Irish health and beauty sector shines on world stage
With a growing number of multimillion-euro international brands and an increasing number of fast-scaling younger brands, the Irish health and beauty sector is going from strength to strength, and is fast becoming recognised internationally as an incubator of quality beauty companies.
That strength was evident at the Cosmoprof trade show in Bologna, Italy. It’s the largest international beauty trade event in Europe and one of the most important in the world. Almost 250,000 visitors from 150 countries attended this year’s event, with more than 3,000 exhibitors from 69 countries.
Following on from the inaugural success of the Enterprise Ireland-led Ireland Pavilion at Cosmoprof in 2023, Enterprise Ireland (EI) returned in 2024 with a collection of eight exciting Irish brands that reflect Ireland’s growing position in the sector.
New for 2024 were four Irish brands: G5 Haute Cosmetiques, Ground Wellbeing, Pestle & Mortar and The Kind Brand Company, who were joined by last year’s participants LA Pacific, Gardiner Family Apothecary, Green Angel and Nunaia Beauty.
In 2023, Nunaia Beauty won the ‘Green & Organic’ award, succeeding in a field of over 700 international brands. And Irish exhibitor Seabody was selected for the CosmoTrends shortlist.
Other well-known Irish beauty brands thriving include Voya, Sculpted by Aimee, Ella & Jo, Fragrances of Ireland, Ayu Cosmetics, the Handmade Soap Company and Burren Perfumery. The sector has seen double-digit growth in sales and exports in recent years, which will cheer newcomers to the sector such as haircare companies Sea+Solu and Hair Health Essentials, plus nutritional supplement company Sisterly.
While individual Irish brands specialise in various areas, they typically have a similar approach when it comes to using best-inclass ingredients, having a sustainable approach and often a science-backed product range.
Irish beauty and cosmetic companies demonstrate an exceptional commitment to sustainability and are noted for the quality and authenticity of their products.
The theme of the Irish Pavilion this year was ‘Driven by purpose, perfected by nature’ reflecting the centrality of sustainability to the Irish companies.
Their combination of clean, natural and biodiverse ingredients with scientific technologies brings innovation to the global market and drives positive business practices that lead to real change in the industry.
Many Irish health and beauty companies develop their products based on scientific research. And in this, Ireland’s pharmaceutical grade manufacturing and research capabilities are a huge advantage to the sector – as is the support of the Irish retail and pharmacy sector, which continues to champion Irish brands, and helps and encourages them in their first steps to market.
Digital platforms also give companies in the sector a route to global markets, with many developing bricks and mortar channels to realise their growth ambitions in key markets, be it through finding the right distributor partner or opening their own shops.
Whether it’s opening a new outlet, researching an export market or investing in digital processes, companies in the sector are well supported by Enterprise Ireland’s network of 39 overseas offices.