels of humidity increase chances of dehydration, skin tanning or burning, and discolored skin. These problems are something that consumers in the region encounter on a daily basis, hence the need to incorporate solutions for them in skincare products.
- Hydration: There are products that boost hydration and possess the capacity to retain moisture on the skin, which is very important. Dry skin condition also leads to other problems, such as skin aging, hence the importance of using dehydrated skin. This clearly implies that skin hydration should be a top priority for any skincare company looking to compete in the Middle East market.
- Anti Aging: Due to burning sun, skin loses its elasticity and starts aging early, causing wrinkles and spots. Cosmetics intended to prevent the aging process and restore skin are popular among buyers.
- Brightening: Sun exposure makes the skin become darker and produces patches that vary in color. Skin care products that will be in high demand in the region include brightening products and skin tone correction products.
- Pollution and Sensitive Skin: Middle Eastern climate and environment also have dust, pollution, and high UV intensity, which harm skin and clog pores. Moisturizers and anti-pollution products that restore the skin’s membrane should be considered essential.
This skin concern classification will help you determine the skincare solutions for the region. Your collection must include hydration-focused products, anti-aging, and brightening products.
Ingredient Requirements & Preferences in the Middle East
When you are in the Middle East, there are things that you need to consider, specifically the skincare ingredients that you must use. The consumers in this region are particularly interested in natural and mild ingredients and special skin issues.
Natural Skincare Preference
Currently, Middle Eastern consumers are shifting towards natural products, particularly those that incorporate wholesome plant properties. This implies that people are increasingly using products that are free from alcohol and incompatible with sensitive skin. The beauty and skincare products that currently enjoy fairly good patronage include those that are made from natural ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Rose Water, and Argan Oil, among others.
Halal Certification Is Essential
Apart from natural products, another feature that is important to Middle Eastern consumers is halal products, especially the skincare products they use. Most Muslim shoppers prefer to use products that do not violate their religion, and as such, the best skin care products should not contain alcohol or any ingredients derived from pork. Halal skin care products also appear to be safer and culturally appropriate to Muslims living in the area, thus giving them an advantage. As has been mentioned before, for those brands, which want to establish themselves in the Middle Eastern market, specifically getting the halal certification is of vital importance to gain consumer’s confidence.
Traditional Ingredients
Historically, Middle Eastern women have valued traditional cosmetics and creams that included natural helpful components. These are ingredients that are not only potent but very much embedded in culture and tradition.
| Ingredients | Efficacy | Application Scenarios |
| Frankincense Resin | Anti-inflammatory, skin repair | Essence, facial mask |
| Black Seed Oil | Anti-aging, wrinkle reduction | Eye cream, facial oil |
| Arabic Coffee | Exfoliation, cleansing | Scrub, cleansing powder |
Technological Ingredients
As part of the regular ingredients, technological ingredients are the ones being embraced in the modern world. These ingredients are targeted towards common skin problems in accordance with today’s lifestyle and women’s skin, especially in the hot and dry climate of Middle Eastern countries.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Excellent for hydration, keeping skin moisturized in dry conditions.
- Vitamin C Derivative (THD Ascorbate): This stable form of Vitamin C is great for brightening and protecting skin against sun damage in high-temperature environments.
Thus, by blending these traditional ingredients with advanced technology, Middle Eastern brands can offer a product that will meet the requirements of modern cosmetics consumers and respond to the traditions of Middle Eastern countries at the same time.
Core Ingredients Essential for Popular Skin Care Products
The following table serves to display the best skin care ingredients consumers in the Middle East should apply based on their needs:
| Skin Care Needs | Recommended Ingredients | Effective Features |
| Deep Moisturizing | Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Argan Oil, Glycerin | Enhance skin hydration, provide lasting moisture, prevent water loss |
| Whitening and Brightening | Niacinamide, Arbutin, Vitamin C, Licorice Extract | Inhibit melanin formation, brighten skin tone, fade dark spots |
| Anti-aging and Repairing | Collagen, Retinol (Vitamin A), Peptides, Coenzyme Q10 | Improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, repair damaged cells |
| Anti-pollution & Calming | Cactus Extract, Rose Essence, Chamomile Extract | Provide anti-oxidation, soothe inflammation, repair the skin barrier |
| Halal & Organic and Natural | Rose Water, Date Palm Extract, Aloe Vera | Gentle and non-irritating, suitable for sensitive skin, complies with halal skincare requirements |
If properly formulated, the following ingredients will go a long way in helping OEM skincare brands to be in a position to satisfy the increasing need for good skincare products across the Middle East region.
How to Create Best-Selling Products for the Middle East Market Through OEM Customization
Thus, OEM skincare customization is one of the most effective ways to capture the Middle Eastern market. This way, the brands provide skin-care products that will fit the climate and customers in the respective region. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Lightweight & Fast-Absorbing: The dry and hot climate in the Middle Eastern region makes it significant for the products to be light on the skin and absorbed quickly into the skin.
- Rich in Antioxidants: As pollution and UV radiation are present almost everywhere, antioxidant-rich products help combat these germs.
- Gentle & Non-Irritating: Another important factor is that the products should be non-irritating due to the many challenges facing skin today, such as sensitive skin.
- Natural & Halal Certified: It will enable your formulas to meet the regional demand for halal and natural skincare.
Packaging Design
When it comes to skincare, Middle Eastern consumers have certain parameters that they would not exceed in the packaging material. The packaging of the products also needs to be attractive and properly designed to match the sophistication and quality of the products. Below is a checklist of packaging design aspects that appeal to the Middle Eastern consumer.
| Element | Requirements | Examples |
| Colors | Gold, emerald green, dark blue | La Mer Middle East limited edition gilded bottle |
| Material | Metal/glass (avoid cheap plastic) | Gucci Halal lipstick metal shell |
| Portability | 10-30ml travel-sized packaging | Kiehl’s Saudi Arabia Airport sunscreen stick |
Conclusion
The Middle Eastern cosmetics market is a growing one, and there is a great opportunity here for companies to appeal specifically to the needs of this market. By identifying the key areas of need, including those that target deep hydration, brightening, and anti-aging, you are assured of making it in this market space, especially if the product is compliant with the halal skincare standards.
BonnieCo offers its clients OEM skincare solutions that are tailored for clients in the Middle Eastern countries. By collaborating with BonnieCo, brands can achieve a one-stop solution that responds to the need for difference, effectiveness, and quality of skin care products in the region. Partner with BonnieCo today and tap into the exciting potential of the Middle Eastern skincare market!
BonnieCo, with over 15 years of experience in cosmetics manufacturing and private-label services, specializes in providing OEM/ODM one-stop solutions for your skin and hair care products.
