Our Economic & Social Impact


The cosmetics and personal care products industry is one of the most dynamic and innovative industries driving the U.S. economy. Communities across the country rely on the industry’s economic and social contributions to support jobs and spur economic growth. To better understand the value of these contributions, PCPC works with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to measure the economic and social impact of the personal care products industry, using the most recent government data available.

  • In 2022, the personal care products industry was responsible for 4.6 million direct and indirect jobs; $203.3 billion in labor income; $308.7 billion in our nation’s gross domestic product (GDP); and $82.3 billion in tax payments at the federal, state and local levels – emphasizing the economic impact of the beauty and personal care industry on the U.S. economy.
  • Our commitment to social well-being starts with our support for women and people of color, at work and in their personal lives, demonstrating the importance of supporting women in cosmetics and the industry’s broader efforts toward workforce diversity. Women make up 79.3% of our industry’s workforce and hold more than half of management positions – significantly more than in other industries – and people of color make up 33% of the workforce. While we are making progress, we know we have more to do. We don’t have all the solutions, but we are committed to helping build a more diverse industry.
  • Our industry plays an important role on the global stage. Between 1990 and 2022, the personal care products industry generated a trade surplus every year, reaching $2.6 billion in 2022 and underscoring the industry’s global economic significance and its contributions to the U.S. economy.
  • We support a wide range of corporate social responsibility programs, issues and causes that make our communities better places to live. For every $1 million in revenue, personal care product manufacturers made charitable contributions of approximately $1,500 – ranking third in charitable contributions among all major industry sectors. Beauty and personal care products companies are also generous with their human resources, donating thousands of employee volunteer hours each year, reflecting the industry’s commitment to sustainability in cosmetics and its role in promoting economic growth through corporate social responsibility initiatives.
  • We employ more than 5,700 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals at personal care products manufacturers, all dedicated to ensuring product and ingredient safety. This focus on innovation in personal care and STEM professions in cosmetics highlights the industry’s role in advancing both economic and social impact.