Spending by Chinese men on all kinds of face creams, anti- aging gels and cleansing lotions already exceeds spending on razors and blades by a factor of 4:3 and the gap will keep widening, said Damon Jones, a Boston-based spokesman for Procter & Gamble. "If we don't win in skincare, we can't be No. 1 in China," Jones said.

The Chinese men's skin-care market may reach $269.6 million this year, compared with $227.4 million for North America, according to Euromonitor. The research company forecast annual growth of 29 percent from last year to 2014, compared with 5.7 percent for North America and 7.9 percent in Europe.

China's growth potential is helped by a lack of cultural resistance to men using the items, said Jean-Michel Ripoll, L'Oreal's Shanghai-based general manager for market research.

"In the U.S. or Mediterranean countries, when we tried to tell men to use cosmetics they would say: 'Come on. I'm a man and creams are for girls," said Ripoll. "In China we don't have to fight against that."

Eoin Treacy's view This additional video clip from CNBC, kindly forwarded by a subscriber may also be of interest. Mrs. Treacy and I had a laugh about the above article a few days ago because she bought me a moisturiser soon after we started going out and we ended up throwing it away because I simply don't use them. On the other hand, there is little social impediment to these products gaining market share in Asia and associated companies have aggressive growth targets.

L'Oreal, a European dividend aristocrat paying 1.74%, has been consolidating above the April and July highs since October and a sustained move below the 200-day MA would be required to question medium-term upside potential.

Proctor & Gamble, a US dividend aristocrat paying 2.96%, ranged mostly below $65 from late last year but is retesting that area now and a sustained move below $61.50 would be required to question medium-term upside potential.

Estee Lauder consolidated above the 2008 high from May, found support in the region of the 200-day MA and has accelerated higher once more. While overextended right now, a sustained move below the trend mean would be required to question medium-term upside potential.

Beiersdorf has been ranging for a year and is currently testing the lower side. A clear upward dynamic is now required to indicate demand is returning in this area.

Shiseido continues to form a 1st step above its base and is currently testing the lower side. It needs to hold above ¥1600 to retain the medium-term bullish outlook.