The 21st century saw the development of large cosmetic companies and the value of the industry is growing to billions of dollars. The manufacture of cosmetics is currently dominated by a small number of multinational corporations that originated in the early 20th century, but the distribution and sale of cosmetics is spread among a wide range of different businesses. Cosmetics like any other designer product are now sold on brand image with consumers paying not only for the product but also for the brand. Western brands like Revlon, Elizabeth Arden and Asian ones like Biotherm, Amorepacific, Shahnaz, Lotus and Biotique are a few of the leading brands.

The market volume of the cosmetics industry in the United States, Europe and Japan is about € 70 billion per year. The cosmetic industry in Germany generated sales of € 12.6 billion at retail sales in 2008. The German cosmetic industry is the third in the world, after Japan_and the United States. In Germany, this industry has grown nearly 5% in one year, from 2007 to 2008. Its exports reached € 5.8 billion in 2008, whereas the imports of cosmetics totaled € 3 billion.

The worldwide cosmetics and perfume industry currently generates an estimated annual turnover of US$ 170 billion (according to Eurostaf, May 2007). Products that claim to renew cells, minimize pores and restore hydration have created an US $83 billion worldwide market.

Europe is the leading market, representing approximately € 63 billion, while sales in France reached €6.5 billion in 2006, according to FIPAR (Fédération des Industries de la Parfumerie, the French federation for the perfume industry). France is another country in which the cosmetic industry plays an important role, both nationally and internationally. According to data from 2008, the cosmetic industry has risen constantly in France for 40 consecutive years. In 2006, this industrial sector reached a record level of € 6.5 billion. Famous cosmetic brands of France include Vichy, Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Rocher and many others.

In the European cosmetic market, the Italian cosmetic industry has an important share with an overall contribution of € 9 billion in 2007. Unlike the predominantly make-up and facial care products of the US market, the Italian cosmetic market as in other European countries is significantly represented by hair and body care products.

With the entry of internet companies, several cosmetic manufacturers are now able to sell their products online, even in countries where they lack a physical marketing presence. This has largely aided in the rapid expansion of the cosmetic market worldwide. The global resurgence of interest in plant-derived drugs and other products and disillusionment with harsh synthetic chemicals in cosmetics have shifted the consumer market towards herbal cosmetics. Cosmetics containing herbal ingredients and/or natural products are now in popular demand. The beauty business is overwhelmingly taken over by the herbal cosmetics industry as organic and Ayurvedic recipes gain precedence over chemical concoctions. Many cosmetics of today originated in Asian countries, especially the herbal-based cosmetics and today India is a leading presence in the cosmetic business.