Are At-home Skin Care Devices the Next Billion Dollar Market?

A new report from worldwide consulting and research firm Kline & Company reveals key findings on the booming market for power-operated devices designed for acne elimination, anti-aging treatment, and daily cleansing. In At-home Skin Care Devices 2011: U.S. Market Analysis and Opportunities, Kline's research pegs the market at close to $1 billion at the retail level for 2011, with exceptional growth expected for the next five years. Kline's report is the first of its kind to take an in-depth look at the market for this emerging class of products.

"We knew this market was really taking off, but even we were shocked by its sheer size," said Karen Doskow, Industry Manager for Consumer Products at Kline. "Clearly, these devices are finding a very receptive and growing audience of savvy consumers looking to save time and money by avoiding regular trips to the doctor for those in-office procedures that were once commonplace in more robust economic times." With more consumers staying at home, either due to job losses or by virtue of the work-at-home/telecommuting trend, Doskow says the direct sales channel, which includes home shopping networks, infomercials, and e-commerce, is the primary means of distribution, with about 60% of the total market share.

While sonic cleansing products, led by market leader Clarisonic, top the list as the highest growth segment, acne treatment devices are the fastest growing. Meanwhile, anti-aging devices are expected to grow by a very healthy 50% this year alone, benefiting from consumers' demand for products to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. Kline's recent Professional Skin Care research revealed that anti-aging is the number one skin care concern for consumers, with topical product sales in this category comprising more than 40% of the market. "This dynamic provides a perfect opportunity for device and topical product manufacturers to pair their products together to meet consumers' anti-aging needs," Doskow said.

At-home Skin Care Devices 2011: U.S. Market Analysis and Opportunities also points to strong opportunities for manufacturers to develop mass market product options for price-sensitive consumers and to diversify their product lines to appeal to a wide range of age groups, from teens to mature consumers. "It's incredible how marketers are targeting teens with colorful and easy-to-use products such as Neutrogena's Wave amongst other market entrants," adds Doskow.

Kline's At-home Skin Care Devices 2011: U.S. Market Analysis and Opportunities covers the market for facial-related, power-operated devices with 19 key brand profiles and sales channel data derived from the direct, luxury, and mass distribution trade classes. For more information, visit www.klinegroup.com.

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