What's next for the skincare industry?

It’s not often that you can combine your profession with a topic that genuinely interests you outside of the workplace, but at Spencer Riley - as a consultant within the Life Sciences & Healthcare team -I’ve been able to do just that. I’ve long held an interest in skincare trends which got me thinking - what does the future for the sector hold?  

As the skincare industry continues to grow, new and innovative products and ingredients are becoming recognised and increasing in popularity. People are beginning to understand their own skin and are becoming more aware of what products work best for them to ensure an effective skincare routine. Up and coming trends in skincare will reflect this and highlight the shift within the market from extensive skincare routines to ‘Skinimalism’.

The rise of hybrid skincare products

One significant change that is expected in the next few months is the increase in popularity for products that are part makeup, part skincare - dubbed the hybrid skincare era.

Over the last couple of years, more people are wearing less makeup and focusing more on their skin’s condition, emphasising the concept of ‘less is more’. During the last decade one of the most profound changes within the cosmetics industry is a strong focus on skincare. 

I feel there will be more products that have skincare properties that are also makeup. This has already begun to develop with brands such as Drunk Elephant which has introduced ‘O-Bloos Rosi Drops’ which supports the skin by combining omega oils, essential fatty acids and antioxidants whilst also acting as a rosy-pink blush. The skincare brand Pixi has also introduced more beauty-centric products including a Skin Tint that evens out skin tone, promoting the ‘no-make-up make-up’ look.

Going green

Another major development in the skin care industry is the focus on sustainability and eco-friendly products. As a society we are more and more aware of environmental problems and what we can do individually to help the environment.

This has seen a rise in beauty bar products which are set to make a comeback thanks to their sustainable packaging rather than plastic. These are different to normal soap bars as they do not strip away the essential oils from your skin and do not over cleanse the skin, ensuring you maintain your natural moisture barrier.

Blue light protection

As an interest in skincare and general health and wellbeing continues to expand, the use of SPF and sunscreen products is also anticipated to remain in demand throughout the summer. As a result of the pandemic, an increase in the amount of time spent in front of phones and digital devices will see more of a focus on blue light protection as well.

Research shows that the blue light emitted from our TVs, computers and smartphones could be one of the leading causes of premature ageing. Ingredients seen in blue light skincare protection products include butterfly ginger plant, cocoa seed, carrot root and seeds, rice and marigold.

The key ingredients

As well as products, certain technologies and key ingredients within skincare are also expected to trend.

More people now tend to want treatments they can use at home that are on par with treatments they would receive at a skin clinic. As a result, LED light masks are becoming more popular as these treatments work best when applied before an LED light mask.

In terms of ingredients, one that is currently on the radar and due to increase in popularity throughout the next few months is Japanese Indigo. This ingredient has healing and anti-inflammatory properties and is good for skin conditions such as rosacea and eczema. Skin health specialist Jasmina Vico believes we will start to see this pop up more and more in skincare products.

What the experts say

Looking at the opinions from skincare experts, the most common trend prediction is the idea of ‘Skinimalism’. Many professionals suggest that consumers will start using less skincare products and will only be using the hard-working essentials. Over the last decade as skincare has become more popular, there is an extensive range of different products in the market. As knowledge around skincare increases, it is apparent that not every product used together will be beneficial for the skin and that products aimed at your skin’s condition will provide much more effective results.

It is evident that the skincare industry is currently expanding and rapidly developing due to an increase in consumer interest and knowledge around their own health and wellbeing. From research and looking at different predictions from experts, the concept of ‘skinimalism’ is the most popular trend. The younger generation are moving away from using makeup to cover their imperfections and are moving towards understanding their skin and using products that target and improve their imperfections, resulting in less need for makeup.