Key Insights
The North American cosmeceutical market, valued at approximately $XX million in 2025, is projected to experience robust growth, driven by a rising consumer awareness of skincare benefits beyond cosmetics and a surge in demand for products addressing specific skin concerns like aging, acne, and hyperpigmentation. The market's 8.24% CAGR from 2019-2024 suggests a continued upward trajectory throughout the forecast period (2025-2033). Key growth drivers include increased disposable incomes, particularly among millennials and Gen Z, who are significant consumers of cosmeceuticals. Furthermore, the expanding online retail sector facilitates convenient access to a wider range of products, contributing to market expansion. The market is segmented by distribution channels (hypermarkets/supermarkets, convenience stores, online stores, specialty stores, others) and product type (skincare, haircare, oral care, others), with skincare dominating market share. While the market faces certain restraints such as stringent regulatory requirements and the potential for counterfeiting, the strong consumer preference for efficacy and scientifically-backed formulations is anticipated to outweigh these challenges. Leading players like Unilever, L'Oréal, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson, along with specialized cosmeceutical companies, are driving innovation and market competition, fostering further growth. The North American market, encompassing the United States, Canada, and Mexico, represents a significant portion of the global cosmeceutical market, benefiting from high consumer spending on personal care and a well-established beauty industry infrastructure.
The significant presence of established multinational companies, coupled with a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem fostering the development of niche cosmeceutical brands, contributes to the market's dynamism. Growth within specific segments, such as anti-aging and specialized skincare solutions, is expected to be particularly strong due to increasing concerns about premature aging and the desire for targeted treatments. The ongoing research and development efforts in the cosmeceutical industry continually introduce new and effective products, further stimulating consumer demand. While precise market figures for each segment are unavailable, it's reasonable to expect that skincare will continue to be the largest segment, followed by hair care and then oral care, with the 'others' category comprising a smaller but growing portion. Continued technological advancements, such as personalized skincare formulations based on individual genetic profiles, hold the potential to revolutionize the market in the coming years, driving further expansion.

North America Cosmeceutical Market: A Comprehensive Report (2019-2033)
This insightful report provides a detailed analysis of the North America cosmeceutical market, offering a comprehensive overview of its current state, future trajectory, and key players. With a study period spanning 2019-2033, a base year of 2025, and a forecast period of 2025-2033, this report is an invaluable resource for stakeholders seeking to understand and capitalize on the market's growth potential. The estimated market value in 2025 is xx Million.
North America Cosmeceutical Market Composition & Trends
This section delves into the competitive landscape of the North America cosmeceutical market, examining market concentration, innovation drivers, regulatory frameworks, substitute products, end-user profiles, and mergers & acquisitions (M&A) activities. We analyze the market share distribution among key players such as Unilever, Bayer AG, Johnson & Johnson, Sabinsa Corporation, L'Oréal, Croda International PLC, Clarins, Procter & Gamble, Henkel, Allergan, and others. The report also quantifies M&A deal values over the historical period (2019-2024) and assesses their impact on market dynamics. The analysis will uncover the level of market concentration and identify any dominant players. We also explore the influence of regulatory changes on market growth and competition, considering the impact of substitute products and evolving consumer preferences. The report incorporates an analysis of end-user segments and their purchasing behaviors to provide a holistic understanding of the market.
- Market share distribution among top 10 players (2024): Analysis detailing percentage share for each company.
- M&A activity analysis (2019-2024): Total deal value in Million USD and key transaction summaries.
- Regulatory landscape assessment: Impact of key regulations on market participants.
- Innovation drivers analysis: Identifying key technological advancements and their impact on product development.

North America Cosmeceutical Market Industry Evolution
This section provides a detailed analysis of the North America cosmeceutical market's growth trajectory from 2019 to 2033. We examine the factors driving market expansion, including technological advancements in formulations and delivery systems, changing consumer preferences towards natural and scientifically-backed products, and the increasing awareness of skincare benefits. We will present specific data points such as compound annual growth rates (CAGR) for the historical and forecast periods, providing a quantitative assessment of market evolution. The influence of emerging technologies like AI-powered personalized skincare recommendations and the adoption of sustainable and ethical sourcing practices will also be explored. Further, this section will explore consumer behavior shifts, including the growing demand for specialized cosmeceuticals targeting specific skin concerns and the rise of online channels for cosmeceutical purchases. The impact of these trends on market segmentation will also be investigated.
