Emollients Market By Product Type (Synthetic Emollients {Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Myristate, Dimethicone, Others}, Natural Emollients {Plant-based oils, Animal-Derived Oils, Others}, Specialty Emollients {Ester-Based Emollients, Alkanes}, Other), By Application (Skin Care, Hair Care, Oral Care, Pharmaceutical Products, Other), By Distribution Channel (Online Retail {E-commerce Platforms, Company Websites}, Offline Retail {Supermarkets, Specialty Stores, Pharmacies}), Global Market Size, Segmental analysis, Regional Overview, Company share analysis, Leading Company Profiles And Market Forecast, 2025 – 2035

Industry Outlook

The Emollients market accounted for USD 1.76 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 2.95 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 4.8% between 2025 and 2035. The Emollients Market is growing rapidly due to increased consumer awareness of skincare and the demand for personal care products. Emollients, widely used for their moisturizing and skin-protective properties, are essential ingredients in lotions, creams, and ointments targeting dryness, eczema, and other skin conditions.

The market is growing due to the increasing adoption of natural and organic emollients, such as shea butter, cocoa butter, and plant oils, which is in line with the global trend toward sustainable and clean-label products. Advances in cosmetic formulations and the popularity of multifunctional skincare products are further driving the growth of the market.

The demand is particularly strong in regions such as North America and Europe, where premium skincare brands dominate, while Asia-Pacific presents immense opportunities due to increasing urbanization and disposable incomes. Moreover, emollients find applications beyond cosmetics, including pharmaceuticals and food industries, thereby widening their market scope. 

Report Scope:

Market Dynamics

Increasing Consumer Awareness of Skincare and Personal Grooming Routines

Consumer trends toward skincare and grooming patterns are one of the most compelling forces that drive the Emollients Market. In most cases, as consumers gain more appreciation for what constitutes healthy skin, then the market for the best skin care products is always increasing. Emollients are there for their moisturizing and protective effects and are a key component of daily care against conditions such as skin dryness, inflammation, and early aging. This trend is most apparent with the younger generation as millennials and Gen Z, to whom skincare is now a part of personal care. Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis are also on the rise, and their treatment involves the use of emollient products.

Social media and beauty influences are the main causes of understanding and demand for new, natural, and eco-friendly emollient formulations. Moreover, a variety of men’s grooming and skincare products also broaden the market area. Since consumers are in the pursuit of safe and efficient emollient products the market is benefitting from efficient dermatologist-recommended, hypoallergenic, and nontoxic goods making it a vital segment of the broader personal care segment.

Rising Demand for Natural and Plant-Based Emollient Products Globally

The major factor that is driving the growth of the emollient market is the rising demand for natural plant-based emollient products. The current market demand has shifted to sustainability and environmentally friendly products causing manufacturers to use plant-sourced ingredients including shea butter, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil among others. Natural emollients not only help with superior moisturizing, but they also meet the requirements of clean label and no-obvious chemicals formulation. The pursuit of an ever-lighter environmental impact on products and low synthetic content pushed manufacturers to seek out bio-based emollients. Sustainability regarding sourcing is well valued in the developed areas, especially in North America and Europe and the same places are showing the usage of such products.

However, in Asia-Pacific regions, as the per capita income has increased and people pay attention to natural assets of skin moisturizing products, this plant-based emollient has the following. New skin sensitivity and diseases like eczema and psoriasis have created a favorable environment for allergen-free and naturally sourced emollients. While ensuring product safety and establishing product transparency, regulatory authorities and market participants contribute to the development of natural plant-based emollients as a key driver for the predictable growth of the emollients market globally.

High Cost of Natural and Specialty Emollients Limits Affordability

The primary limitations in the emollient market are natural and specialty emollient costs are high and are not common customer-reach products. The factors that make up the high production costs when using such pricey raw materials as shea butter, jojoba oil, and other plant-derived products are the availability of raw materials, the extent of the extraction process, and adherence to sustainable production. The markets for specialty emollients are new-generation bio-based and multifunctional formulation products that are expensive due to the nature of investment in research, technology development, and innovation.

