RIYADH: In Saudi Arabia and across the region, skincare has gone from a small part of the beauty industry to a main focus, with new brands appearing in stores, beauty shops, and online far faster than anyone imagined a decade ago.
What’s behind the Gulf’s sudden obsession with this practice?
From pharmacists formulating serums in small labs to social media influencers building their own labels, Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf are witnessing a surge in homegrown skincare brands.
This boom is driven by a growing appetite for ingredient transparency, locally relevant products, and halal-certified formulations — all while competing in an increasingly sophisticated beauty market.
According to the Chalhoub Group’s “GCC Personal Luxury 2024: Unstoppable” report, the GCC personal luxury market reached $12.8 billion in retail sales over the 12-month period, growing 6 percent year on year despite a 2 percent decline for the sector globally.
