Africa ME - UAE: Natural and Organic Market Report 2017

Published: 15-Jun-2017

Natural and organic cosmetics might be a nascent market in the UAE right now, but growing consumer awareness of contentious chemicals in products looks set to fuel further growth

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Consumers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are becoming savvier about their beauty products and more conscious of what ingredients they’re putting on their skin and hair. This increasing awareness along with a widening choice of products is driving steady growth in the country’s natural and organic cosmetics and toiletry market.

According to research company Ecovia Intelligence (formerly Organic Monitor), the UAE market for natural and organic cosmetics and toiletries was valued at nearly US$10m in 2016, accounting for about 1% of the total cosmetics and toiletry market. “Growth rates have fallen from double digit levels to single levels in recent years,” says Amarjit Sahota, founder of Ecovia Intelligence.

Despite the slower growth, international organic and natural brands have continued to enter the market and expand their offerings. US bath and body brand FarmHouse Fresh, for example, launched its vegan skin care range in the UAE in April (2017), while the UK’s Urban Veda expanded its skin care collection this year to include travel size and discovery sets.

Value data, 2016. Projected growth for 2017.<br>Source: Ecovia Intelligence

Value data, 2016. Projected growth for 2017.
Source: Ecovia Intelligence

In 2017, Ecovia projects a 4% growth for the market, propelled by greater consumer understanding of synthetic chemicals in products. “Consumers are turning to natural and organic cosmetics as they become aware of contentious chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, SLS [sodium lauryl sulfate] and SLES [sodium laureth sulfate],” Sahota says.

In many ways, the UAE’s organic cosmetics and toiletry market is going through what Europe and the US

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