Since the start of the pandemic, the focus on skincare has been enormous. People wore less makeup and spent more time on skincare. This trend will continue to be strong this year.
Let's look at the hottest skincare trends for 2022.
1. Bakuchiol
Many more products with bakuchiol will be launched. Bakuchiol will become as obvious a star ingredient as vitamin C.
Having a good natural alternative to retinol that doesn't irritate the skin will further strengthen the anti-stress skincare trend.
Smooth, even, firm skin without disrupting the skin barrier is so 2022.
The only question is whether the Indian plant Babchi can be grown and harvested in time to meet demand.
By the way, it's good to keep track of what percentage of bakuchiol a product contains to get value for money. At least if bakuchiol is the main ingredient in a product.
Expect to see new eye creams, serums, face creams and oils with bakuchiol in the starring role.
2. Effective and bioactive ingredients
Active ingredients like retinol, niacinamide and vitamin C have been trending in recent years and will continue to be popular this year.
What we will see more of, however, are other bioactive ingredients. Bakuchiol, which we already mentioned, but also antioxidants like vitamin E and polyphenols.
Ingredients like algae extract and exotic cold-pressed oils will also become really hot.
They are more complex in their composition and usually contain various antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids that together quickly give noticeable effects on the skin.
Suki Skincare and 100% Pure are examples of brands that are making big investments in bioactive ingredients.
3. Liposomes
When we crave active ingredients, we must not forget that we also want fast-acting and deep-penetrating skincare products. This is where liposomes come into the picture.
Liposomes are very small bubbles consisting of the same material as our cell membranes. These small bubbles encapsulate potent substances and deliver them quickly to the deeper layers of the skin where they are released.
They are used in skincare to provide faster action with better results. Liposomes take skincare to the next level and are something we will definitely see more of this year.
Here are some examples of facial products with liposomes: Suki Moisture-rich Brightening Mask Suki Radical Results Youth Serum Suki Concentrated Clarifying Toner Suki Resurfacing Enzyme Peel Suki Balancing Day Lotion
4. Smart multi-products
There are many benefits to multi-products:
We avoid buying lots of different products, which saves both money and space in the bathroom cabinet.
A safe purchase since the products will always be used, which reduces waste. They run out before they expire. A positive thing for both our wallet and the environment.
Multi-products are our best gym and travel companions.
Besides oils, balms and salves, other multi-products will trend.
Those beyond the usual like Bruns balsam nr 3 which can be used as body lotion, facial cleansing milk and shaving cream, among other things.
5. Tools
Being able to get results without products, cosmetic or surgical procedures has long been hot.
Various tools that take our skincare routine to a completely new level have long existed and they are here to stay.
More brands will launch their own tools such as cleansing brushes and suction cups.
6. Zero waste and plastic-free
Zero waste is only getting hotter each year and this year is no exception.
More brands are developing plastic-reduced, plastic-free and sometimes completely packaging-free alternatives.
We will also see more refill systems. A sustainable trend in the right direction!
7. Upcycling
Upcycling means taking advantage of waste or by-products to transform them into a completely new product that has a higher value. The product is therefore recycled upward in value, instead of being downgraded in each recycling step.
Upcycling is hotter than ever and the concept will receive much more attention during the new year.
8. Concentrated products
The sustainability mindset of quality over quantity will take up more space both among manufacturers and consumers.
We would like to have a shampoo that lasts 2-3 times longer like shampoo bars, a generous little drop of toothpaste on the toothbrush.
The advantages here with concentrated products are:
pure content, minimal or completely without unnecessary fillers
buy less frequently, reduce shipping/transport
better effect, concentrated, undiluted
9. Double masking
Double masking is the new hot thing. During the pandemic, the use of face masks has drastically increased. Instead of going to the salon now and then, we now strive for frequent mini-facials at home.
Double masking means using two or more masks directly after each other – just like during a salon treatment. You combine different face masks that target specific skin problems. For example, you start with an exfoliating mask, then a deep cleansing one and finish with a moisturizing one.
Double masking thus gives broader and better results compared to a single mask that should do everything. Note! Combining face masks that do the same things serves no purpose, but can rather over-treat the skin.
10. Anti-blue light
The pandemic has made us spend even more time in front of computer screens.
Therefore, skincare products that protect against blue light continue to be something we crave.
i+m face creams are examples of products that protect the skin against blue light.
11. Good bacteria
During the year we will see more beauty products and even makeup with good bacteria.
This involves fermented ingredients, probiotics and prebiotics in skincare.
Good bacteria act as active protection against bad bacteria, calm inflammation, and counteract skin aging. The good bacteria are an important part of skin health.
Brands like 100% Pure and Dr Sannas offer several products with good bacteria.
12. Balancing products
Regardless of skin type and age, the golden balance is the ultimate goal.
We have now shifted focus from solving specific skin problems to overall skin health. Balanced skin is fundamentally stronger, self-repairing and healthier.
Strengthening the skin's overall balance is the shortcut to solving all types of skin problems for healthier and more beautiful skin.
There are different balances to achieve:
balanced sebum production
pH balance
moisture balance
bacterial/microflora balance
A single product cannot provide total balance to the skin, but all steps in the skincare routine should together support and provide what the skin needs to achieve balance.
Sometimes the diet also needs to be adjusted to support the skin from within.
13. Strengthening the skin barrier
The desire to strengthen the skin barrier is yet another holistic approach for more resilient skin against external and internal stress factors.
As a counterpoint to trendy bioactive products, strengthening anti-stress products will take up more and more space this year.
Sometimes the use of cleansers and acids can become excessive, which weakens the skin barrier. Then you need to work on rebuilding the skin barrier.
Skin with a damaged or weak skin barrier tends to:
be dry and flaky
itch, get eczema and similar conditions
get uneven skin tone
become sensitive, easily turning red and inflamed
more easily be affected by various skin infections
Strengthening the skin barrier is actually quite simple. However, it requires changing your routines, more than just changing products:
cutting down the number of products in your skincare routine, so that the skin is not over-treated
letting the skin rest from acids, overly stimulating and active products
stop burdening the skin with chemicals and substances that it cannot utilize, take advantage of, or that don't contribute anything to the skin
focus on anti-stress: sleep and drink enough, wind down and eat things that strengthen the body and its defenses
When it comes to products, you should choose mild and pure ones that can moisturize and soothe irritated skin.
The products should provide the skin with plenty of moisture and be able to keep the skin hydrated for a long time.
Use products with ingredients like vegetable oils, aloe vera, squalane, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, sorbitol, niacinamide (active but mild) and antioxidants that protect the skin against oxidative stress.
