Fruit and veg extract trend reaches new heights

The trend for cosmetic products containing fruit and veg extracts is reaching new heights in the beauty industry, with many more manufacturers tapping in and creating cosmetic ranges to suit.

An unprecedented number of cosmetic products, from facial colour cosmetics to skin care lines, have been launched that incorporate fruit extracts - benefiting from the natural anti-oxidant properties they contain.

Now even self-tan/sun care manufacturers are picking up on the trend, indicative of the fact that things appear to have gone full circle in the industry, while increasing all the more the prevalence of the natural and organic sector in the cosmetics market.

With market research company Organic Monitor estimating that the European market for natural and organic products is currently growing at 20 per cent a year, and set to surpass a value of €1bn, the trend for fruit extracts should serve to help take these figures to new heights.

Manufacturers are inundating the cosmetic world with launches of products that contain ingredients such as pomegranate, pyrus malus (derived from apple), citrus and peach extracts, with premium brands such as Chanel and Christian Dior amongst the first to release make up ranges this year.

Likewise, mass market manufacturers such as Maybelline, who created a lip palette containing blackcurrant extracts, are aiming to benefit from the growing consumer desire for products that contain botanical and herbal ingredients that serve to care and nourish the skin.

Following this trend, Unilever has used Germany as a launch pad for its new Axe Best of Summer body lotion that has self-tan properties that develops over time and contains citrus essences to create a summer scent.

Meanwhile Brazilian cosmetics company, Cria Sim Productos has made use of vegetable extracts, combining carrot and tomato oil in its Davene Sol de Verao Bronzeadora self-tan lotion, launched in Brazil earlier this year.

And even flowers are getting a look in=. Premium manufacturer Chanel has created a lightweight tanning lotion launched on the US, Soleil Identite, which incorporates White Lilly extracts that is said to give the skin a moisturising element.

With manufacturers getting increasingly adventurous with regards the types of ingredients they use it seems consumers will be well prepared for even more obscure ingredients still.

Could this mean the advent of onion extract skin care products? Wait and see.