Market Trends of Hand Care Industry
Growing demand for sanitizers and disinfectants
- The growing awareness of consumers regarding the need for sanitizer and its advanced effectiveness compared to normal soaps is driving market sales. Also, initiatives taken by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make people aware of hand hygiene and harmful diseases associated with it, paired with product innovations by the key players such as the addition of organic ingredients and soothing fragrances are boosting the market growth.
- For instance, Purell, a GOJO Industries, Inc brand, launched a green hand sanitizer made with plant-based ethanol and sold in a recyclable PET plastic container. Amway India launched a liquid hand wash - Persona Germ Protection and Moisturizing, free from widely used preservatives such as sulfate, paraben, and triclosan.
- Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic positively affected hand sanitizer sales worldwide. Anti-infection skincare products have increased demand as people's top concerns shifted to health and hygiene. To stop the infection from spreading, the WHO advised using hand sanitizers in addition to routine hand washing. Thus, these initiatives increased market demand.
- Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the necessity of hand hygiene and how it relates to their overall hygiene and health. Hand sanitizer use is necessary to stop the spread of infectious diseases, which is anticipated to promote market expansion. In addition, hand sanitizers' portability and convenience over hand washes and their success in preventing a variety of diseases attract a sizable consumer base and boost hand sanitizer sales.
Asia-Pacific to Witness Fastest Growth in the Market
- Asia-Pacific is witnessing significant growth in the market owing to the increased awareness training and campaigns spread by government organizations in schools and hospitals. For instance, hospitals such as Matilda International Hospital (MIH), Shiraz Nemazee Hospital, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, and Nakornping hospital, to name a few, have been participating in the promotion of hand hygiene through educational programs to ensure compliance on the part of healthcare providers.
- Also, in India, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), in collaboration with Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Campaign, encouraged every citizen to wash their hands regularly before eating, cooking, and after using the toilet. Therefore, companies are launching innovative natural products. For instance, in March 2021, The AVA Group's flagship brand, Medimix, announced the release of a new line of hand sanitizer gel that is 100% natural and contains natural components like aloe vera and Tulsi, in addition to having antibacterial characteristics.
- The Asia-Pacific region has been identified as a hotspot for emerging infectious diseases, including the Nipah virus, novel cholera, and dengue fever. Biodiversity loss is considered to be a significant factor contributing to the emergence and spread of these diseases.
- Biodiversity loss can lead to the fragmentation and degradation of natural habitats, which forces wildlife to come into closer contact with people and their domestic animals. This increased proximity can facilitate the transmission of zoonotic diseases from animals to humans. Additionally, biodiversity loss can alter ecosystems, creating conditions that favor the proliferation of disease vectors like mosquitoes, which can spread diseases like dengue fever.
- Therefore, addressing biodiversity loss and protecting natural ecosystems is crucial to reducing the risk of emerging infectious diseases. Conservation efforts can help to maintain healthy ecosystems and reduce the frequency and severity of zoonotic disease outbreaks. Improved public health measures, such as disease surveillance and control, can also help to prevent and mitigate the impact of emerging infectious diseases.
- Thus, people have become more aware due to the rising occurrences and concerns about the spread of various diseases. This has resulted in implementing preventive measures like hand sanitizing, hand washing, and using various hand care products. Furthermore, due to the rising health consciousness among the people and the outbreak of numerous diseases, China is one of the largest hand sanitizer markets in Asia. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has advised using hand sanitizer to prevent getting sick. All the above-mentioned factors drive the hand care market in this region.