- Historical growth rate (2019-2024): CAGR in percentage.
- Forecast growth rate (2025-2033): CAGR in percentage.
- Adoption rate of key technologies: Percentage of market adopting specific technologies.
- Shifting consumer preferences: Analysis of changes in demand for specific product types and features.
Leading Regions, Countries, or Segments in North America Cosmeceutical Market
This section identifies the leading regions, countries, and market segments within the North America cosmeceutical market. We analyze the dominance of specific distribution channels (hypermarkets/supermarkets, convenience stores, online stores, specialty stores, others) and product types (skincare, hair care, oral care, others) in terms of revenue generation and market share. The analysis will explore the key drivers of this dominance, including investment trends, regulatory support, consumer preferences, and the presence of major players in specific regions or segments. A detailed examination of the factors contributing to the leadership of each segment will be provided, including analysis of population demographics, cultural preferences, and market maturity.
- By Distribution Channel:
- Hypermarkets and Supermarkets: Key drivers of dominance (e.g., wide reach, established infrastructure).
- Online Stores: Key drivers of growth (e.g., convenience, personalized marketing).
- Specialty Stores: Factors contributing to niche market leadership.
- By Product Type:
- Skincare: Market share and drivers of dominance (e.g., diverse product range, high consumer demand).
- Hair Care: Market analysis and factors contributing to growth.
- Oral Care: Market overview and key growth drivers.
North America Cosmeceutical Market Product Innovations
This section showcases recent product innovations in the North America cosmeceutical market, highlighting unique selling propositions (USPs), technological advancements, and performance metrics. We discuss new formulations, delivery systems, and active ingredients that are driving market growth. The focus will be on products with scientifically-backed efficacy and the use of cutting-edge technologies to enhance their performance and consumer experience.
Propelling Factors for North America Cosmeceutical Market Growth
This section identifies the key drivers contributing to the growth of the North America cosmeceutical market. We will explore technological advancements in formulation and delivery, the growing awareness of cosmeceutical benefits, and supportive regulatory frameworks. The increasing demand for personalized skincare solutions and the expanding e-commerce landscape will also be addressed.
Obstacles in the North America Cosmeceutical Market
This section analyzes the challenges and restraints hindering the growth of the North America cosmeceutical market. We will discuss regulatory hurdles related to product approval and labeling, potential supply chain disruptions, and the impact of intense competition among established and emerging players. We will quantify the impact of these obstacles on market growth using available data.
Future Opportunities in North America Cosmeceutical Market
This section highlights emerging opportunities for growth in the North America cosmeceutical market. We will focus on untapped market segments, the potential for innovation in personalized skincare technologies, and the evolving consumer preferences for sustainable and ethical products.
Major Players in the North America Cosmeceutical Market Ecosystem
- Unilever
- Bayer AG
- Johnson & Johnson
- Sabinsa Corporation
- L'Oréal
- Croda International PLC
- Clarins
- Procter & Gamble
- Henkel
- Allergan
Key Developments in North America Cosmeceutical Market Industry
- [Year/Month]: [Specific development, e.g., Launch of a new cosmeceutical product by Company X].
- [Year/Month]: [Specific development, e.g., Acquisition of Company Y by Company Z].
- [Year/Month]: [Specific development, e.g., Regulatory changes impacting the market]
Strategic North America Cosmeceutical Market Forecast
This section summarizes the key growth catalysts and presents a forecast for the North America cosmeceutical market. We will highlight the future opportunities and potential for market expansion based on our analysis of market trends, technological advancements, and consumer preferences. The forecast will provide insights into market size, growth rates, and key segment performance for the forecast period (2025-2033), enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions.
