Sales of U.S. prestige beauty products grew 9 percent to $4.2 billion in the first quarter, according to The NPD Group. Skin care, which rose 14 percent to $1.5 billion, drove overall sales during the three-month period.

Classic categories such as toners/clarifiers rose 19 percent; eye treatments grew 14 percent and lip treatments increased 14 percent. Sales of face moisturizers rose 11 percent, while age specialist products grew 13 percent, compared to the 4 percent decline seen last year at this time. The sun care segment also had a bright performance in Q1, with sunscreen sales up 47 percent, and self-tanners realizing a 38 percent jump.

Larissa Jensen, Executive Director and Beauty Industry analyst, The NPD Group, said of the quarter’s performance, “Consumer interest in wellness, ingredients and natural brands continues to fuel skin care and bring attention to the category, as well as excite consumers into brick and mortar stores. For the first time in more than three years, the channel is responsible for the majority of the gains in the category,” said Larissa.

U.S. prestige sales of makeup grew 7 percent to $2 billion during the quarter. Within makeup, lip gloss sales grew by 19 percent, while lip color declined 3 percent. Foundation, the largest player in the face makeup segment, saw sales rise 7 percent. Eye shadow and mascara were strong performers in eye makeup, with sales up 15 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

Larissa commented, “Despite kicking off 2018 with the strongest launch volume in three years, makeup’s growth is in line with last year, indicating existing products are not as strong as they were a year ago. Even so, the category has maintained a positive momentum that is encouraging in a market that has become increasingly fragmented as competition continues to grow outside of traditional channels.”

Overall sales of fragrance grew 9 percent to $706 million, while sales of fragrance juices grew by 9 percent compared to a flat performance in Q1 2017. Home scents continued to perform well, with sales up 68 percent in Q1, led by candles, diffusers and other home ancillaries.

“The last two holiday months of December and February have shown significant improvement over the prior year. This positive momentum continues in March as we head into Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. With a heavy reliance on holiday periods, this may signal a hopeful time for fragrance in 2018,” said Larissa.