Emollients Global Market Report 2026

Emollients are cosmetic preparations applied directly to the skin for moisturizing treatment, reducing transepidermal water loss by forming an occlusive oil film on the stratum corneum.

Emollients come in various types, including esters, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, ethers, silicones, and others. Esters are chemical compounds that undergo reactions with water, producing organic acids, inorganic acids, and alcohols. These versatile compounds are found in both solid and liquid forms, extensively utilized in applications such as skincare, haircare, deodorants, oral care, and more. Emollients play a crucial role in the cosmetics, toiletries, oral care, and other related industries.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are impacting the emollients market by increasing costs of imported specialty oils, esters, silicones, and chemical intermediates used in cosmetic formulations. Cosmetics manufacturers in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressure on export-oriented ingredient production. These tariffs are raising formulation costs and affecting pricing strategies. However, they are also encouraging local ingredient sourcing, development of alternative natural emollients, and regional supply chain diversification.

The emollients market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides emollients market statistics, including emollients industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a emollients market share, detailed emollients market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the emollients industry. This emollients market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The emollients market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.63 billion in 2025 to $1.73 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of personal care and cosmetics industry, rising consumer awareness of skin health, increasing use of moisturizing formulations, expansion of global beauty markets, availability of synthetic emollient alternatives.

The emollients market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.14 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for clean-label cosmetics, rising adoption of plant-based ingredients, expansion of dermatology-focused products, growing focus on long-lasting skin hydration, increasing investment in cosmetic ingredient innovation. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for natural and bio-based emollients, increasing use in premium skin care products, growing adoption in dermatological formulations, expansion of multifunctional cosmetic ingredients, enhanced focus on skin barrier protection.

The increasing demand for personal care products is expected to propel the growth of the emollient market going forward. Personal care products refer to those products that are used for personal grooming and maintaining personal hygiene. Emollients are the ingredients that are used in personal care products to relieve irritation and dryness of the skin. These are used in various skincare and personal care products to provide moisturizing effects, smoothen fine lines and wrinkles, improve photodamage, and reduce signs of aging. For instance, in March 2023, according to the Federal Reserve Economic Data, a US-based online database organization, the consumer price index for personal care products in the major cities of the USA was $160.22 in January 2022 and grew to $171.53 representing a growth of 6.59% in February 2023. Therefore, the increasing demand for personal care products is driving the growth of the emollient market going forward.

Major companies operating in the emollients market are focusing on developing sustainable and bio-based solutions to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly personal care and cosmetic products. Sustainable emollients are derived from renewable raw materials, providing skin-conditioning benefits while minimizing environmental impact. For instance, in September 2024, Evonik, a Germany-based specialty chemicals company, opened a new plant at its Steinau site to produce sustainable emollients. The facility will increase production capacity, improve supply reliability, and strengthen Evonik's portfolio of eco-friendly personal care ingredients, supporting the shift toward sustainable formulations. This launch gives Evonik a competitive advantage by enabling faster market response, scaling sustainable product offerings, and meeting rising regulatory and consumer demand for green cosmetics.

In April 2024, Clariant, a Switzerland-based specialty chemicals company, completed the acquisition of Lucas Meyer Cosmetics for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, Clariant aims to expand its portfolio of high-value cosmetic ingredients, strengthen its position in the global personal care market, enhance innovation capabilities, and drive long-term growth and profitability. Lucas Meyer Cosmetics is a Canada-based manufacturer of specialty cosmetic ingredients and solutions serving various personal care applications.

Major companies operating in the emollients market are Cargill Incorporated, BASF SE, The Dow Chemical Company, Peter Cremer North America LP, Stephenson Group Ltd., Evonik Industries AG, Sasol Limited, Solvay SA, Kao Corporation, Croda International plc, Eastman Chemical Company, The Lubrizol Corporation, Lonza Group Ltd., Clariant AG, Stepan Company, Ashland Inc., Innospec Inc., Elementis plc, Emery Oleochemicals LLC, Sonneborn LLC, Oleon NV, Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Hallstar, Jarchem Industries Inc., Colonial Chemical Inc., Lipo Chemicals Inc.

North America was the largest region in the emollient market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global emollients market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the emollients market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the emollients market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The emollient market consists of sales of creams, ointments, bath additives, soap substitutes, and cosmetic products. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Emollients Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses emollients market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for emollients ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The emollients market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Esters; Fatty Alcohols; Fatty Acids; Ethers; Silicones; Other Types
• 2) By Form: Solid; Liquid
• 3) By Application: Skin Care; Hair Care; Other Applications
• 4) By End User: Cosmetics Industries; Toiletries Industries; Other End-Users
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Esters: Aliphatic Esters; Aromatic Esters
• 2) By Fatty Alcohols: Long-Chain Fatty Alcohols; Short-Chain Fatty Alcohols
• 3) By Fatty Acids: Saturated Fatty Acids; Unsaturated Fatty Acids
• 4) By Ethers: Glyceryl Ethers; Alkyl Ethers
• 5) By Silicones: Dimethicone; Cyclomethicone; Silicone Oils
• 6) By Other Types: Natural Emollients; Synthetic Emollients
• Companies Mentioned: Cargill Incorporated; BASF SE; The Dow Chemical Company; Peter Cremer North America LP; Stephenson Group Ltd.; Evonik Industries AG; Sasol Limited; Solvay SA; Kao Corporation; Croda International plc; Eastman Chemical Company; The Lubrizol Corporation; Lonza Group Ltd.; Clariant AG; Stepan Company; Ashland Inc.; Innospec Inc.; Elementis plc; Emery Oleochemicals LLC; Sonneborn LLC; Oleon NV; Vantage Specialty Chemicals; Hallstar; Jarchem Industries Inc.; Colonial Chemical Inc.; Lipo Chemicals Inc.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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