Cosmetic Biosurfactant Market Size (2025 – 2030)

The Cosmetic Biosurfactant Market was valued at USD 2.1 billion in 2024. Over the forecast period of 2025-2030, it is projected to reach USD 2.91 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.59%.

Biosurfactants are naturally occurring surfactants synthesized by microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. These substances offer several benefits compared to synthetic alternatives, such as reduced toxicity, enhanced biodegradability, and greater environmental compatibility. In the coming years, the global biosurfactant market is anticipated to see considerable growth, fueled by increasing demand from end-user industries and growing awareness of the advantages of using natural surfactants.

Key Market Insights:

• Cosmetic and personal care products are typically designed to nourish and protect the skin, its natural flora, and related cells. These products aim to enhance the skin's barrier function, prevent the growth of harmful pathogens, and provide cleansing and moisturizing benefits, all of which contribute to the overall health and well-being of the skin.

• The market for biosurfactants is experiencing consistent expansion, driven by the rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products in diverse sectors, including food, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.

Crude oil recovery activities are expected to impact cosmetic biosurfactant market growth.

Petroleum remains a critical energy source and an essential raw material for chemical production, playing a pivotal role in the economic growth and industrial advancement of the modern world over recent decades. Fuel biotechnology has made significant strides in response to the growing global demand for sustainable technologies that improve the efficiency of petrochemical processes in the oil industry.

In various petroleum sectors, synthetic surfactants are widely used as activators to enhance the recovery and accessibility of petroleum products, as well as to facilitate a range of operations, including removal, cleaning, treatment, and transportation. In conventional oil production, primary recovery is followed by secondary, and in some cases, tertiary recovery stages.

Biosurfactants produced by microorganisms are gaining traction in industrial applications due to their biodegradability, ability to be synthesized from renewable resources, and effectiveness in harsh conditions commonly encountered in tertiary oil recovery. Unlike traditional physical and chemical recovery methods, MEOR offers a more sustainable and economical solution. It leverages microorganisms or their metabolic by-products to improve reservoir conditions, facilitating the extraction of trapped oil.

Cosmetic Biosurfactant Market Restraints and Challenges:

Disruptions in the production of biosurfactants are expected to hinder market growth.

A significant challenge for biosurfactant producers is the limited range of properties offered by bio-based surfactants, which restricts their broader application. Surfactants are often integral to product formulations, where even minor changes in one ingredient can affect the overall performance of the product. Additionally, many consumers may not fully understand what bio-based surfactants are or how they are used, which presents an obstacle to their adoption. Since direct one-to-one replacements for conventional surfactants are rare, new product formulations typically need to be developed, requiring additional time and investment. As a result, brand manufacturers must recognize that bio-based surfactants offer distinct value that can be demonstrated to consumers.

Many industries remain confident that their products will not require reformulation, leading to a reliance on technological advancements to drive progress. Consequently, brand owners closely monitor developments from technology providers before committing to product changes. There is also the risk that customers may be hesitant to engage with a single biosurfactant supplier due to concerns over supply continuity. This potential shortage of biosurfactant producers could inhibit future market growth. Furthermore, the time-consuming and costly EU regulations for registering new products after development add an additional layer of complexity to market entry.

Biosurfactants like sophorolipids, rhamnolipids, and microbial exopolysaccharides (MELs) show potential as partial substitutes for common surfactants such as linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LASs) in applications like laundry detergents and cleaning solutions. However, one of the major challenges in utilizing these alternatives is that each microorganism typically produces a mixture of congener molecules with varying structures and properties. This variability complicates downstream processing, making it costly and difficult to scale up production. Additionally, in the U.K., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a key producer of rhamnolipids, is classified as a class II pathogen, adding regulatory hurdles to its use. The economic constraints related to lecithin recovery, particularly from soy oil production, further exacerbate these challenges. Together, these factors are expected to limit the growth potential of the biosurfactants market.

Cosmetic Biosurfactant Market Opportunities:

Rising environmental concerns are anticipated to create significant opportunities for growth in the biosurfactant market.

Surface-active agents, or surfactants, are widely used in various applications, and their consumption increases in parallel with global population growth and industrial activities. The most common use of surfactants is in detergents, including products like toothpaste and shampoos, as well as in applications such as degreasing, agriculture, and oil extraction. Surfactants form a broad class of chemicals found in many cleansing and detergent products. After use, a significant portion of these surfactants is discharged into sewer systems or directly into water bodies, where they accumulate in soil, sediment, and water. The presence of surfactants in rivers, wastewater treatment plants, and oceans poses serious environmental challenges, as more than 15 million tons of surfactants are used annually. The environmental impact of these substances is a growing social concern, highlighting the need for more sustainable alternatives.

