According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for cosmetics, perfume, bath, nail preparations and implements are 64.30% higher in 2026 versus 1988 (a $12.86 difference in value).
Between 1988 and 2026, Cosmetics experienced an average inflation rate of 1.32% per year. In other words, cosmetics costing $20 in the year 1988 would cost $32.86 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.76% during this same period, inflation for cosmetics was lower.
In the year 1988: Pricing changed by 3.38%, which is above the average yearly change for cosmetics during the 1988-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1988 (4.08%), inflation for cosmetics was lower.
The official rate is based on an average household's spending, so your own inflation rate is probably different. The personal inflation calculator works it out from your budget.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Cosmetics, over time, for $20 beginning in 1988. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | $20.00 | 3.38% |
| 1989 | $20.76 | 3.81% |
| 1990 | $21.71 | 4.59% |
| 1991 | $22.72 | 4.63% |
| 1992 | $23.04 | 1.40% |
| 1993 | $23.72 | 2.94% |
| 1994 | $24.40 | 2.89% |
| 1995 | $24.52 | 0.48% |
| 1996 | $25.02 | 2.05% |
| 1997 | $25.61 | 2.34% |
| 1998 | $26.89 | 5.00% |
| 1999 | $27.90 | 3.77% |
| 2000 | $28.16 | 0.90% |
| 2001 | $28.38 | 0.80% |
| 2002 | $28.22 | -0.56% |
| 2003 | $28.36 | 0.48% |
| 2004 | $28.62 | 0.90% |
| 2005 | $28.92 | 1.07% |
| 2006 | $29.23 | 1.06% |
| 2007 | $29.88 | 2.24% |
| 2008 | $30.05 | 0.59% |
| 2009 | $31.00 | 3.15% |
| 2010 | $30.75 | -0.80% |
| 2011 | $31.11 | 1.15% |
| 2012 | $31.52 | 1.31% |
| 2013 | $31.46 | -0.17% |
| 2014 | $31.95 | 1.55% |
| 2015 | $31.76 | -0.58% |
| 2016 | $31.88 | 0.36% |
| 2017 | $31.56 | -0.99% |
| 2018 | $31.45 | -0.34% |
| 2019 | $30.86 | -1.87% |
| 2020 | $30.30 | -1.84% |
| 2021 | $30.13 | -0.54% |
| 2022 | $30.80 | 2.21% |
| 2023 | $32.04 | 4.01% |
| 2024 | $32.12 | 0.25% |
| 2025 | $32.16 | 0.13% |
| 2026 | $32.86 | 2.18%* |
* 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 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 68.400 | 69.733 | 74.600 | 80.658 | 87.492 | 94.867 | 100.650 | 104.483 | 108.075 | 111.942 | 114.600 | 118.475 | 122.992 | 128.633 | 134.583 | 136.467 | 140.483 | 144.542 | 145.242 | 148.225 | 151.700 | 159.283 | 165.292 | 166.783 | 168.125 | 167.183 | 167.992 | 169.508 | 171.317 | 173.125 | 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 | 190.247 | 190.493 | 194.652 |