If you choose the right programs, selling cosmetics and beauty products can become a highly profitable side hustle. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the best cosmetics and beauty affiliate programs and discuss why they’re great opportunities for generating affiliate commissions. We’ll also provide tips to help you maximize your earnings from these programs.
Whether you’re new to affiliate marketing or looking for fresh programs to promote, you’ll find valuable insights and recommendations in this guide. Let’s dive in!
What is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing allows publishers to earn money by promoting products or services sold by other companies through unique affiliate links. When a customer completes a desired action—usually a sale—the affiliate partner earns a commission for helping the retailer or advertiser achieve their goal.
However, affiliate marketing isn’t limited to just sales. Some affiliate programs pay for leads, free trial signups, website clicks, or app downloads.
The best part? Most affiliate programs are free to join, so there’s no need to worry about high setup costs. With the right strategy, affiliate marketing can evolve from a part-time gig into a profitable online business, generating significant income.
Best Beauty Affiliate Programs
The global cosmetics and beauty industry is booming, with an estimated annual spend of $500 billion worldwide. Moreover, the sector is expected to grow at a steady 5% rate in the coming years.
One of the key advantages of this market is its resilience. Even in challenging economic or social conditions, people continue to purchase beauty products—a phenomenon known as the “Lipstick Effect,” where consumers still splurge on small luxuries like makeup even during tough times.
This makes the beauty industry a fantastic space to explore affiliate marketing. By partnering with the right makeup and beauty affiliate programs, you can tap into a market that remains stable and continually grows.
Best Beauty Affiliate Programs in 2024:
Here is the list of the 15 Best Beauty affiliate programs in 2024 and 2025:
- Sephora
- Nordstrom
- Dermstore
- Look fantastic
- Feel Unique
- MAC Cosmetics
- Skin Store
- Ecsentual
- Cult Beauty
- Tatcha
- Glossier
- Soko Glam
- Beauty Bay
- Kiehl’s
- Skin Ceuticals
1. Sephora:
Over 13,000+ healths, beauty, as well as skincare products from more than 200 of the most well-known brands in the world are available at Sephora. Luxury brand names, specialty cosmetics, and Sephora’s own collections can all be found on the internet.
Using Skimlinks and Sovrn, the business provides worldwide affiliate networks that offer commissions of up to 10% on each sale. Rakuten and Impact both provide plans that are exclusive to particular areas, with Impact offering the most alluring commission rates (up to 10%).
Regardless of the program you choose, you’ll have access to a variety of marketing tools and resources, such as premium affiliate newsletters, product sneak peeks, and high-caliber creatives.
Additionally, Sephora provides free samples for all purchases and free delivery on orders of $50 or more, both of which can increase conversions.
Details:
- Commission: 0-5percentage base commission – Rakuten, 5percentage base commission – Rakuten, 3-
- 8percentage web sale – Impact, 2.5-7percentage web sale Impact, 4-10percentage web sale – Impact,
- 4percent – Sovrn, 7.99percent – Sovrn.
- Cookie duration: 1 month – Rakuten, Impact, Not listed- Sovrn
- Product or Services sold: Beauty products, skincare, health, fragrance, and Makeup
2. Nordstrom:
The US department store company Nordstrom carries a wide selection of cosmetics, skincare, fragrances, hair care, and accessories. It offers a number of well-known brands, such as Bobbi Brown, Dior, as well as Jo Malone London.
Before becoming a significant retail business servicing customers online as well as at more than 350 Nordstrom stores, the company began in 1901 as a Seattle shoe store. Join Rakuten’s affiliate network for Nordstrom. Depending on the site and performance, this pays up to 11 percentage commission per sale on all items other than gift cards and has cookies that last between 0.5 and 14 days.
Commissions are paid on a monthly basis if you reach the $25 minimum. If not, they will carry over to the next month.
In addition to exclusive affiliate promos, Nordstrom provides a variety of affiliate tools and information, such as category-, sale-, and event-specific creatives.
Details:
- Link: Nordstrom affiliate program
- Rate of commission: 2% to 11% per sale
- The time between cookies: 0.5 and 14 days
- Products/Services Sold: Dresses, shoes, jewelry, apparel
- Payment options: PayPal, direct deposit, and checks Global Markets
3. Dermstore:
In order to provide patients with professional-strength skincare products, most of which are created from all-natural ingredients, a dermatologist started Dermstore in 1999. The company now carries recipes from well-known companies, niche brands, and unpopular spa products. For all orders totaling $50 or more, basic shipping is free.
Through FlexOffers and Sovrn, Dermstore provides worldwide affiliate programs. You can also register via Skimlinks if you’re an affiliate marketer headquartered in Canada or the US. On the Awin network, it also has a unique affiliate program for US residents.