COSMETIC BIOSURFACTANT MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Cosmetic Biosurfactant Market Segmentation: By Product Type

• Glycolipids

• Phospholipids

• Surfactin

• Lichenysin

• Polymeric Biosurfactants

• Other Product Types

Glycolipids are fascinating compounds, forming a unique class of biosurfactants that consist of both carbohydrate and lipid components. These naturally occurring compounds are produced by microorganisms and are known for their ability to reduce surface tension, which makes them valuable in a range of applications, particularly in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The growing demand for rhamnolipids, a type of glycolipid, is particularly notable in the cosmetic and personal care sectors.

Lipopeptides are a class of biosurfactants that consist of both lipid and peptide components, and are produced by a variety of microorganisms. These biosurfactants are gaining attention due to their unique properties, such as biodegradability, low toxicity, and antimicrobial activity, making them valuable in a wide range of applications, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Their potential for environmental remediation is also driving increased interest and demand, further contributing to the growth of this segment.These biosurfactants possess unique properties, such as biodegradability, low toxicity, and antimicrobial activity, which make them highly effective in diverse applications, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Additionally, several studies have highlighted their potential for environmental remediation, as they can help degrade pollutants. Given their promising characteristics, lipopeptides are increasingly seen as a sustainable and effective alternative to conventional surfactants.

Cosmetic Biosurfactant Market Segmentation: By Application

• Cosmetic

• Personal Skincare

Cosmetic and personal care products are typically designed to nourish and protect the skin, its natural flora, and associated cells. In addition to enhancing the skin's barrier function, these products help inhibit pathogen growth, cleanse, and moisturize the skin, all of which contribute to overall skin health. Biosurfactants—surfactants derived from biological sources—have shown considerable promise due to their lower toxicity, skin compatibility, and ability to protect and moisturize the skin, making them ideal ingredients for effective skincare formulations. The moisturizing and low-toxicity properties of glycolipid and lipopeptide biosurfactants position them as suitable alternatives to traditional chemical surfactants in current cosmetic, personal care, and pharmaceutical products. As biosurfactants gain popularity in personal care and hygiene products, their usage is expected to rise, contributing to growth in this segment. However, due to substantial consumer spending on hygiene products, the household cleaners segment is anticipated to experience the fastest growth in the coming years. The demand for effective, environmentally friendly cleaning solutions is likely to drive this rapid expansion.

Cosmetic Biosurfactant Market Segmentation- by Region

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• South America

• Middle East & Africa

North America is rapidly establishing itself as a key growth region in the bio-based surfactant market. This growth is primarily driven by changing consumer preferences, with an increasing awareness of the negative environmental impact caused by toxins released from the decomposition of chemical surfactants. As consumer spending on health and hygiene rises, demand for safer and more sustainable alternatives is expected to fuel market expansion. Additionally, the growing need for biosurfactants in the petroleum and oil industry, particularly for oil recovery applications, is likely to further boost growth in the region.

Asia Pacific constitutes a major market for biosurfactants, driven primarily by the growing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable products. Increased awareness of the harmful effects of traditional surfactants on both the environment and human health is driving the adoption of biosurfactants across the region.

The biosurfactant market in Latin America is projected to experience significant growth, fueled by the economic strength of key countries such as Mexico and Brazil. The abundance of agro-industrial feedstock in the region, which can be utilized as raw material for biosurfactant production, is expected to further stimulate market expansion throughout South America.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact Analysis

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented and overwhelming event, leading to a surge in demand for biosurfactants across all regions, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The increased focus on hygiene, sanitation, and the use of antimicrobial products during the pandemic significantly boosted the need for effective, eco-friendly surfactants, further accelerating market growth.

Latest Trends/ Developments:

In June 2022, Evonik Industries AG sponsored the construction of a commercial rhamnolipid production facility in Slovenská Ľupča, Slovakia. This new biosurfactant plant is part of the company's strategy to become a leader in the production of high-quality, sustainable biosurfactants.

In March 2022, BASF SE announced the development of Plantapon Soy, a bio-based anionic surfactant derived from soy protein. This innovative product offers numerous sustainability benefits, particularly for the personal care and cosmetics industries.

In January 2022, Evonik also unveiled plans for a new production plant dedicated to bio-based, fully biodegradable rhamnolipids. Scheduled to begin production within two years, this new facility is expected to strengthen Evonik's strategic partnership with Unilever, further enhancing their collaborative efforts in sustainable product development.

Key Players:

These are top 10 players in the Cosmetic Biosurfactant Market :-

1. Jeneil

2. AGAE Technologies

3. Evonik Industries

4. Tensiogreen

5. Glycosurf Holiferm

6. Stepan Company

7. Saraya Co. Ltd

8. TeeGene Biotech

9. Synthezyme LLC