North America Cosmeceutical Market Segmentation
-
1. Product Type
-
1.1. Skin Care
- 1.1.1. Anti-Aging
- 1.1.2. Anti-Acne
- 1.1.3. Sun Protection
- 1.1.4. Moisturizers
- 1.1.5. Others
-
1.2. Hair Care
- 1.2.1. Hair Fall
- 1.2.2. Anti-Dandruff
- 1.2.3. Hair Colorants
- 1.3. Oral Care
-
1.1. Skin Care
-
2. Distribution Channels
- 2.1. Hypermarkets and Supermarkets
- 2.2. Convenience Stores
- 2.3. Online Stores
- 2.4. Speciality Stores
- 2.5. Others
-
3. Geography
- 3.1. United States
- 3.2. Canada
- 3.3. Mexico
- 3.4. Rest of North America
North America Cosmeceutical Market Segmentation By Geography
- 1. United States
- 2. Canada
- 3. Mexico
- 4. Rest of North America

North America Cosmeceutical Market REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
Aspects | Details |
---|---|
Study Period | 2019-2033 |
Base Year | 2024 |
Estimated Year | 2025 |
Forecast Period | 2025-2033 |
Historical Period | 2019-2024 |
Growth Rate | CAGR of 8.24% from 2019-2033 |
Segmentation |
|
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1. Research Scope
- 1.2. Market Segmentation
- 1.3. Research Methodology
- 1.4. Definitions and Assumptions
- 2. Executive Summary
- 2.1. Introduction
- 3. Market Dynamics
- 3.1. Introduction
- 3.2. Market Drivers
- 3.2.1. Increasing Demand for Natural Cosmetics; Increasing Demand for Cruelty Free Cosmetics
- 3.3. Market Restrains
- 3.3.1. Presence of Counterfeit Products
- 3.4. Market Trends
- 3.4.1. Anti-Aging Products Remain the Fastest Growing Segment
- 4. Market Factor Analysis
- 4.1. Porters Five Forces
- 4.2. Supply/Value Chain
- 4.3. PESTEL analysis
- 4.4. Market Entropy
- 4.5. Patent/Trademark Analysis
- 5. North America Cosmeceutical Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 5.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Product Type
- 5.1.1. Skin Care
- 5.1.1.1. Anti-Aging
- 5.1.1.2. Anti-Acne
- 5.1.1.3. Sun Protection
- 5.1.1.4. Moisturizers
- 5.1.1.5. Others
- 5.1.2. Hair Care
- 5.1.2.1. Hair Fall
- 5.1.2.2. Anti-Dandruff
- 5.1.2.3. Hair Colorants
- 5.1.3. Oral Care
- 5.1.1. Skin Care
- 5.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Distribution Channels
- 5.2.1. Hypermarkets and Supermarkets
- 5.2.2. Convenience Stores
- 5.2.3. Online Stores
- 5.2.4. Speciality Stores
- 5.2.5. Others
- 5.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Geography
- 5.3.1. United States
- 5.3.2. Canada
- 5.3.3. Mexico
- 5.3.4. Rest of North America
- 5.4. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Region
- 5.4.1. United States
- 5.4.2. Canada
- 5.4.3. Mexico
- 5.4.4. Rest of North America
- 5.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Product Type
- 6. United States North America Cosmeceutical Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 6.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Product Type
- 6.1.1. Skin Care
- 6.1.1.1. Anti-Aging
- 6.1.1.2. Anti-Acne
- 6.1.1.3. Sun Protection
- 6.1.1.4. Moisturizers
- 6.1.1.5. Others
- 6.1.2. Hair Care
- 6.1.2.1. Hair Fall
- 6.1.2.2. Anti-Dandruff
- 6.1.2.3. Hair Colorants
- 6.1.3. Oral Care
- 6.1.1. Skin Care
- 6.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Distribution Channels
- 6.2.1. Hypermarkets and Supermarkets
- 6.2.2. Convenience Stores
- 6.2.3. Online Stores
- 6.2.4. Speciality Stores
- 6.2.5. Others
- 6.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Geography
- 6.3.1. United States
- 6.3.2. Canada
- 6.3.3. Mexico
- 6.3.4. Rest of North America
- 6.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Product Type
- 7. Canada North America Cosmeceutical Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 7.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Product Type
- 7.1.1. Skin Care
- 7.1.1.1. Anti-Aging
- 7.1.1.2. Anti-Acne
- 7.1.1.3. Sun Protection
- 7.1.1.4. Moisturizers
- 7.1.1.5. Others
- 7.1.2. Hair Care
- 7.1.2.1. Hair Fall
- 7.1.2.2. Anti-Dandruff
- 7.1.2.3. Hair Colorants
- 7.1.3. Oral Care
- 7.1.1. Skin Care
- 7.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Distribution Channels
- 7.2.1. Hypermarkets and Supermarkets
- 7.2.2. Convenience Stores
- 7.2.3. Online Stores
- 7.2.4. Speciality Stores
- 7.2.5. Others
- 7.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Geography
- 7.3.1. United States
- 7.3.2. Canada
- 7.3.3. Mexico
- 7.3.4. Rest of North America
- 7.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Product Type
- 8. Mexico North America Cosmeceutical Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 8.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Product Type
- 8.1.1. Skin Care
- 8.1.1.1. Anti-Aging
- 8.1.1.2. Anti-Acne
- 8.1.1.3. Sun Protection
- 8.1.1.4. Moisturizers
- 8.1.1.5. Others
- 8.1.2. Hair Care
- 8.1.2.1. Hair Fall
- 8.1.2.2. Anti-Dandruff
- 8.1.2.3. Hair Colorants
- 8.1.3. Oral Care
- 8.1.1. Skin Care
- 8.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Distribution Channels
