Global demand for natural and organic beauty ranges is continuing to rise, with sales expected to total $9 billion for this year. Research conducted by Organic Monitor suggests that by 2015, the annual total will have risen to $15 billion, with the increase being tempered only by difficult economic conditions.

The research report, due to be published by Organic Monitor in December, examines the share of beauty industry sales taken by organic or natural products for each country. The USA and Europe are currently showing the highest take up of natural beauty items, with sales reflecting up to ten per cent of the beauty and personal care sales in countries including Austria and Germany. Globally, 2 per cent of such sales are taken by natural or organic products.

Brands performing strongly include a mixture of household names and private labels. Private labels, such as those produced on behalf of certain pharmacy or supermarket chains, are found to be more likely to do well in Europe. Well-known brands have benefitted both from acquiring smaller, ethical labels and from starting to produce their own natural and organic lines.

The research suggests that demand for natural products has spread globally. As this has happened, availability of these products has moved from being the preserve of specialist retailers into mainstream stores, with larger brands becoming involved. The impact of the research by Organic Monitor will be discussed at forthcoming workshops, to be held in Hong Kong and Paris, as part of the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit.