The Chamber of Cosmetics Industry of the Philippines (CCIP) is optimistic it will exceed its 10 percent growth from last year, driven by growing consumer interest in skincare, self-care, and wellness.

Speaking on the sidelines of Cosmobeauté Philippines 2025 at the World Trade Center on Wednesday, CCIP president Christine Michelle Reyes noted that as of May 2025, the country’s beauty and personal care sector continues to post strong retail volume and value growth.

“The consumption picked up in the previous year due to the lifestyle changes and easing inflationary pressures. Middle-income groups are also growing in the Philippines alongside urbanization, with the provincial areas attracting new consumers through the development of modern grocery retailers,” Reyes said.

Reyes added that Filipinos’ purchasing power has improved thanks to easier access to credit, which further drives demand. Notably, sun care products such as sunscreens are among the top contributors to the current market expansion.

“We have to take note that the shifts in beauty and personal care stem from the growing demand for sun care (sunscreen products),” she said.

According to Reyes, the total retail value of the beauty and personal care industry in 2024 hit P292.78 million and is projected to grow even more in 2025 as innovative products continue to emerge.

“The industry remains compliant with government regulations, but there are still regulatory challenges, especially in processing business permits. But I guess the government is making sure that they are addressing it,” she said.

Pinoy cosmetics ready to go global

In a separate interview, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said Filipino cosmetic brands — especially those using coconut and other organic ingredients — are ready to go toe-to-toe with global beauty giants.

“Coconut-based cosmetics, such as shampoo, conditioner, or lotions. I feel that’s where the direction of Philippine products to go global will come from. We also need to be strategic in our approach when we sell our products because there are a lot of products from competitors such as South Korea, Japan, and the United States, all over the world,” she said in a separate interview.

She said the Philippines has a distinct advantage in natural and organic products, such as those using coconut and papaya. However, the local industry must overcome stiff competition from low-priced imported products available through e-commerce platforms.

To succeed, Roque emphasized that Filipino cosmetic entrepreneurs must innovate, stay competitive in pricing, and adopt a hybrid selling strategy — both online and in-store.

“There is still room for growth for the cosmetic industry because we have a big population of 115 million, with an average age of 25 years old, or the [usual] age who uses skin care products. We are (actually) very attractive for imported skin care,” Roque said.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is showcasing 70 Filipino beauty products at its Cosmobeauté Philippines booth.

The three-day event, organized by Informa Markets, features 250 exhibiting brands and brings together top cosmetic chemists from the Philippines and across Asia. Among the most anticipated topics are the impact of artificial intelligence on personal care, treating acne across diverse skin types, global regulatory science trends, and cosmetic ingredient safety.