- 8.2.1. Hypermarkets and Supermarkets
- 8.2.2. Convenience Stores
- 8.2.3. Online Stores
- 8.2.4. Speciality Stores
- 8.2.5. Others
- 8.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Geography
- 8.3.1. United States
- 8.3.2. Canada
- 8.3.3. Mexico
- 8.3.4. Rest of North America
- 8.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Product Type
- 9. Rest of North America North America Cosmeceutical Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 9.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Product Type
- 9.1.1. Skin Care
- 9.1.1.1. Anti-Aging
- 9.1.1.2. Anti-Acne
- 9.1.1.3. Sun Protection
- 9.1.1.4. Moisturizers
- 9.1.1.5. Others
- 9.1.2. Hair Care
- 9.1.2.1. Hair Fall
- 9.1.2.2. Anti-Dandruff
- 9.1.2.3. Hair Colorants
- 9.1.3. Oral Care
- 9.1.1. Skin Care
- 9.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Distribution Channels
- 9.2.1. Hypermarkets and Supermarkets
- 9.2.2. Convenience Stores
- 9.2.3. Online Stores
- 9.2.4. Speciality Stores
- 9.2.5. Others
- 9.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Geography
- 9.3.1. United States
- 9.3.2. Canada
- 9.3.3. Mexico
- 9.3.4. Rest of North America
- 9.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Product Type
- 10. United States North America Cosmeceutical Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 11. Canada North America Cosmeceutical Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 12. Mexico North America Cosmeceutical Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 13. Rest of North America North America Cosmeceutical Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 14. Competitive Analysis
- 14.1. Market Share Analysis 2024
- 14.2. Company Profiles
- 14.2.1 Unilever
- 14.2.1.1. Overview
- 14.2.1.2. Products
- 14.2.1.3. SWOT Analysis
- 14.2.1.4. Recent Developments
- 14.2.1.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 14.2.2 Bayer AG
- 14.2.2.1. Overview
- 14.2.2.2. Products
- 14.2.2.3. SWOT Analysis
- 14.2.2.4. Recent Developments
- 14.2.2.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 14.2.3 Jhonson & Jhonson
- 14.2.3.1. Overview
- 14.2.3.2. Products
- 14.2.3.3. SWOT Analysis
- 14.2.3.4. Recent Developments
- 14.2.3.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 14.2.4 Sabinsa Corporation
- 14.2.4.1. Overview
- 14.2.4.2. Products
- 14.2.4.3. SWOT Analysis
- 14.2.4.4. Recent Developments
- 14.2.4.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 14.2.5 L'Oreal
- 14.2.5.1. Overview
- 14.2.5.2. Products
- 14.2.5.3. SWOT Analysis
- 14.2.5.4. Recent Developments
- 14.2.5.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 14.2.6 Croda International PLC
- 14.2.6.1. Overview
- 14.2.6.2. Products
- 14.2.6.3. SWOT Analysis
- 14.2.6.4. Recent Developments
- 14.2.6.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 14.2.7 Clarins
- 14.2.7.1. Overview
- 14.2.7.2. Products
- 14.2.7.3. SWOT Analysis
- 14.2.7.4. Recent Developments
- 14.2.7.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 14.2.8 Procter and Gamble
- 14.2.8.1. Overview
- 14.2.8.2. Products
- 14.2.8.3. SWOT Analysis
- 14.2.8.4. Recent Developments
- 14.2.8.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 14.2.9 Henkel*List Not Exhaustive
- 14.2.9.1. Overview
- 14.2.9.2. Products
- 14.2.9.3. SWOT Analysis
- 14.2.9.4. Recent Developments
- 14.2.9.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 14.2.10 Allergan
- 14.2.10.1. Overview
- 14.2.10.2. Products
- 14.2.10.3. SWOT Analysis
- 14.2.10.4. Recent Developments
- 14.2.10.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 14.2.1 Unilever
List of Figures
- Figure 1: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Breakdown (Million, %) by Product 2024 & 2032
- Figure 2: North America Cosmeceutical Market Share (%) by Company 2024
List of Tables
- Table 1: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Region 2019 & 2032
- Table 2: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Product Type 2019 & 2032
- Table 3: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Distribution Channels 2019 & 2032
- Table 4: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Geography 2019 & 2032
- Table 5: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Region 2019 & 2032
- Table 6: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Country 2019 & 2032
- Table 7: United States North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 8: Canada North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 9: Mexico North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 10: Rest of North America North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 11: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Product Type 2019 & 2032
- Table 12: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Distribution Channels 2019 & 2032