To access the best pricing and earn commissions up to 12 percent on an average purchase of about $138, join with Skimlinks. That translates to a fee of almost $16.50 for each sale on average.
Details:
- Commission: 5% new customer purchase, 12% base commission, 15 percentage repeat customer purchase
- CJ Affiliate, $5.00 on certain sales (Skimlinks), 5.05% (Sovrn).
- Cookie lifespan: 30 days – CJ Affiliate, not specified (Skimlinks, Sovrn)
- Products or Services: Skincare, haircare, cosmetics, fragrance, and bath & body items
4. Look Fantastic:
THG, a digital firm that specializes in DTC e-commerce companies, is the owner of Lookfantastic, an online store with a presence in the UK.
Customers in more than 200 countries can purchase 22,000 or more haircare, cosmetics, as well as beauty products from the website. It collaborates with more than 660 high-end brands and has emerged as MAC as well as Yves Saint Laurent’s go-to online partner. Lookfantastic offers local affiliate programs on Awin and Skimlinks, as well as international programs through FlexOffers and Sovrn.
The program from Skimlinks UK has the largest commission rates, up to 20%. However, Sovrn is your greatest option if you’re US based affiliate partner (or serve a mostly US-focused audience), giving commissions ranging up to 10percentage per sale.
The committed affiliate staff at Lookfantastic will provide help no matter which beauty affiliate program you select. A weekly affiliate email, regular promos, tailored creatives, and product feeds are all additional services offered by the merchant.
Details:
- Commission: Up to 10% – Awin
- Cookie lifecycle: 1 month – AdmitAd, CJ Affiliate, Commission Factory.
- Products/Services Offered: Expensive cosmetics, beauty, and haircare items
5. Feel Unique:
Feelunique markets itself as Europe’s top online retailer for high-end cosmetics, with a selection of more than 50,000 items from 1,500+ brands. Worldwide, it delivers to more than 120 nations.
Self-care kits that promote clients’ physical and emotional well-being have been created by the business in collaboration with Mind, the mental health organization.
Awin oversees the makeup affiliate program for Feelunique. It features a 30-day cookies window and offers different commissions depending on the publisher type and product category:
Feelunique affiliate partners have access to a variety of marketing tools and resources, including exclusive deals, personalized banners, updated product feeds, and regular updates on new companies, goods, and promotions.
The company’s commission rate might reach 9%, which is average for the industry. Feelunique could be a great addition to your affiliate portfolio, especially if you enjoy promoting goods from merchants who share your values.
Details:
- Affiliate program for Feelunique
- 15% maximum commission per sale
- Cookie lifecycle: 30 days
- Products/Services Sold: Expensive cosmetics
- BACS, wire transfers internationally, and ACH
- Markets: Worldwide
6. MAC Cosmetics:
A beauty company owned by Estée Lauder Companies, MAC Cosmetics creates more than 50 new collections each year and is distributed in over 120 countries. It has excellent brand recognition in part because of partnerships with artists like Lorde, Rihanna, as well as Selena Quintanilla.
For such a well-known company, it should come as no surprise that MAC Cosmetics’ affiliate program is accessible through various networks. While local programs covering different areas could be accessed on Skimlinks, Sovrn, and Rakuten, its worldwide makeup affiliate programs may be found on FlexOffers and Skimlinks.
Skimlinks reports that the program’s average conversion rate is 2.77% and that the average basket size is about $68. This means that you could make up to $6.80 on each sale.
Details:
- Commission: 10% – Skimlinks, 8% (for online sales), 4%, 6%, and 5.41% (for Rakuten) (Sovrn)
- Timeframe for cookies: Not specified – Skimlinks, Sovrn, 7 days (Rakuten)
- Markets: Global – Skimlinks, AU – Skimlinks, US – Rakuten, CA – Rakuten, Global – Sovrn
- Products/Services Sold: Cosmetics and beauty supplies
7. Skin Store:
SkinStore is an online retailer that is a member of the Lookfantastic Group and offers more than 16,000 hair, skincare, and cosmetic products from above 350 brands. A large portion of the website’s 500,000+ monthly visits come from its special freebies and member benefits. Orders above $49 qualify for free US shipping for customers.
The main US affiliate program for SkinStore is run by Awin and offers an 8-percentage commission rate and 30-day cookie duration. US affiliates also can sign up using FlexOffers and Skimlinks, whereas ShareASale and Yazing offer global beauty affiliate networks.
ShareASale, which offers 12% commissions on each sale, has the most alluring terms. According to the network’s 30-day statistics, the average order value was $108.69, the EPC was $32.93, and the conversion rate was 2.53%.
