The American Academy of Dermatology has reported acne to be growing in adults, with 54% aged over 25 at least having some facial form of it.
The problem, associated with excess oil and an increasing number of blackheads is usually a problem during puberty, but is appearing in more women in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s and beyond.
Thus, researcher Maria Fernandez says beauty companies have an opportunity to innovate to fight this new issue.
Anti-disease management
Datamonitor Consumer’s 2013 Survey showed that the reduction of acne and associated scars is essential or a high priority for 43% of skincare shoppers, indicates the real potential of the “disease management” market.
According to Fernandez, skincare approaches have traditionally focused on prevention (e.g. anti-aging) or maintenance (e.g. moisturize), often forgetting the idea of cure, which is the most favorable approach for anti-acne products.
Whereas, now the opportunity lies where skincare products overlap with medicine.
"Brands also have the option of filling the existing gap between care and cure by going deep into cosmoceuticals in order to attract a more result-oriented adult consumer," Maria adds.
Products already catering to this demand
Currently, Murad has anti-blemish regimes on the market, which also incorporates anti-aging properties, and Estee Lauder, which has recently launched the “Clear Difference” range, claimed to be its “first treatment against blemishes or breakouts.”
Recent launches in the make-up segment already include anti-acne options, such as Cover FX branded Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne treatment in Canada.
The same has been spotted in the soap bars category, with products such as the Skin Doctor branded Organic Soap available in Nigeria.
This new wave of anti-acne solutions could revolutionize a segment that seems to be stuck in traditional teenager solutions.