Italian cosmetics: turnover expected to reach 18.1 billion euros in 2026

With an expected turnover of 18.1 billion euros (20.7 billion dollars) in 2026 and growth over the last ten years at a rate more than six times higher than the national GDP, the cosmetics industry continues to create value, skilled employment and competitiveness for the country. These figures were presented last week at Assolombarda during the event “Beauty that creates value. The numbers of Italian cosmetics and the strategic role of Lombardy in the beauty economy”. This was the inaugural conference of Milan Beauty Week 2026, an initiative by Cosmetica Italia in collaboration with Cosmoprof and Esxence, which concluded on September 20.

Lombardy represents 35.1 percent of national cosmetics companies

In a constantly evolving geopolitical landscape, which is changing the geography of exports, the sector maintains a solid development trajectory. In this context, Lombardy confirms its position as the main hub of the Italian cosmetics industry, accounting for 35.1 percent of the country's cosmetics companies, 51.1 percent of its employees and 63 percent of Italian turnover.

These are the key figures that illustrate the strength of the Italian cosmetics industry and its contribution to the country's growth. The sector continues to stand out for its industrial capacity, propensity for innovation and international focus, with Lombardy as its main production and strategic hub.

The data was presented today at Assolombarda during the event “Beauty that creates value. The numbers of Italian cosmetics and the strategic role of Lombardy in the beauty economy”, the inaugural conference of Milan Beauty Week 2026, an initiative by Cosmetica Italia in collaboration with Cosmoprof and Esxence.

“The Italian cosmetics industry is confirmed as a strategic sector for the country's growth. Over the last ten years, it has recorded growth rates more than six times higher than the GDP and Italian manufacturing, demonstrating a unique ability to create value, innovation and skilled employment. Today, the sector is entering a new phase: growth continues, but the complex international context is shifting the competition between global cosmetic systems, not just between companies,” commented Benedetto Lavino, president of Cosmetica Italia.

“Cosmetics is much more than a sector linked to beauty: it is an industry that creates value, innovation and jobs, and represents one of the strongest expressions of Made in Italy in the world. The Assolombarda Quadrilateral, Milan, Monza and Brianza, Lodi and Pavia, is the heart of this system, concentrating 434 companies, 39,000 employees and a turnover of 8.7 billion euros,” commented Alvise Biffi, president of Assolombarda. “These numbers tell the story of the strength of an ecosystem made up of companies, skills, research, universities and production capacity, as well as a strong international focus. We must continue to strengthen this combination of territorial roots and openness to global markets by investing in innovation, research, skills and new opportunities for international development. The Beauty Week is an important event for Milan, and beyond.”

Estimates from Cosmetica Italia were presented at the inaugural conference of Milan Beauty Week. They indicate a turnover for the cosmetics industry in Italy of 18.1 billion euros in 2026, an increase of 1 percent compared to 2025. The expected consumer value for 2026 is 13.1 billion euros (+2.3 percent), driven in particular by e-commerce (+9 percent), pharmacies (+3.5 percent) and perfumeries (+2.0 percent). This is a sign that cosmetics remain an essential good, with dynamics similar to those of health products.

Exports continue to drive the sector's growth, but the geography is changing. Exports are estimated at 8.6 billion euros (+0.5 percent). There has been a contraction in some strategic markets such as the US and the United Arab Emirates due to current geopolitical situations. This is offset by growth in Europe, the Asian region (driven by China, Hong Kong, South Korea) and India.

The “Cosmetics in Lombardy” research, conducted by Assolombarda and Cosmetica Italia, confirms Lombardy as the main hub of the Italian cosmetics industry. In 2025, the region had 648 companies, 53,500 employees and a turnover of 11.3 billion euros, an increase of 2.7 percent on the previous year.

The region thus represents 35.1 percent of Italian cosmetics companies, 51.1 percent of employees and 63 percent of the national turnover. Within Lombardy, the Assolombarda Quadrilateral of Milan, Monza and Brianza, Lodi and Pavia, concentrates a particularly significant part of the regional cosmetics industry. It has 434 companies, 39,000 employees and a turnover of 8.7 billion euros, accounting for over 70 percent of the Lombardy sector and 48.2 percent of the Italian cosmetics turnover. Strong integration with international markets is another distinctive feature. 53 percent of the turnover of Lombardy's cosmetics companies is generated in foreign markets and in 2025, Lombardy also generated 6 billion euros in cosmetics exports, about 70 percent of the sector's Italian exports.