Details:
- Commission: 8% for Awin, 12% for ShareASale, and 12% for ShareASale
- Cookie lifetime: thirty days
- Market: US, worldwide
- Products/Services Offered: Designer skincare, body care, as well as hair care items
8. Ecsentual:
Escentual.com is a family-run company with headquarters in Wales, United Kingdom. It offers 6,500 goods across a range of categories, including skincare, fragrances, and hair care. Since its establishment twenty years ago, the company has earned a reputation as being one of the first to carry new cosmetic items.
All orders over £30 are eligible for free UK shipping and complimentary gift wrapping from the firm.
Join the Escentual UK affiliate network through Awin to take advantage of a 1-month cookie window and commission rates up to 7.5%. Global affiliates can join Sovrn to receive commissions ranging from 2.5% to 7.5% per sale.
You can be sure that a large number of your customers will convert because Escentual has a great conversion rate of over 10% and an average order value of $65+. Additionally, affiliate partners have access to the brand’s own editorial and creative materials.
Details:
- Network: Awin, Sovrn
- Commission: 7.5% maximum
- Cookie lifetime: thirty days
- Markets: UK, worldwide
- Items/Services Sold: Fragrances and cosmetics
9. Cult Beauty:
A team of beauty enthusiasts working at Cult Beauty is dedicated to finding and marketing cult beauty products, from 100-year-old treatments that have never been improved upon to cutting-edge scientific advancements.
The retailer is committed to transparency; it publishes every assessment it receives and lists all of the ingredients with every product it carries.
Awin or FlexOffers are two places where UK-based affiliate marketers can sign up for the tultBeauty affiliate program. Awin, which provides a 1-month cookie window as well as commission rates as high as 15%, has superior terms.
Not based in the UK? Join Cult’s global affiliate program for beauty on Sovrn or Skimlinks, which focuses on areas like the United States, Australia, and Germany.
Before submitting your application, keep in mind that Cult Beauty gives preference to websites that are visually appealing, simple to use, and frequently updated with fresh information.
Details:
- Commission: Up to 15% with Awin, 0.8% to 4% with FlexOffers, 10% with Skimlinks, and 4.7% with Sovrn
C - Cookie duration: Not listed for Skimlinks, Sovrn, and 30 days for Rakuten
- Products/Services Sold: Fragrances, cosmetics, hair care, and skin care
- Markets: Worldwide
10. Tatcha:
Tatcha is a cosmetics line that specializes in Japanese cosmetics and skincare items. At Tatcha Institute in Tokyo, all of its formulae are made using organic superfoods, amino acids, plus a proprietary compound based on the Japanese diet.
The business offers a wide selection of skincare items, such as moisturizers, cleansers, and exfoliators, divided into categories based on various skin kinds and advantages. All domestic orders made within the US are eligible for free shipping.
FlexOffers and Sovrn both offer the Tatcha global beauty affiliate program, with FlexOffers offering commissions ranging up to 6.4 percent per sale and 30 days cookie window.
Additionally, the company offers affiliate programs through Skimlinks that target particular regions, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, and pay up to 15% commissions.
Details:
- Network: FlexOffers, Skimlinks, and Sovrn
- Commission: Skimlinks 15%, FlexOffers 3.5% to 6.4%, and Sovrn 4%
- Cookie lifetime: thirty days
- US, AU, CA, and global markets
- Items/Services Sold: Japanese cosmetics and skincare items
11. Glossier:
Emily Weiss founded the digitally-native beauty company Glossier in 2014. She started the business with just four products, including face mist plus a moisturizer.
In terms of makeup, skincare, balms, body care, gift sets, and clothing, Glossier still only sells roughly 80 items. Nevertheless, it has a valuation of $1.8 billion and generates yearly revenues of more than $100 million. On purchases of $40 or more, the company offers free shipping.
You may find Glossier’s international beauty affiliate programs on Sovrn and FlexOffers. Sovrn reports that the store has a great conversion percentage of 7.54% and a mean basket size of $58.13. The most appealing rates are offered by Sovrn, which pays 15% for every sale.
Through Skimlinks, the business also manages a regional affiliate program for partners in several countries, such as the US and UK.
Glossier rewards affiliate marketers with a variety of benefits, such as early access to new product releases and invitations to special events.
Details:
- Online sale commission of 7–20% for Skimlinks, 14.99%, $0.20 for Sovrn
- Cookie lifetime: Not specified
- Markets: Worldwide
- Selling skincare, cosmetics, body butter, gift baskets, and clothing
12. Soko Glam:
Soko Glam is a Korean Beauty Company that only sells top-notch goods that produce noticeable effects, including various clean and vegan options.
The business is also committed to making a positive influence on society by supporting charities and non-profits including Stop AAPI Hate, Black Lives Matter, as well as Hate Is a Virus.
Skimlinks offers Soko’s North American affiliate network, which offers commissions of up to 10% on each sale.
According to data from Skimlinks, the typical basket size is around $55, and the 90-day EPC is $0.07.