This cost barrier limits the extent to which high-quality emollients can be included in mass-consumer products in personal care. It brings out a cliff between the valued Wink and the cheapest ordinary iPhones. They observed that markets in emerging economies are sensitive to the prices and the manufacturers come under pressure when the products they launch are based on natural/specialty emollients. In addition, cost fluctuations primarily in the raw materials translate into an aggravated affordability burden that small-scale operators in the emollient market find difficult to contain. However, with demand for green and high-performance products on the incline, the cost element remains a significant barrier to the market’s full growth.

Expanding e-commerce platforms for emollient-based skincare and personal care products

This has created a big space for the Emollients Market and means that there are better opportunities for increasing the accessibility of emollient-based skincare and personal care products through new online sales channels. As consumers shift their focus to online shopping, they are researching a wide variety of products like moisturizers, creams, and ointments containing emollients. B2C channels help enter a new market at a low cost, especially if it is in developing countries where digital sales are quickly growing. The platform can boast of the service in terms of emphasizing the advantages of the product, simplified ingredients list, and the further certification of the natural/organic nature of Emollients, thereby catering to the constantly rising global need for the development of environmentally friendly Emollients Market solutions.

Furthermore, utilizing the reviews of a product or service, using data analytical tools and algorithms powered by Artificial Intelligence, really makes shopping easy as well as increasing consumer confidence to purchase a product and make repeat purchases. Promotional sales and subscription options also drive the sales for skincare necessities that contribute to increased online emollient products’ demand. As internet usage and demand for smartphones and online payment methods continue to rise, e-commerce platforms become an important value proposition that helps the Emollients Market to expand its consumer base together with the convenience, choice, and ease offered to consumers. Hence, it is stressed that brands are to maximize their Internet presence and promotion efforts as they continue to tap into the increasingly attractive e-commerce opportunity.

Development of eco-friendly and sustainable emollient formulations

Online sellers need to create greener and more sustainable emollient formulations to drive transformation in this market. Today's consumers make eco-friendly choices that push for emollient ingredients made from renewable plant-based materials that fully decompose naturally. Manufacturers now prefer plant oils and shea butter alongside bio-fermented substances in place of traditional petroleum-based ingredients. Companies face growing pressure to develop innovative ingredients at minimum environmental cost through their product development. Governments support companies when they change to ingredients that are safe for nature and environmentally certified.

Scientific discoveries in green chemistry and biotechnology now create new sustainable emollients that perform better than petroleum-based ingredients without changing the product experience. The personal care and pharmaceuticals sectors and cosmetics brands accept sustainable emollients because these products help them meet consumer expectations and grow their company's respect. As sustainability matters most the Emollients Market will continue developing and growing through new technology.

Industry Experts Opinion

“In infants with atopic dermatitis, the skin barrier is frequently compromised because of a lack of essential lipids. Emollients provide these exogenous lipids which help in the restoration of the barrier and reduce the susceptibility of the skin to irritants and allergens”

• Dr. Vinay H. Joshi, Neonatologist and Paediatric Intensivist, Cloudnine Hospital

Segment Analysis

Based on Product Type, synthetic emollients lead in the Emollients Market mostly because of their wide use in various personal care applications as well as pharmaceutical applications. Mineral oil, petrolatum, isopropyl myristate, and dimethicone are some examples of synthetic emollients that help take less money but give good moisturizing properties, so they are always used in various forms of products from moisturizers to lotions up to ointments. Such emollients are preferred because they help form a protective layer on the skin; retain moisture and can moisture for a long time. Synthetic emollients are cheap and easily obtained and this enhances their demand, especially for products within the common use. Second, synthetic emollients have a stable chemical composition and quality consistency and have further strengthened their positions, particularly in pharmaceutical applications where they are used externally. However, the trend that desires natural products has remained a challenge to synthetic emollients even though they occupy a major stake in the global market.

Based on Application, skincare holds the largest share in the emollients market, because of the increasing awareness and demand for personal care products that enhance the health of one's skin. With the growth in skincare routines and the development of skin conditions such as eczema, dryness, and sensitivity, the importance of using emollients to moisturize and protect one's skin becomes inevitable. Emollients are used in skin care products to moisturize, soften, and protect the skin from environmental stressors, making them an essential ingredient in moisturizers, body lotions, and facial creams. The rise in premium and natural emollient-based formulations is driving demand in the skincare segment, which is also witnessing an increase in demand for organic and cruelty-free products. As the demand for multifunctional skincare products continues to rise, the Emollients Market continues to grow in strength, particularly in regions with high awareness of skincare. The skin care segment further benefits from this shift towards more eco-friendly and sustainable formulations. 

