The UK beauty market thrives in 2025. It grows despite economic pressures. Consumers demand innovation and sustainability. This article explores key trends, statistics, and forecasts. You will discover growth drivers and challenges. Moreover, it highlights opportunities for brands and salons.

Market Size and Growth
The UK beauty market reaches £13.63 billion in revenue by 2025 (Statista, 2025). I
t expands at a 4.12% CAGR through 2033 (Data Insights Market, 2024).
Furthermore, the sector contributes £30.4 billion to GDP in 2024 alone (British Beauty Council, 2025). This marks 1.1% of total UK GDP.
Growth persists despite inflation. Consumers prioritise “essential” beauty products. For instance, the lipstick effect drives sales during cost-of-living crises (Van Boxel in Premium Beauty News, 2025).
Additionally, professional services hit £10.1 billion, up 15% year-on-year (British Beauty Council, 2025).
Retail follows closely at £22.3 billion.
London leads with over 25% of sales (Data Insights Market, 2024).
However, regions like the South East and North West gain traction.
Online sales project 23% of total by 2028 (GlobalData via Premium Beauty News, 2025).
Therefore, e-commerce transforms access for UK shoppers.
Key Segments Driving Revenue
Color cosmetics dominate at 40% market share (Data Insights Market, 2024).
Lip and nail products surge next. Hair styling grows steadily too. Skincare demands rise with anti-aging focus.
The UK anti-ageing market values £1.5 billion (Mintel via Next Step Beauty, 2025).
Niche segments boom.
Organic beauty projects £1.1 billion by 2027 at 8.4% CAGR (Grand View Research via Next Step Beauty, 2025).
Vegan cosmetics hit £417 million, expanding at 6.5% (Grand View Research via Next Step Beauty, 2025).
Halal beauty accelerates at 15.2% CAGR (Grand View Research via Next Step Beauty, 2025).
Fragrance and cosmetics lead overall growth. They forecast 16-17% surges by 2028 (GlobalData via Premium Beauty News, 2025).
Meanwhile, hair and beauty treatments reach £5.8 billion (PolicyBee, 2025).
Thus, diverse segments fuel the UK beauty market 2025 expansion.
Consumer Behaviour Shifts
UK consumers seek value and authenticity. Moreover, 40% of 16-24-year-olds prefer independent brands (Mintel via Next Step Beauty, 2025).
Price sensitivity persists. Multibrand stores excel here (Sender Ceron in Premium Beauty News, 2025).
Superdrug and Boots capitalise on dupes and trends.
Social media influences purchases heavily. Instagram and TikTok drive discovery (Elliott in Premium Beauty News, 2025).
Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) rises too. Live shopping on TikTok boosts conversions. Consequently, brands blend online and social seamlessly.
Sustainability matters now.
Natural products gain demand (Data Insights Market, 2024). Personalisation via AI appeals widely.
For example, AR try-ons enhance shopping.
UK women prioritise skincare health.
Therefore, experiential retail grows in 2025.
Retail Landscape Evolution
Multibrand retailers hold the edge (Premium Beauty News, 2025).
Sephora challenges incumbents. Yet, Boots’ store network endures.
Dedicated beauty spaces expand. Online shifts gear upward significantly.
Physical stores focus on experiences. Pop-ups and events draw crowds. Meanwhile, e-tailers optimise for mobile. Amazon and TikTok Shop compete fiercely. As a result, omnichannel strategies win.
Independent salons thrive locally. London directories like London City Girls connect pros to clients. They offer verified listings and reviews. Thus, digital platforms bridge high street and online.

Employment and Economic Impact
The sector employs nearly 700,000 in 2024 (British Beauty Council, 2025). Jobs grow 16% in services. Tax contributions hit £9.4 billion in 2025. This outpaces sports and publishing sectors (Douzenis in Beauty Matter, 2025).
However, forecasts predict a slight dip to 681,000 jobs. Wage rises and NI changes influence this. Still, beauty grows 4x faster than the economy (Beauty Matter, 2025). Therefore, it remains resilient.
Top Trends Shaping UK Beauty Market 2025
1. Clean and Sustainable Beauty
Consumers demand ethical products. Organic sales accelerate rapidly. Brands highlight transparency. Certifications build trust. Moreover, refill stations reduce waste.
2. Tech-Integrated Beauty
AI personalises routines. AR virtual try-ons dominate apps. Smart mirrors appear in stores. Data analytics refine formulations. Consequently, tech elevates user experience.
3. Inclusive and Diverse Offerings
Shades expand for all skin tones. Gender-neutral lines proliferate. Halal and vegan options cater niches. Accessibility improves too. Thus, inclusivity drives loyalty.
4. Wellness Fusion
Beauty merges with health. Adaptogens enter skincare. Sleep serums trend. Mental wellness ties to glow-ups. Spas offer holistic treatments. Therefore, self-care expands definitions.
5. Experiential Retail
In-store events engage shoppers. Masterclasses draw millennials. VR demos immerse users. Pop-ups create buzz. As such, experiences boost sales.
Challenges Ahead
Economic uncertainty looms large. Competition intensifies globally. Regulations tighten on claims. Counterfeits plague online sales. Brexit hampers EU exports at 70% of total (Beauty Matter, 2025).
Supply chain issues persist. Inflation squeezes margins. However, agile brands adapt. Local sourcing mitigates risks. Thus, challenges spur innovation.
Opportunities for Brands and Salons
Indies target Gen Z via TikTok. Salons leverage directories for leads. E-commerce scales reach affordably. Partnerships with influencers amplify. Moreover, subscription models retain customers.
London pros list on platforms like London City Girls. They gain verified visibility. Reviews build credibility fast. Therefore, digital integration unlocks growth.
Future Outlook to 2028
Revenue climbs steadily. Online captures more share. Premium segments outperform. Sustainability defines leaders. Tech disrupts traditionally. Jobs stabilise around 680,000.
Exports recover post-Brexit. Domestic demand sustains momentum. CAGR holds at 3-4%. Thus, the UK beauty market 2025 sets strong foundations.
Conclusion
The UK beauty market 2025 pulses with vitality. Growth defies headwinds. Consumers evolve rapidly. Brands must innovate continuously. Salons embrace digital tools. Moreover, sustainability and tech lead the way. Stay ahead—glow on.
Reference List
Beauty Matter (2025) British Beauty Means Business: The Value of Beauty Report 2025. Available at: https://beautymatter.com/articles/british-beauty-means-business [Accessed 21 December 2025].
British Beauty Council (2025) Value of Beauty 2025. Available at: https://britishbeautycouncil.com/value-of-beauty-2025/ [Accessed 21 December 2025].
Data Insights Market (2024) UK Beauty Industry 2025-2033 Analysis. Available at: https://www.datainsightsmarket.com/reports/uk-beauty-industry-4470 [Accessed 21 December 2025].
Next Step Beauty (2025) UK Beauty Industry Stats. Available at: https://www.nextstepbeauty.co.uk/blog/uk-beauty-industry-statistics/ [Accessed 21 December 2025].
PolicyBee (2025) UK hair and beauty industry statistics 2025. Available at: https://www.policybee.co.uk/blog/uk-hair-and-beauty-industry-statistics [Accessed 21 December 2025].
Premium Beauty News (2025) UK beauty retail to see ‘notable growth and transformation’ in 2025. Available at: https://www.premiumbeautynews.com/en/uk-beauty-retail-to-see-notable,25216 [Accessed 21 December 2025].
Statista (2025) Beauty & Personal Care – United Kingdom | Market Forecast. Available at: https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/beauty-personal-care/united-kingdom [Accessed 21 December 2025].


