Brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance has released its Cosmetics 50 2026 ranking, revealing the most valuable and strongest beauty brands of the year.

Insights:

• The cosmetics sector faces industry-wide headwinds, reflected in a 6% decline in collective brand value to US$149.8bn in 2026, as growth shifts from price-led to innovation-led.
• French cosmetics brands continue to dominate the ranking, accounting for 47% (US$68.5bn) of the sector's total brand value, followed by the USA with a 35% share (US$50.4bn) and Germany with 6% (US$10.1bn).
• Consumer spending has shifted, with customers cutting back on non-essential purchases while increasingly demanding quality and performance rather than paying premium prices without clear proof of effectiveness.
• Global climate volatility continues to push demand for climate-adaptive formulations, with innovation focusing on skin longevity, barrier protection and weather-responsive products.
• Sustainability is a key driver of consumer choice in the sector, driving 3% of purchase consideration - with The Body Shop, Garnier and NARS leading sustainability perceptions across Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) pillars respectively.

Most valuable cosmetics brands 2026:

1. Chanel (US$24.4bn) 2. L'Oréal (US$13.5bn) 3. Gillette (US$8.4bn) 4. Nivea (US$7.9bn) 5. Guerlain (US$6.6bn) 6. Dove (US$5.5bn) 7. Lancôme (US$5.1bn) 8. Estée Lauder (US$4.9bn) 9. Pantene (US$4.9bn) 10. Garnier (US$4.9bn)

Strongest cosmetics brands 2026:

1. Chanel (89.8)   2. Lancôme (86.1) 3. Bioré (85.7)   4. Gillette (85.2) 5. Rexona (84.7) 6. SK-II (81.9) 7. Gucci (79.2) 8. Valentino (79.1) 9. Lifebuoy (79.1) 10. Natura (78.6)

Fastest growing brands:

• Bulgari – The fastest growing cosmetics brand of 2026, recording a 41% brand value increase to US$1bn. The Italian luxury brand generated record sales from its 'Polychroma' collection and expanded with new flagship stores in Milan, Los Angeles, Miami, Tokyo and Riyadh.
• Bioré – Rises 29 spots to become the third strongest brand in the ranking with a BSI score of 85.7/100, boosted by its UV Aqua Rich Watery Hold Cream sunscreen launch and a global campaign partnership with K-pop group Stray Kids.

For more information, visit brandfinance.com.