What Brand Owners Need to Know About Selling Beauty Products on Amazon

Ken Zhou - Chief Operating Officer, My Amazon Guy

Share this article:

Selling Beauty Products on Amazon

Did you know that beauty products are one of Amazon’s fastest-growing categories? This is why thousands of beauty brands are actively selling skincare, haircare, and cosmetics on the platform.

There are many types of products you can sell on Amazon, but beauty remains one of the most popular categories. This is because beauty products are frequently purchased, highly searched, and trusted by shoppers when sold through Amazon.

As a result, many beauty brands are taking their products to Amazon. This is a good thing for shoppers since they get access to a wide range of beauty products using the platform, but what about for sellers? Is it still worth it for beauty brands to sell on Amazon?

In this blog, we discuss what brand owners need to know about selling beauty products on Amazon, including category policies, listing requirements, and effective sales strategies. We also cover practical tips, case study insights, and actionable steps to help beauty brands get more sales on the platform.

Table of Contents

Scale Your Amazon Beauty Brand Faster

From PPC campaigns to influencer partnerships, our full-service approach helps beauty brands grow efficiently and profitably.

Why Selling Beauty Products on Amazon Is a Smart Move for Brand Owners

Many online shoppers view Amazon as a one-stop shop where they can buy a wide range of products that meet their beauty needs, which is why it gets about 2 billion visits per month. As such, Amazon is a great platform for any brand, and especially for beauty brands that want to reach a massive, ready-to-buy audience.

Beauty brands do well on Amazon because of the platform’s convenience, search visibility, and data-driven advertising tools. What’s more, brands benefit from the trust that shoppers place in Amazon since customers feel confident buying products from a platform they know and rely on.

Additionally, Amazon makes it easier for brands to scale quickly without needing their own e-commerce infrastructure. With this, it doesn’t come as a surprise that more than 100,000 beauty brands are actively selling their products on Amazon.

How to Sell Beauty Products on Amazon

Selling beauty products on Amazon requires a different kind of strategy compared to other products since it involves strict category policies, high competition, and shopper trust considerations. Learning how to follow the rules, optimize your listings, and reach your target audience is essential to grow your beauty brand on the platform successfully.

What Are the Amazon Beauty Product Category Policies Sellers Must Follow

There are policies that Amazon beauty sellers should follow since each product category usually has specific rules that ensure safety and compliance. By following these guidelines, sellers can avoid listing suspensions, protect their accounts, and sell confidently on the platform.

A. Packaging Requirements

Cosmetics must be sealed in the original manufacturer’s packaging and be new and unused. All products should display identifying codes such as lot numbers, matrix codes, or serial numbers.

B. Labeling and Product Detail Pages

Labels and listings must include the product name, purpose, net quantity, ingredient list, manufacturer or distributor information, and any necessary warnings, allergens, or contact details. All claims must be truthful and not misleading, and products cannot claim to treat, prevent, or cure diseases unless approved as both a cosmetic and a drug.

C. Ingredients and Product Safety

Products cannot contain prohibited ingredients, controlled substances, or unsafe chemicals like mercury or certain high-concentration acids. Cosmetic products must not be named in FDA recalls, safety alerts, or warning letters.

D. Jurisdictional Restrictions

Certain states have additional rules, such as limits on toxic chemicals, PFAS, or sunscreen ingredients. Sellers must comply with both federal and local regulations in the regions where products are sold.

E. FDA and MoCRA Compliance

Sellers must follow all FDA regulations for cosmetics, including proper ingredient disclosure, safety substantiation, and truthful claims. The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) requires manufacturers to register facilities, list products, maintain safety records, and report serious adverse events.

F. Prohibited Products and Claims

Amazon restricts products like chemical peels with unapproved claims, high-concentration acids, or certain cosmetic devices. Listings cannot use “FDA approved” if not true, nor state “not for resale” or “tester” on products intended for sale.

Protect Your Beauty Brand on Amazon

Avoid costly listing suspensions and unauthorized sellers by securing your brand with proven Amazon compliance strategies.

What Are Effective Strategies for Selling Beauty Products on Amazon

Although Amazon offers significant opportunities for beauty brands, it is a highly competitive marketplace, with many brands competing for customer attention. This is why sellers should learn proven strategies to improve visibility, attract shoppers, and increase sales on the platform.

1. Shift from TACOS to Lifetime Value (LTV)

In the beauty category, judging your advertising only by the first sale can be misleading. Customers often become repeat buyers once they find a product that works, creating long-term value beyond the initial purchase.

Calculating real margins means looking at repeat purchases and subscription metrics like Subscribe & Save. Even if the first sale barely breaks even, capturing a loyal customer can dramatically increase overall profitability and predictable revenue.

2. Prioritize A+ Content for Visual Storytelling

Beauty products are highly visual and emotional, so a single main image is rarely enough to convince shoppers. Using A+ Content allows sellers to showcase lifestyle imagery, product benefits, and the “feel” of the product in a way that builds trust.

Additionally, optimizing the Alt Text fields in A+ images can help Amazon index your product for relevant searches. This space is also ideal for addressing customer hesitations by explaining ingredients, skin-type compatibility, and expected results.

