Emollients Market Size, Share, and Trends 2025 to 2034

Emollients Market Size and Forecast 2025 to 2034

The global emollients market size accounted for USD 1.75 billion in 2024 and is predicted to increase from USD 1.84 billion in 2025 to approximately USD 2.77 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 4.70% from 2025 to 2034. The market is anticipated to be driven by globally increasing demand for cosmetic, beauty care, and personal care products.

Emollients Market Key Takeaways

• Asia Pacific led the market with the largest market share of 34% in 2024.
• North America is expected to experience rapid CAGR of 4.84% over the forecast period.
• By form, the liquid segment has contributed more than 70% of the market share in 2024.
• By form, the solid segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period.
• By application, the skin care segment has accounted the largest market share of 39% in 2024.
• By application, the hair care segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the projected period.
• By type, the easter segment dominated the market with the major market share of 41% in 2024.
• By type, the fatty acid segment is projected to experience the fastest growth during the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific Emollients Market Size and Growth 2025 to 2034

The Asia-Pacific emollients market size was exhibited at USD 600 million in 2024 and is projected to be worth around USD 960 million by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 4.81% from 2025 to 2034.

Asia Pacific dominated the global emollients market in 2024 and is expected to maintain its leadership position in the coming years. The growth in this region can be attributed to evolving fashion preferences and a growing trend among people to enhance their appearance in Asian countries. Also, the presence of major product manufacturers and suppliers in the region will continue to drive market trends.

• In November 2023, American personal care brand Botanic Hearth launched in India, bringing its versatile range of face care, body care, and hair care products.

North America is poised to experience rapid growth in the global emollients market over the forecast period. This surge is linked to the increasing demand for cosmetics and personal care products in the United States. The market's expansion in North America is driven by shifting consumer lifestyles, a growing emphasis on wellness and beauty, and changing purchasing habits. Additionally, the rising consumer expenditure on anti-aging and skincare cosmeceuticals contributes to the growth of the region's global market.

• In April 2023, MERIT, the minimalist beauty brand known for its impossible-to-mess-up makeup and skincare products, brings wearability and maturity back to color cosmetics with the introduction of Solo Shado, a long-wearing, lightweight, cream-to-powder eyeshadow.

Market Overview

Emollients are substances that help the skin to keep soft, hydrated, and calm. They come in various forms, like creams, lotions, or gels, and are used to treat skin conditions like burns, rashes, or dry and itchy skin. They can also be used to make stools softer and easier to pass, helping with constipation. Cosmetics containing emollients may also include other ingredients like antioxidants, perfumes, or preservatives. One can find emollients in products like shaving creams, hair tonics, skin cleansers, and sunscreens. The growing popularity of beauty products among young people and the increasing global population are driving the expansion of the emollients market. Emollient esters, which are long-lasting and versatile, are particularly helpful in creating various types of cosmetics.

Emollients Market Growth Factors

• The rise in demand for plant and animal-based oils and emollients is expected to drive the growth of the emollients market.
• An increase in skin diseases globally can raise the demand for emollients in personal care products.
• Growing demand for personal skin care products can contribute to the expansion of the emollients market.
• The young generations' increasing use of beauty products and rising population are boosting the market growth shortly.
• Increasing the use of cosmetics and personal care products worldwide can propel the growth of the emollients market over the forecast period.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Driver

Wide range of adoption

The emollients market has experienced significant growth due to their widespread use in cosmetics, skincare, fragrances, haircare, and toiletries. Emollients, particularly those derived from natural sources like plants and animals, are becoming increasingly popular as consumers seek more natural ingredients. Industries that use emollients, such as esters and fatty acids, are experiencing high demand due to their desirable properties and easy availability. Additionally, shifting lifestyles and growing awareness of personal grooming are driving the expansion of the global emollient market.

• In November 2023, Sonneborn, LLC launched SonneNatural NXG, a plant-based emollient for use in personal care products. The ingredient enhances the formulation of lip care and personal care products due to its firmness and sensory properties, per the company. The product’s naturally derived firm texture reduces the amount of thickener or wax required in the end formulation for anhydrous formulas.

Restraint

Stringent regulations

The global emollients market expansion may face challenges due to fluctuations in raw material prices and strict regulations in various countries. Laws requiring transparency about chemical ingredients and their origins can hinder the development of the emollient industry. Additionally, regulations concerning potentially toxic cosmetic ingredients may slow down market growth. Furthermore, the availability of affordable green products that serve as alternatives to emollients could also impede the expansion of the global emollient industry.

