Guerlain’s fragrance strategy in China: From skincare trust to fragrance authority
In 1993, Guerlain’s fragrance strategy in China was based on a contradiction: although founded in 1828 and renowned for its fragrance heritage, the French maison emphasized skincare over fragrance in the Chinese market. Its local growth was primarily driven by skincare and cosmetics, causing a tension between its global fragrance legacy and its market positioning […]
Sunscreen market in China: From SPF protection to skincare-driven daily use
Ultraviolet (UV) protection alone is not enough in the sunscreen market in China. Sunscreen is becoming more deeply integrated into daily skincare routines, outdoor lifestyles, and beauty regimens. This is raising the standards of sunscreen among Chinese consumers. According to Qingyan Intelligence, the sunscreen market in China was valued at RMB 27.5 billion in 2025, […]
Chinese anti-aging market is no longer about age, it’s about timing, ingredients, and precision
In China, conversations around aging are starting earlier and becoming more specific. It is increasingly common to see younger consumers paying attention to subtle skin changes, while older groups focus on maintaining overall condition rather than reversing it. At the same time, people are becoming more selective in what they use. Consumers are reading ingredient […]
Flower Knows’ strategy in China: Leveraging cosplayer culture and visual storytelling
Flower Knows stands out with its whimsical, fairytale-inspired makeup and intricate packaging. The brand is solidly established in the cosmetics market in China due to its unique “girlish aesthetic,” which has garnered a loyal Gen Z and Millennial customer base. Part of the success of Flower Knows’ strategy in China can also be attributed to […]
Sephora in China: Losing ground in a new era of beauty
Once hailed as the go-to destination for premium beauty in China, Sephora in China now finds itself at a crossroads. Backed by LVMH, Sephora entered the Chinese mainland in April 2005 with its first store in Shanghai, introducing a globally inspired, sleek retail concept. Its stylish interiors and exclusive offerings—including localized brands like SkinVital, Fusion Beauty, […]
How C-beauty brand Timage is leveraging social media to grow its consumer base
Timage (彩棠) is a Chinese makeup brand. During 2022 Douyin Double 11, it performed exceptionally well, ranking among the top ten highest-selling makeup companies. Timage has been growing non-stop for the past year and a half. How was it able to increase popularity so drastically? The pandemic caused temporary setback for China’s beauty industry Due […]
Required cosmetics animal testing in China is loosening: “Ordinary” products no longer required to do animal testing
At some point, all major cosmetics brands were faced with the difficult decision: enter the Chinese market or stick to their principles. This is due to China’s requirement of cosmetics to undergo animal testing. However, on May 1st 2021, China has loosened its requirement for animal testing. In short, pre-market animal testing is no longer […]
How Winona became the #1 brand for sensitive skin in China
Winona, founded in 2008, is a Chinese skincare brand that specifically targets sensitive skin. Although faced with many strong incumbents in the industry, Winona was able to appeal to customers and rank number one in the sensitive skincare category in 2020. In June 2020, Winona’s parent company Yunnan Botanee Group, a biotechnology manufacturer, filed for […]
Florasis is conquering the Chinese beauty market with elegantly oriental products
The Florasis brand was founded on March 8, 2017 in Hangzhou, China. In Chinese language the brand name is pronounced Hua Xizi (花西子), which means “make up with flowers”. It refers to the use of floral ingredients in their cosmetics. Xizi is also the honorary name for one of the ancient Chinese beauties. This Chinese cosmetics brand hopes to […]
The secret to how CHIOTURE grew by 500 million RMB, nearly three-fold, in one year
CHIOTURE (稚优泉) is a Chinese cosmetics brand that focuses on becoming a “Global Cosmetic Fashion Catcher”. It is committed to customizing exclusive makeup for every individual. CHIOTURE integrates trendy colors and eyes-catching elements to create a creative cosmetic brand full of vitality “Lifestyle”. Source: CHIOTURE, Brand logo The transformation of CHIOTURE From 2017 to 2018: […]
How brands can reach Chinese male beauty consumers
A few years ago, the perception of beauty market was that it was a market primarily, if not strictly, for women. However, in recent years, the tides in China’s beauty market have begun to turn. Chinese men have become more aware of their appearance and have an increased need for beauty products. While beauty brands […]
Comparing foreign vs. domestic brand approaches to cosmetics marketing in China
Foreign cosmetics brands have historically taken a larger market share in China; in 2018 they took 70% of the cosmetics market. However in 2020, Chinese domestic cosmetic brands are giving foreign brands a run for their money. In fact, when it comes to amount of attention received from cosmetics fans, seven of the ten top […]