Growing demand for clinical skincare reshaping Kenyan market

Acne is one of the most prevalent skin conditions in Kenya. In rural western Kenya for instance, it affects an estimated 11.2 percent of populations based on a 2016 cross-sectional survey by the International Journal of Dermatology.

Surging to between 28 and 38 percent among urban adolescents, this is attributed to factors such as pollution, high-glycemic diets, and intense equatorial UV exposure that exacerbate breakouts and post-inflammatory scarring.

Dr. Roop Saini, an internationally recognised board-certified Consultant Dermatologist and Kenya Association of Dermatologists (KAD) Committee member notes that there is a presently growing need for dermatology-led skincare solutions in East Africa.

“East Africa’s equatorial challenges demand barrier-focused active ingredients like thermal water and azelaic acid, proving more effective than standard products in humid weather. These ingredients restore the skin’s microbiome and inhibit melanin production without irritation, offering sustainable relief from acne flares, eczema itch, and stubborn acne hyperpigmentation marks,” she said.

Globally, acne impacts 9.4% of the world’s population, peaking at about 85 percent in young adults aged 12 to 25 years, this according to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. However, Kenya’s tropical climate and urban stressors amplify local rates, driving 10 to 30% of national outpatient skin consultations, as captured in the National Institutes of Health 2025 report.

According to a 2024 study conducted at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital's dermatology clinic involving 1,183 patients, eczema was the most common skin condition diagnosed, with a prevalence of 25.5 percent.

Majority of the patients favored the use of non-conventional products such as bar soap and milking jelly as routine skincare products.

The study also showed that hyperpigmentation affects up to 30 to 40 percent of clinical acne cases on account of post-inflammatory marks, intense Ultra Violet light and scarring effects.

The Kenya skin care market consists mainly of face creams, moisturizers, sunscreens, facial masks/packs/washes, body lotions and oils, lip balms and scrubs; anti-aging creams and serums; makeup removers; toners and cleansers among others.

For about seven years, 28-year-old Joyline Wairimu from Gatanga in Murang’a County has battled severe acne that scarred her skin and fueled deep insecurities, leading to extreme discomfort especially in social settings. Despite regularly trying on-the-shelf products ranging from supermarket moisturizers to bleaching creams, her breakouts worsened under Kenya's humid equatorial sun, leaving post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

“I’m often asked why my face has so many dark spots. It’s a question that can be unsettling and has, at times, shaken my confidence. For a long time, I struggled to manage it, until I finally found products in the market that helped ease the problem,” says Joyline.

Her experience mirrors that of countless Kenyan youth, for whom acne remains a leading skin concern, accounting for an estimated 11 to 38 per cent of dermatology clinic visits nationwide.

These three conditions not only burden youth psychologically but their prevalence has seen a rise in demand for dermo-cosmetics (specialized cosmetic formulations designed for specific skin conditions), with Kenya now seen as a key market for clinical skincare solutions.

“As Kenya leads East Africa’s skincare revolution, we are seeing evidence-based treatments transform lives and empower a confident generation making the future bright for skin and economy alike,” Echoed Dr. Karimi Murage, Marketing Manager for Consumer Health at Groupe Ethica.

Groupe Ethica, is the exclusive African partner of Pierre Fabre, one of the world’s leading dermo-cosmetic and pharmaceutical groups that that announced entry into the East African Market in November with their brands Avène and Ducray.

Poised to reach an estimated value of USD 125 million by 2026 the skin care market in Kenya is further projected to grow at a high growth rate of 11 percent by 2027.

This growth can be attributed to increasing disposable income levels, rising consumer awareness, improved specialist access and the availability of a wider range of products at affordable prices, alongside favorable government policies.

With its strategic location, a burgeoning middle-class and a growing dermatological healthcare sector, the prognosis for the Kenyan skincare market remains highly positive.

The country’s dermo-cosmetics sector is expected to continue its double-digit growth, driven by greater access to dermatological care, increased consumer education, and the emergence other local and international players.