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Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing in the US - Market Research Report (2016-2031)

Jullian Guirguis Jullian Guirguis New York, United States Last Updated: January 2026 NAICS OD4252

Revenue

$410.1m

2026

$410.1m

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XX.Xm

Employees

885

Businesses

16

Wages

$XX.Xm

Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing in the US industry analysis

Industry growth and profitability are driven by shifts in personal care routines among US consumers, as well as healthcare sector protocols and procurement practices within the medical distribution sector. Heightened demand in hospitals and outpatient settings for both sterile and nonsterile surgical cotton has historically stabilized base volumes, while beauty and wellness trends expand retail categories such as cotton swabs, facial wipes and cotton balls. Labor costs, environmental regulations on disposable goods and broadening calls for sustainability in consumer goods have reset operational parameters. Ongoing automation adoption and material innovation in absorbency and biodegradability have emerged as inflection points, altering production efficiency and influencing competitive differentiation.

Trends and Insights

  • Millennials and Gen Z's heightened expenditure on beauty products boosts cotton personal care items. As these generations view makeup and beauty products as critical, they're driving demand and reinforcing innovation in multi-use, durable cotton products.
  • Facial wipes and pads account for the largest product share, reflecting a heightened consumer preference for specialized cotton items that promise gentle yet effective makeup removal. This shift highlights an industry-wide focus on differentiation through product functionality, rather than relying on generic cotton goods.
  • Manufacturing concentration in the Great Lakes region underpins efficient access to domestic cotton supply routes and key distribution corridors. This geographical advantage ensures operational reliability and helps mitigate the risk of transit disruption for major producers.
  • Large wholesalers and retail chains exert significant purchasing leverage, imposing strict product specifications and encouraging aggressive price competition. This power dynamic restricts manufacturers’ flexibility in product development and limits differentiation opportunities.
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 5.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $410.1m in 2026.

Trends and Insights

Cotton’s stagnant global demand and rising synthetic competition alter fiber economics for hygiene

  • According to the US Department of Agriculture’s November 2024 Cotton: World Markets and Trade report, global cotton consumption in the 2024/25 marketing year is forecast at 115.2 million bales, which is over 9 million bales below the record reached four years earlier. Meanwhile, synthetic fiber output reached approximately 84 million tons in 2023. This confirms that cotton is steadily losing share to man‑made fibers in overall fiber use.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing in the US
Revenue (2016-2031)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2026-2031)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Federal wipes labeling and plastic scrutiny position cotton‑rich substrates as strategic winners

  • A US House bill, known as the WIPPES Act, passed with strong bipartisan support in 2024 and again in June 2025 and was reintroduced in the Senate in March 2025. The bill aims to standardize “Do Not Flush” labels on non-flushable wipes nationwide, according to congressional records and INDA updates. State comments to EPA in January 2024 also urged caution on plastic‑containing wipes.

Biggest companies in the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2026
Revenue ($m)
2026
Profit ($m)
2026
Profit Margin (%)
2026
Elida Beauty
71.5
4.2
5.9

To view the market share and analysis for all 1 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Cotton swabs, Facial wipes and pads and Cotton balls. Cotton swabs is the largest segment of the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing in the US.

Trends and Insights

Facial wipes and pads benefit from cosmetic segment partnerships and expanded product functionality

  • Facial wipes and pads are designed for makeup removal, skin cleansing and toner application, targeting both mass market consumers and professional spa channels. These products have steadily increased their revenue share based on rising demand for convenience-focused personal care solutions. Branded collaborations with cosmetic producers and the introduction of dual-action or infused wipes (e.g., incorporating aloe, micellar water or exfoliants) have elevated market positioning over generic offerings.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry comprises operators that manufacture personal-care and beauty products primarily made of cotton. Products include but are not limited to cotton swabs, cotton balls and facial wipes. This industry also includes surgical cotton products both sterile and nonsterile.

What's included in this industry?

Products and services covered in the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States include Cotton swabs , Facial wipes and pads, Cotton balls and Other cotton products.

Companies

Companies covered in the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States include Elida Beauty.

Purchase this report to view all 1 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

Related terms covered in the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States include cotton swab, rayon and organic.

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 339113 - Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Millennials and Gen Z's heightened expenditure on beauty products boosts cotton personal care items. As these generations view makeup and beauty products as critical, they're...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
  • Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
  • Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
  • Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Facial wipes and pads account for the largest product share, reflecting a heightened consumer preference for specialized cotton items that promise gentle yet effective makeup ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets
  • International Trade

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2026
  • Product innovation level
  • Total imports, level and trend
  • Total exports, level and trend
  • Trade Balance

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2026
  • Major market segmentation in 2026
  • International trade, including imports by country and exports by country

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
  • Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Manufacturing concentration in the Great Lakes region underpins efficient access to domestic cotton supply routes and key distribution corridors. This geographical advantage ...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2026

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2026
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2026
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2026
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2026

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Large wholesalers and retail chains exert significant purchasing leverage, imposing strict product specifications and encouraging aggressive price competition. This power dyn...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2021-2026
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Frequent entries and exits among manufacturers characterize a dynamic business environment, intensifying competition for supply contracts. Ongoing recalibration of sourcing, ...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
  • Overview of Elida Beauty's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Elida Beauty, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

US Food and Drug Administration oversight for medical-grade cotton, including sterile surgical items, mandates strict quality control and labeling compliance. These requireme...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2016-2031) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Raw cotton and packaging materials consistently represent the largest cost burden for manufacturers. A heavy dependence on these components heightens exposure to commodity pr...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2019-2024)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2019-2024)
  • Income Statement (2019-2024)
  • Balance Sheet (2019-2024)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2019-2024)
  • Coverage Ratios (2019-2024)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2019-2024)
  • Operating Ratios (2019-2024)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
  • Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
  • Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
  • Average Wage (2016-2031)
  • Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
  • IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
  • Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
  • Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2016-2031)
  • IVA (2016-2031)
  • Establishments (2016-2031)
  • Enterprises (2016-2031)
  • Employment (2016-2031)
  • Exports (2016-2031)
  • Imports (2016-2031)
  • Wages (2016-2031)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States in 2026?

The market size of the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States is $410.1m in 2026.

How many businesses are there in the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States in 2026?

There are 16 businesses in the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 3.4 % between 2021 and 2026.

How may import tariffs affect the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States?

The Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States is likely to be impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.

How may export tariffs affect the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States?

The Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States is likely to be impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.

Has the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States has been declining at a CAGR of 5.8 % between 2021 and 2026.

What is the forecast growth of the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States?

The biggest company operating in the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States is Elida Beauty

What does the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States include?

Cotton swabs and Facial wipes and pads are part of the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States?

The company holding the most market share in the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States is Elida Beauty.

How competitive is the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing industry in the United States.

Methodology

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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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