Cosmetics and personal care products are applied to the human body for the purposes of cleaning, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or changing its appearance.
Ranging from antiperspirants, fragrances, make-up and shampoos, to soaps, sunscreens and toothpastes, cosmetics and personal care products play an essential role in all stages of our life.

Specifically, there are seven categories of cosmetics and personal care products – oral care, skin care, sun care, hair care, decorative cosmetics, body care and perfumes. Further examples are listed in the diagram below.

People have been using cosmetics for thousands of years, and today, the vast majority of Europe’s 500 million consumers use cosmetics and personal care products every day to protect their health, enhance their well-being and boost their self-esteem. Learn more about the benefits of cosmetics and personal care products.

The market penetration of some cosmetic and personal care products For instance, deodorant usage is close to total in the UK, with 94% of women and 87% of men using deodorants, while in France, 98% of adult women and 94% of adult Men use liquid shampoo.