Selling Beauty Products on Amazon A images and Brand Story allow 100 alt text characters each
A+ Images and Brand Story Allow 100 Alt Text Characters Each

3. Lock in Customers with Subscribe & Save

Beauty buyers tend to reorder products they like, making subscription programs highly valuable. Enrolling eligible SKUs in Subscribe & Save ensures recurring revenue while increasing overall customer lifetime value.

This program not only boosts predictability but also allows brands to reinvest in customer acquisition with more confidence. When done correctly, it turns a one-time purchase into a reliable, long-term revenue stream.

4. Refine Your PPC Keyword Strategy

Many beauty sellers overspend on ads because their match types are inefficient. Prioritizing Exact match keywords for high-intent buyers and Broad match for discovery can capture both ready-to-buy customers and new prospects.

Using Negative Keywords in Broad campaigns helps prevent wasted spend on irrelevant clicks. Separating match types into dedicated campaigns gives sellers better control over bidding and data, allowing them to optimize performance efficiently.

5. Understand and Use Amazon’s A10 Algorithm to Your Advantage

Amazon’s A10 algorithm determines which products appear at the top of search results based on relevancy and performance. Optimizing your listings for A10 helps your beauty products get noticed by shoppers who are actively searching for them.

Focus on clear, keyword-rich product titles, high-quality images, and regularly updated backend search terms. Real-world examples show that refining titles and images based on customer feedback can lead to significant sales increases.

6. Use High-Quality Images

Images are critical for selling beauty products, as many shoppers decide based on visuals alone. High-resolution photos that show your products from multiple angles make listings more appealing and trustworthy.

Ensure your images are large enough to support the zoom function, which allows shoppers to inspect details closely. Clear visuals reduce hesitation, improve conversions, and help your products stand out from competitors.

Selling Beauty Products on Amazon Always have lifestyle images
Always Have Lifestyle Images

7. Build a Cohesive Brand Presence

Your brand is more than a logo; it’s the experience customers have with your products, packaging, and service. Maintaining a consistent brand voice across descriptions, Q&As, and customer interactions builds trust and recognition.

Enhanced Brand Content allows sellers to present text and images in a visually appealing way. Brands using this feature have seen measurable increases in consumer engagement and conversion rates.

8. Master the Art of Product Bundling

Bundling complementary products together can increase perceived value for shoppers. Instead of selling individual items, bundles give customers the sense that they are getting more for their money.

This strategy also boosts average order value, helping your business grow faster. Many beauty brands have reported significant sales gains after introducing bundles of related products.

Selling Beauty Products on Amazon Increase Perceived Value with Smart Bundling
Increase Perceived Value with Smart Bundling

Case Study: How a Skincare Brand Boosted Their Amazon Profitability

A skincare brand was struggling with stagnant growth, high ad costs, and inventory issues on Amazon. Flat sales, stockouts, and unoptimized ad spend were directly threatening an Amazon skincare brand’s profitability.

Our agency stepped in with a full-service approach, addressing catalog fragmentation, compliance gaps, and listing optimization. We implemented structured PPC campaigns, refined SEO for branded and strike-zone keywords, and leveraged influencer partnerships to drive external traffic and boost visibility.

The results were impressive: the brand saw a 145% increase in ad sales within a year while maintaining a profitable 7% TACOS. By combining compliance, optimization, and data-driven marketing strategies, the company turned untapped demand into consistent revenue growth and long-term customer loyalty.

FAQs About Selling Beauty Products on Amazon

What documents do I need to start selling beauty products on Amazon?

You need proof of business registration, product invoices, and compliance documentation showing your products meet FDA and Amazon regulations. Some categories may also require specific certificates or lab testing results, depending on the ingredients.

How can I ensure my beauty products comply with Amazon’s policies?

Follow Amazon’s Compliance Checklist for cosmetics, including packaging, labeling, ingredient disclosure, and claims. Regularly review updates to federal and state regulations like MoCRA and local chemical restrictions.

How do I increase sales for my beauty products on Amazon?

Optimize your listings with high-quality images, A+ Content, and targeted keywords while running structured PPC campaigns. Consider strategies like product bundling, Subscribe & Save, and influencer partnerships to boost visibility and conversions.

Unlocking Success in Selling Beauty Products on Amazon

Beauty products are one of the top-performing categories on Amazon, which is why many brands decide to expand their reach on the platform. But without a proper strategy, even strong products can struggle to gain traction and sales.

Success on Amazon requires attention to listing optimization, high-quality visuals, effective advertising, and regulatory compliance. Implementing proven strategies and monitoring performance consistently helps beauty brands grow sustainably and maximize profitability.

Ready to grow your Amazon sales? Contact our full-service Amazon agency and let our experts optimize your listings, protect your brand, and drive measurable growth.

Let Us Optimize Your Listings

High-quality images, A+ Content, and strategic keywords can make your beauty products more discoverable and trustworthy.

Filed under: 

Tags: 

Share this article:

Ken Zhou - Chief Operating Officer, My Amazon Guy

Ken Zhou, Chief Operating Officer

Hi I’m Ken, COO at My Amazon Guy, a high-performing operations team driving business growth through strategic leadership, sales excellence, and process optimization. We scale companies, streamline processes, and deliver significant revenue growth through innovative marketing strategies and scalable solutions.

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop

    Reach us at +1 470-623-1951 Monday to Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm EST.