As an alternative, affiliates from countries other than the United States and Canada can register with Sovrn or FlexOffers. Although Sovrn pays a 5% commission as well as FlexOffers up to 1.6 percent per sale, the conditions are less favorable.
Details:
- Network: Skimlinks, Sovrn, FlexOffers
- Commission: 10% maximum
- Cookie lifetime: seven days
- Korean cosmetics, skincare, and beauty items are sold.
- Market: US, worldwide
13. Beauty Bay:
Beauty Bay started up in 1999 as a store of fragrances before expanding to include skincare and cosmetics. The business released its in-house beauty brand, By Beauty Brand, in 2018, and it has since been the site’s top seller.
Beauty Bay carries more than 10,000 items, and new products are released every week. Orders above $100 qualify for free shipping for customers.
Through Awin, the business’s US beauty affiliate network pays 10% on sales of its own-brand items plus up to 7% on some other conversions. The company offers additional locally focused beauty programs via Awin as well as Skimlinks, while Sovrn hosts its global program, which pays up to 10% per sale.
A product feed or weekly affiliate newsletter with updates on trends and new products are just two of the resources available to Beauty Bay affiliates.
Details:
- Network: Awim, Skimlinks, and Sovrn
- Commission: 10% to 15% maximum
- Cookie lifetime: thirty days
- UK, US, and global markets
- Sold goods/services include fragrances, cosmetics, and skincare.
14. Kiehl’s:
L’Oréal is the owner of the high-end cosmetics label Kiehl’s. The company, which began as a single drugstore in 1851, currently offers a large assortment of skincare, hair care products, and body care items that are all 100% paraben-free.
Best-selling Midnight Recovery Concentrated, Ultra Facial Cream and the men’s Facial Fuel Moisturizer are examples of Kiehl’s goods. All orders are shipped for free to the customer.
On FlexOffers and Sovrn networks, Kiehl’s offers global beauty affiliate programs; the latter pays up to 8.4% in commissions per sale. Skimlinks and Awin also offer beauty programs that are country-specific.
Affiliates can use a variety of marketing resources and tools, such as a frequently updated product feed, banners and images, and the capacity to advertise on-site specials (including gift-with-purchase offers).
Details:
- Network: Skimlinks, Sovrn, FlexOffers
- Commission: FlexOffers 4.8%, Sovrn 2% – 8.4%, Awin 5%, Skimlinks Up to 15%- 25%
- Cookie lifecycle: 1 to 30 day
- Market: Worldwide
- Products and services offered: Body, hair, and skincare items
15. Skin Ceuticals:
The skincare business SkinCeuticals, owned by L’Oréal, sells to clients in 25 countries via dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons, medical spas, particular pharmacies, upscale spas, and its own website.
The brand’s products are produced in the US using data from decades of skin cancer research. Free ground shipping is available on every order for SkinCeuticals members.
Through FlexOffers and Sovrn, SkinCeuticals offers affiliate programs for beauty products around the world. The former offers 5 percent commissions as well as a one-day cookie window. Using Awin, Skimlinks, Sovrn, as well as Rakuten, different regional SkinCeuticals programs are accessible.
For high-selling affiliates, content that is tailored to the product, and creatives of a professional caliber, all programs give dynamic commissions. Additionally, SkinCeuticals has a great affiliate support staff.
Details:
- Commission: 5% for Awin, 5% – 10% for Skimlinks, 6% for Rakuten, 6% – 10% for Sovrn.
- Cookie lifetimes: 1 day (Rakuten), 30 days (Awin), and not specified (Skimlinks, Sovrn)
- Markets: Global
- Sold goods/services include skincare items.
Conclusion
Affiliate marketing in the cosmetics and beauty niche offers a lucrative opportunity, particularly when you choose the right programs to promote. The industry’s resilience and consistent growth make it an ideal option for affiliates looking to generate steady commissions. By utilizing an effective marketing strategy, you can turn this side hustle into a successful online business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does affiliate marketing work?
Affiliate marketing works by promoting a company’s products through unique affiliate links. When someone makes a purchase or completes an action through your link, you earn a commission.
Are affiliate programs free to join?
Yes, most affiliate programs are free to join, making it a low-risk way to start earning money online.
Can I make money from affiliate marketing quickly?
While affiliate marketing can generate passive income, it takes time to build a steady stream of earnings. Consistency and choosing the right programs are key to success.
Why should I focus on beauty affiliate programs?
The beauty industry is growing rapidly and remains resilient, even in tough economic times. This makes it a great niche for affiliate marketing, as there’s always demand for cosmetics and beauty products.
What is the “Lipstick Effect”?
The “Lipstick Effect” refers to consumers’ tendency to continue buying small luxury items, like makeup, even during economic downturns or crises. This highlights the resilience of the beauty industry.