Opportunity

Benefits of offer by emollient

Emollients offer numerous sustainable benefits to personal care formulations and address complex challenges in cosmetic production. Hair care and skincare products are experiencing high demand in the personal care sector, which drives market growth. Factors such as an aging population and increased use of cosmetic products among younger generations contribute to this growth. Suppliers and chemical manufacturers are smoothly meeting the rising demand for emollient ingredients across various sectors, including dental care, hair care, and skincare. The expanding men's grooming market also significantly impacts the global emollient industry. Furthermore, the growing preference for organic and natural products in the personal care industry is expected to boost the emollients market further in the coming years.

• In April 2024, Biosynthetic® Technologies, LLC announced the launch of its 100%biobased emollient for personal care applications; BioEstolide™ 250-100 at IN COSMETICS global. Biosynthetic® Technologies manufactures a revolutionary new class of biobased synthetic compounds called BioEstolides for personal care and cosmetics formulations.

Form Insights

The emollients market in 2024 was mainly dominated by the liquid segment. Emollients are versatile for various personal care products, and they are commonly found in liquid form. Natural emollients, such as fatty acids, oils, and lipids, are naturally liquid. Synthetic emollients, like butylene glycol and capric/caprylic triglyceride, are also available in liquid form and are widely used in the liquid formulations of skincare products like creams, lotions, moisturizers, and shampoos. These factors contribute to the significant presence of liquid emollients in the global market.

• In April 2023, Momentive launched Harmonie, a range of natural plant and mineral-derived ingredients for the beauty and personal care industry. Harmonie soft fluid is a highly volatile emollient and solvent that enhances product spread ability and sensorial properties. It is compatible with silicones and natural oils and may be used in makeup formulations such as foundations, mascaras, eyeliners, and BB creams.

The solid segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period. Many companies in the industry are providing semi-solid, powdered, and waxy-solid emollients to personal care and cosmetics manufacturers. They are focusing on developing solid personal care products that have a longer shelf life and are easier to handle.

Application Insights

The skincare segment dominated the emollients market share in 2024. The rise in consumer demand for skincare items like moisturizers, creams, and lotions is a key factor behind this trend. Moreover, the growing popularity of plant-based emollients in the personal care sector is contributing to the market's expansion. Many manufacturers are creating innovative products using plant-derived oils to offer effective personal care solutions to consumers.

The hair care segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the projected period. The growth of the hair care segment in the global emollients market is driven by increasing consumer awareness of beauty and personal care. This heightened awareness is leading to greater demand for hair care products such as conditioners, shampoos, masks, creams, and hair gels.

• In February 2024, Tata Elxsi, a global leader in product engineering and innovation-led design services, introduced an innovative packaging design for the Vatika Shampoo range in the UAE market.

Type Insights

The easter segment dominated the emollients market in 2024. Esters like C12-15 alkyl benzoate, isopropyl myristate, acetyl palmitate, and myristic myristate are commonly used in making personal care emollients. The construction of this manufacturing facility was intended to cater to the growing demand in the personal care market of the Asia Pacific region.

The fatty acid segment is projected to experience the fastest growth during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the unique properties of fatty acids as emollients, which can effectively hydrate the skin by locking in moisture and reducing moisture loss to the surrounding environment. Common fatty acids used in emollients include sterols, glycerides, and phospholipids.

Recent Developments

• In November 2023, Sonneborn, LLC, introduced plant derived SonneNatural NXG emollient. Reportedly, the new product improves the formation of lip care and personal care items owing to their sensory & firmness features.
• In June 2023, Oleon is concentrating on the enzymatic esterification of ingredient development. Radia 7199ACT, an emollient and texture enhancer, and Jolee 7749ACT, a fatty ester that is good for skin and hair, are two of their most recent releases.
• In March 2023, Clariant launched Plantasens Pro LM, a novel natural emollient, in response to consumers' increasing interest in and understanding of skincare across the globe. The skin feels pampered, enriched, and opulent both during and after using this product.
• In April 2022, Seppic launched EMOGREEN™ HP 40, a new bio-based & sustainable emollient that is highly pure and sustainable.
• In November 2022, Givaudan launched Sensityl™, a cosmetic active ingredient that addresses the negative effects of stress on the skin and provides a soothing effect.
• In September 2022, BASF and L'Oréal announced a partnership to develop sustainable bio-based surfactants for personal care applications, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of formulations.

Emollients Market Companies

• BASF SE
• Clariant
• Eastman Chemical Company
• The Lubrizol Corporation
• Covestro AG
• Evonik Industries AG
• Hallstar
• Croda International PLC
• Ashland Inc.
• Sasol
• Lonza
• Stepan Company
• Oleon Health and Beauty
• Solvay
• Vantage Speciality Chemicals.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Type

• Esters
• Fatty Alcohols
• Fatty Acids
• Ethers
• Silicones
• Others

By Form

• Solid
• Liquid

By Application

• Skincare
• Hair Care
• Deodorants
• Oral Care
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa