Key takeaways on French cosmetics exports in 2025
- French cosmetics exports fell by 0.1% in 2025 — the first contraction since the 2008 financial crisis.
- US tariffs caused a 19% decline in exports to the market, wiping €541m in value.
- EU markets grew 4% and now account for over half of French beauty exports.
- Perfumes and haircare remained strong growth categories despite global slowdown.
- FEBEA warns of continued risk in the US market but sees opportunities from new trade agreements
- French cosmetics exports stagnate as US tariffs hit 2025 performance
The French professional trade body for the cosmetics industry, Fédération des Entreprises de la Beauté (FEBEA), said that French cosmetics exports experienced a slowdown in 2025. There was a sharp decline in exports to its biggest market, the USA.
According to FEBEA, this is the first market contraction observed since the 2008 global financial crisis (excluding Covid).
US tariff barriers create major slowdown in French beauty exports
The trade body said that this was a consequence of American customs duties, which led to stagnation in total exports. Meanwhile, growth from other geographical areas was not strong enough to offset this decline.
Under the effect of new tariff barriers imposed by the United States, combined with the depreciation of the dollar, French exports of cosmetics to this market fell by nearly 19%, reaching a net amount of €2.4bn. The decline in exports across the Atlantic amounts to €541m in value.
In 2025, French exports of cosmetics fell by 0.1%, equating to €22.4bn – compared to €22.5bn the previous year. FEBEA said this is the first contraction observed since the 2008 global financial crisis, excluding the health crisis.
Until now, the sector had enjoyed an average annual export growth of around 7% over the last decade. In 2000, exports had amounted to €6.9bn and by 2010 this figure was €11bn.
Meanwhile, imports into France increased by 6% (€5.4bn), much of which was driven by growth from Asian countries such as South Korea and China, which has led to a slight deterioration in the trade balance.
While the balance remains largely in surplus, reaching nearly €17bn in 2025, its growth trajectory is slowing in an evolving international environment.
EU and Asian markets provide stability amid wider volatility
The European Union appeared to be a stable base, with an increase of 4%. It also strengthened its share of total exports (rising from 51.3% to 54.3% of the market), representing a value of €12.1bn.
Outside the EU, growth was also recorded in the UAE (+8%) and the UK (+2.9%).
China showed a slight increase (+1.2%), bringing the net value of French cosmetics exports to China to €1.8bn. Other regions, however – particularly in Asia – delivered more mixed results in a context of increased international competition, notably in the 11 ASEAN countries (-10%).
Category performance highlights resilience in perfumes and hair care
Despite all of this, the cosmetics sector still holds its position as a pillar of French foreign trade; the cosmetics industry remains France’s second‑largest export sector.
Key cosmetics exports continue to be driven by make-up and skincare products, which account for nearly half of international sales (€11bn, or 49% of the total), despite a decline of 2.1%.
Perfumes is the second‑largest export category (€8bn, or 36% of the total), which grew by 1.9% and saw growth across all global regions. Fragrance exports have more than doubled in six years.
Finally, exports of French hair care products continued to grow (+5.5%, or €1.5bn).
FEBEA said that risks continue to weigh on the trajectory of French cosmetics exports to the American market, and forecast that a further decline is likely in 2026.
It also highlighted the contrast with Korean cosmetics exports, which recorded a 12% increase globally in 2025.
“Increased international competition”
The trade association said that against this backdrop of trade wars and increased international competition, the French cosmetics industry must become more competitive or risk losing its crown. However, FEBEA is confident for the future of the sector.
“Despite this stagnation in total exports, the French cosmetics sector remains confident due to the new opportunities opened up by free trade agreements with India and Indonesia, to name but a few,” said Emmanuel Guichard, who is General Delegate at FEBEA.
“Despite the downturn in the American market, the sector is proving resilient.”
Guichard also said that the commitment of brands to ecological transition and the global desirability of French cosmetics, particularly perfumes, remain solid assets.
