Unveiling the Convergence of Beauty, Health, and Wellness: A Comprehensive Consumer Study
A groundbreaking industry report by global consulting firm AlixPartners and CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) discloses a significant transformation in American consumer spending habits within the beauty, health, and wellness (BHW) sectors. The study also reveals a notable disparity between consumer expectations and the offerings of industry executives.
The report, “The Extract: Beauty × Health × Wellness 2026,” conducted a survey involving 1,000 consumers and 127 BHW executives between May and June 2026. The findings indicate that almost all consumers now consider beauty, health, and wellness as a single, consolidated budget category, rather than three distinct ones. A significant 63% of respondents prioritized health and wellness over travel, fashion, and entertainment in their discretionary spending.
Furthermore, the report sheds light on the burgeoning growth in the medspa sector, with nearly 13,000 medspas currently operational across the U.S., equating to the number of McDonald’s outlets. Interestingly, Gen Z and Millennial men have surfaced as the top-spending demographic in the BHW arena, a trend largely overlooked by many brands. In terms of trusted referral channels, influencers ranked last, while physicians were second only to friends and family. Lindy Firstenberg, Co-Leader at AlixPartners, asserts that “the average executive has yet to catch up” with the swiftly evolving consumer landscape.
Source: GlobeNewswire