- Table 13: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Geography 2019 & 2032
- Table 14: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Country 2019 & 2032
- Table 15: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Product Type 2019 & 2032
- Table 16: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Distribution Channels 2019 & 2032
- Table 17: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Geography 2019 & 2032
- Table 18: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Country 2019 & 2032
- Table 19: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Product Type 2019 & 2032
- Table 20: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Distribution Channels 2019 & 2032
- Table 21: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Geography 2019 & 2032
- Table 22: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Country 2019 & 2032
- Table 23: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Product Type 2019 & 2032
- Table 24: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Distribution Channels 2019 & 2032
- Table 25: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Geography 2019 & 2032
- Table 26: North America Cosmeceutical Market Revenue Million Forecast, by Country 2019 & 2032
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of the North America Cosmeceutical Market?
The projected CAGR is approximately 8.24%.
2. Which companies are prominent players in the North America Cosmeceutical Market?
Key companies in the market include Unilever, Bayer AG, Jhonson & Jhonson, Sabinsa Corporation, L'Oreal, Croda International PLC, Clarins, Procter and Gamble, Henkel*List Not Exhaustive, Allergan.
3. What are the main segments of the North America Cosmeceutical Market?
The market segments include Product Type, Distribution Channels, Geography.
4. Can you provide details about the market size?
The market size is estimated to be USD XX Million as of 2022.
5. What are some drivers contributing to market growth?
Increasing Demand for Natural Cosmetics; Increasing Demand for Cruelty Free Cosmetics.
6. What are the notable trends driving market growth?
Anti-Aging Products Remain the Fastest Growing Segment.
7. Are there any restraints impacting market growth?
Presence of Counterfeit Products.
8. Can you provide examples of recent developments in the market?
N/A
9. What pricing options are available for accessing the report?
Pricing options include single-user, multi-user, and enterprise licenses priced at USD 4750, USD 5250, and USD 8750 respectively.
10. Is the market size provided in terms of value or volume?
The market size is provided in terms of value, measured in Million.
11. Are there any specific market keywords associated with the report?
Yes, the market keyword associated with the report is "North America Cosmeceutical Market," which aids in identifying and referencing the specific market segment covered.
12. How do I determine which pricing option suits my needs best?
The pricing options vary based on user requirements and access needs. Individual users may opt for single-user licenses, while businesses requiring broader access may choose multi-user or enterprise licenses for cost-effective access to the report.
13. Are there any additional resources or data provided in the North America Cosmeceutical Market report?
While the report offers comprehensive insights, it's advisable to review the specific contents or supplementary materials provided to ascertain if additional resources or data are available.
14. How can I stay updated on further developments or reports in the North America Cosmeceutical Market?
To stay informed about further developments, trends, and reports in the North America Cosmeceutical Market, consider subscribing to industry newsletters, following relevant companies and organizations, or regularly checking reputable industry news sources and publications.
Methodology
Step 1 - Identification of Relevant Samples Size from Population Database



Step 2 - Approaches for Defining Global Market Size (Value, Volume* & Price*)

Note*: In applicable scenarios
Step 3 - Data Sources
Primary Research
- Web Analytics
- Survey Reports
- Research Institute
- Latest Research Reports
- Opinion Leaders
Secondary Research
- Annual Reports
- White Paper
- Latest Press Release
- Industry Association
- Paid Database
- Investor Presentations

Step 4 - Data Triangulation
Involves using different sources of information in order to increase the validity of a study
These sources are likely to be stakeholders in a program - participants, other researchers, program staff, other community members, and so on.
Then we put all data in single framework & apply various statistical tools to find out the dynamic on the market.
During the analysis stage, feedback from the stakeholder groups would be compared to determine areas of agreement as well as areas of divergence