According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for cosmetics, perfume, bath, nail preparations and implements are 173.22% higher in 2024 versus 1978 (a $34.64 difference in value).
Between 1978 and 2024: Cosmetics experienced an average inflation rate of 2.21% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, cosmetics costing $20 in the year 1978 would cost $54.64 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.47% during this same period, inflation for cosmetics was lower.
In the year 1978: Pricing changed by 1.95%, which is below the average yearly change for cosmetics during the 1978-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1978 (7.63%), inflation for cosmetics was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Cosmetics, over time, for $20 beginning in 1978. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | $20.00 | 1.95% |
| 1979 | $21.40 | 6.98% |
| 1980 | $23.14 | 8.13% |
| 1981 | $25.09 | 8.47% |
| 1982 | $27.21 | 8.43% |
| 1983 | $28.87 | 6.09% |
| 1984 | $29.97 | 3.81% |
| 1985 | $31.00 | 3.44% |
| 1986 | $32.11 | 3.57% |
| 1987 | $32.87 | 2.38% |
| 1988 | $33.98 | 3.38% |
| 1989 | $35.28 | 3.81% |
| 1990 | $36.89 | 4.58% |
| 1991 | $38.60 | 4.63% |
| 1992 | $39.14 | 1.40% |
| 1993 | $40.29 | 2.94% |
| 1994 | $41.46 | 2.89% |
| 1995 | $41.66 | 0.48% |
| 1996 | $42.51 | 2.05% |
| 1997 | $43.51 | 2.35% |
| 1998 | $45.69 | 5.00% |
| 1999 | $47.41 | 3.77% |
| 2000 | $47.84 | 0.90% |
| 2001 | $48.22 | 0.80% |
| 2002 | $47.95 | -0.56% |
| 2003 | $48.18 | 0.48% |
| 2004 | $48.62 | 0.90% |
| 2005 | $49.14 | 1.07% |
| 2006 | $49.65 | 1.06% |
| 2007 | $50.77 | 2.24% |
| 2008 | $51.06 | 0.59% |
| 2009 | $52.67 | 3.15% |
| 2010 | $52.25 | -0.80% |
| 2011 | $52.85 | 1.15% |
| 2012 | $53.55 | 1.31% |
| 2013 | $53.45 | -0.17% |
| 2014 | $54.28 | 1.55% |
| 2015 | $53.97 | -0.58% |
| 2016 | $54.16 | 0.36% |
| 2017 | $53.62 | -0.99% |
| 2018 | $53.44 | -0.34% |
| 2019 | $52.44 | -1.87% |
| 2020 | $51.47 | -1.84% |
| 2021 | $51.20 | -0.54% |
| 2022 | $52.33 | 2.21% |
| 2023 | $54.43 | 4.01% |
| 2024 | $54.64 | 0.39%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Cosmetics, perfume, bath, nail preparations and implements:
| Year | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| CPI | 68.400 | 69.731 | 74.600 | 80.662 | 87.492 | 94.869 | 100.646 | 104.485 | 108.077 | 111.938 | 114.600 | 118.477 | 122.992 | 128.631 | 134.585 | 136.469 | 140.485 | 144.538 | 145.238 | 148.223 | 151.700 | 159.285 | 165.292 | 166.785 | 168.123 | 167.185 | 167.992 | 169.508 | 171.315 | 173.123 | 177.001 | 178.037 | 183.638 | 182.171 | 184.268 | 186.689 | 186.364 | 189.252 | 188.160 | 188.828 | 186.960 | 186.320 | 182.827 | 179.464 | 178.504 | 182.450 | 189.773 | 190.516 |