Over the past five years, Zimbabwe has spent more than US$140 million importing personal care, beauty, and cosmetic products.
Data covering 2021 to 2025 shows that beauty and personal care products make up a significant part of the country’s import bill.
The biggest share came from makeup and skincare products, which cost the country US$43.6 million over the five years.
Other high-value imports included petroleum jelly (US$13.6 million) and dentifrices, toothpaste and related dental products, at around US$20 million.
Perfumes, deodorants, and antiperspirants cost US$16.4 million, while human hair and wigs added US$8.5 million. Eyebrows and eyelashes imports were valued at US$22 million.
Other personal care products included bath salts (US$3.2 million), sunscreen (US$1.9 million) and shower gels (US$1.9 million).
Smaller but notable imports were hair waving and straightening products (US$2.6 million), hairstyling and grooming products (US$2 million), cosmetic powders (US$888,268), and shampoo (US$833,614).
Even products with relatively modest values, such as lip makeup (US$330,205), eye makeup (US$164,160), manicure and pedicure sets (US$82,205) and dental floss (US$72,395), added up to place pressure on the country’s import bill.
In 2025 alone, Zimbabwe spent US$9.6 million on makeup, US$8.2 million on hair extensions, weaves, and false eyelashes, and US$2.9 million on perfumes.
The total import bill for cosmetics, wigs, toiletries, and grooming products reached nearly US$29.9 million last year.
Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said the Government is concerned about the ongoing drain on foreign currency caused by importing what it calls “vanity products.” He said:
“It is not just the non-essentials that worry us. We are also worried about the essentials that we have the capacity to produce locally.
“We are most likely going to table our Industrial Policy this coming Tuesday for approval by Cabinet, which will go a long way in addressing these issues.”
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