Regional Analysis

North America is the largest growing Emollients Market region, primarily due to high consumer awareness and increasing adoption of skincare and personal care products. Emollients are requested due to an effective cosmetic and pharmaceutical market, particularly in the United States. In this region, consumers tend to value multipurpose, innovative/emo-lif-enhancing skincare products that can offer skin softening/ conditioning, calming, and anti-aging effects. Currently, the two types of emollients attract great demand, especially the natural ones like plant-derived oils and other products from organic agriculture. Moreover, there are requests at the market level due to the existence of the main brands of available skincare products and the emergence of new SKUs that contain, for example, more effective emollient components for dermatological diseases. Market penetration has also been supported by the expansion of the retail channels, including internet retailing and the general growth of e-retailing. The growing market environment in North America along with an increasing consciousness towards environmentally friendly vegan products is also the driving force.

The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing Emollients Market, primarily due to fast-growing economies increasing disposable incomes, and consumer awareness about skincare. Other nations such as China, India, and Japan are witnessing demand for skin solutions, also known as emollients. Well-established middle classes across your respective markets consume Westernized beauty and grooming trends and are therefore exhibiting an elevated interest in premium skincare. Besides, more consumers are having skin problems such as skin dryness and aging; hence, the necessity of emollient products. Mineral and plant extracts are experiencing substantial growth because the community is embracing natural and herbal products. E-business is gaining ground and consumers can easily obtain a wider array of literary emollient-finished skin care products. The region also has immense potential because of the growing demand for green products and sustainability throughout the world. This growth is expected to benefit manufacturers who supply friendly emollients to the environment so much. Currently, the urbanization rate is on the rise, and consumers especially in the Asia-Pacific region are becoming more conscious about their skin health.

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the emollients market is dominated by several global and regional players that offer a wide range of products across synthetic, natural, and specialty emollients. Some of the key players dominating the market include BASF SE, Croda International, and Evonik Industries, primarily due to their extensive product portfolios and strong distribution networks. These companies have employed highly developed techniques in the research and development of new emollient products including skin and hair care and pharmaceuticals. Other key players are also small specialty players who are dedicated to natural and renewable emollients for expanding environmentalism and green chemical markets. Market leader strategic options like merger & acquisition, product development, and alliances & partnerships prevail today. Given the usage and increase in transactions through e-business, a new facet of rivalry has emerged in the sense that brands go further afield than the maximum audience set. Thus, when these consumers’ needs and preferences change, the companies must design versatile multipurpose milk delivering higher performance standards. This colorful image still gives more direction that shapes the new sphere for the emollient products.

Emollients Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

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Recent Developments:

• In March 2024, Covestro confirmed its intention to increase the usage of recycled material in its operations. While not related to emollients, it reflects their focus on sustainability, which could extend to developing more eco-friendly emollient solutions.
• In February 2024, BASF launched a collaboration with a biotechnology firm Acies Bio to create more sustainable bio-based feedstocks for a range of products, potentially including emollient ingredients.
• In March 2023, Clariant responded to the interest of consumers in a growing understanding of skincare worldwide with the launch of its new natural emollient, Plantasens Pro LM. Pampered, rich, and luxurious sensations are felt not only during its use but also immediately after.

Report Coverage:

By Product Type

• Synthetic Emollients
  • Mineral Oil
  • Petrolatum
  • Isopropyl Myristate
  • Dimethicone
  • Others
• Natural Emollients
  • Plant-based oils
  • Animal-Derived Oils
  • Others
• Specialty Emollients
  • Ester-Based Emollients
  • Alkanes
• Others

By Application

• Skin Care
• Hair Care
• Oral Care
• Pharmaceutical Products
• Other

By Distribution Channel

• Online Retail
  • E-commerce Platforms
  • Company Websites
• Offline Retail
  • Supermarkets
  • Specialty Stores
  • Pharmacies

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC Countries
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

List of Companies:

• BASF SE
• Croda International Plc
• Evonik Industries AG
• The Dow Chemical Company
• Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
• Clariant International Ltd.
• AkzoNobel N.V.
• Lubrizol Corporation
• Symrise AG
• Innospec Inc.
• Kraton Polymers LLC
• Solvay S.A.
• Huntsman Corporation
• Stepan Company
• Galaxy Surfactants Ltd

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)