TAlthough women still dominate beauty sales, men’s grooming is forecast to reach USD 115 billion by 2028, and gender-neutral SKUs are now growing 2.3 × faster than legacy lines. Consequently, every forward-thinking OEM cosmetic suppliers has a fresh chance to diversify revenue and lock in long-term B2B contracts.
1. Market Pulse
First, search queries such as “men’s face wash” and “unisex moisturizer” have jumped 40 % YoY, proving real intent rather than hype. Moreover, 51 % of Gen Z buyers say gender-free branding directly influences purchase, while retailer planograms are carving out shelf space for inclusive assortments.
2. Formulation Innovations
Because most men prefer light textures, start with fast-absorbing gel creams that feature niacinamide, panthenol, and microbiome-friendly prebiotics. Meanwhile, remove heavy parfum loads and opt for low-allergen fragrances that test well across genders. Therefore, a single base formula can serve three audience segments—male, female, and non-binary—without extra R&D spend.
3. Packaging & User Experience
Furthermore, neutral hues such as slate or sage outperform gendered pink-blue codes in A/B shelf tests. As a result, mono-material HDPE tubes not only meet curb-side recycling mandates but also streamline your client’s LCA reporting. Additionally, oversized, tactile caps improve usability for larger hands while preserving an elegant silhouette for broader appeal.
4. Compliance & Speed to Market
However, inclusive beauty must still clear global regs. Pre-validate INCI decks against EU Annex II, ASEAN, and FDA OTC monographs to slash approval timelines. Consequently, turnkey CPSR, stability, and HRIPT reports can trim launch windows from 12 months to 6 months, giving indie brands a true first-mover edge.
5. Action Checklist for OEM Cosmetic Suppliers
• Build a five-piece “Gender-Neutral Hero Kit” ready for private label.
• Publish thought-leadership blogs that target the “men’s grooming” keyword cluster.
• Offer MOQ tiers (1 000 / 5 000 / 10 000) so startups can test formats risk-free.
• Integrate Shopify and Amazon APIs to enable drop-ship replenishment.
In short, by merging inclusive R&D, eco-smart packaging, and compliance-as-a-service, an OEM cosmetic supplier can turn the men’s grooming and gender-neutral wave into a durable growth engine—one that accelerates launches, lifts margins, and resonates with today’s pluralistic consumer.
