2022 Skin and Personal Care Ingredient Trends
We pride ourselves on our passion for innovative research and development throughout the year. That means keeping up with current and up-and-coming trends within the personal and skincare markets. 2022 will be no different in this sense, although you may be thinking, "What could possibly be trending after reeling back from the COVID-19 pandemic?" You are correct in asking that because some of the same mindsets are trending this year and last – like realizing that your skin's microbiome is an ecosystem that needs a healthy balance of bacteria. We are also still focused on boosting the immune system. Therefore, vitamin C and zinc are ever-popular skincare ingredients.
The fact is that these markets and trends are constantly changing and evolving. Trending skincare ingredients are almost exclusively based on modern societal thought processes. With a great deal of focus on personal wellness and simplified, sustainable products, skincare ingredients like the ones below will pop up more and more in the coming year and beyond.
Fermented Ingredients
Piggybacking off the last few years popularity of pre- and pro-biotics, we welcome a familiar chemical process to the skincare market: fermentation. Did you know that most fermented foods are probiotics? Things like kimchi, yogurt, and kombucha have long been consumed for gut health and overall well-being. Today, we are beginning to see this trend converting to our outer layer.
Fermentation of food nutrients helps your body absorb them better by becoming more concentrated. Since many skincare ingredients contain fruits, yeasts, and herbs, they can also influence our skin's nutrient absorption process when fermented. To sum it up, whichever ingredient is fermented, its' known benefits for skincare will be amplified. For example, if fermented yeast extract is included in a formulation, the process will produce amino acids and peptides that help the skin's cellular renewal (Dermstore).
Antioxidants Such as Vitamin C Will Continue to Grow
Dubbed the Ingredient of the Year by our Trend Research Team in May 2020, we discovered that Vitamin C isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Google searches of "Vitamin C" hit an all-time high in 2020 due mainly to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers were looking for antioxidant-rich skincare ingredients that promoted immune support and healing and created a shield from outside aggregators like viruses. Vitamin C does just that. Though this search activity diminished a bit, it is still much higher than it was pre-pandemic. You are sure to see a multitude of skincare products over the next year or two which put vitamin C and other antioxidants front and center.
Flower Extracts Like Calendula (Marigold)
Given the "Wild Foraged Beauty" category in Ulta's 2022 trend report, flower extracts are on the rise in the skincare world. Calendula, in particular, is seeing some seriously heightened fame. Calendula oil is extracted from the marigold flower and boasts anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it the perfect ingredient to combat eczema, reduce redness, and soothe skin. Although the popularity of this ingredient has only recently increased, skincare brand Kiehl's has known of its benefits, having introduced a full line of calendula products many years ago. Kudos to this brand for being ahead of the game.
Monthly beauty and skincare subscription company, Ipsy even claims that this ingredient is highly moisturizing and can "give your skin cells the ability to absorb nutrients and hold onto water longer" (Ispy). Overall, we are preemptively calling calendula extract a big win for skincare in the upcoming year.
Estrogen-like Plant Molecules Called Phytoestrogens
One of the most significant conversations this upcoming year will be regarding aging skin. Because growing older is a natural part of life, and aging skin should not be advertised as a problem to be ashamed of, many companies are moving away from using terms like "anti-aging." Instead, they are focusing their energy on marketing hormone-rebalancing ingredients like phytoestrogens.
Phytoestrogens are molecules derived from the reproductive parts of many common plants – from soybeans to nuts and berries. As we age, we lose estrogen, the hormone responsible for our skin's elasticity, thickness, and hydration. Phytoestrogens mimic the benefits of estrogen and are very easily absorbed through our skin, making them a popular choice for skincare products. Keep your eyes open for some new-to-the-market products containing phytoestrogens in 2022. ●
Sources
Booth, Rebecca, MD. "9 Surprising Benefits of Phytoestrogens for Skin." Dermstore, 1 Apr. 2021, www.dermstore.com/blog/9-surprising-benefits-of-phytoestrogens-for-skin
Dermstore Editors. "The Truth Behind the Trend: Fermented Skin Care." Dermstore, 2 Aug. 2020, www.dermstore.com/blog/fermented-skincare
"The Calendula Benefits for Your Skin Are Real and Abundant." Ipsy, 2021, www.ipsy.com/blog/calendula-benefits-for-skin
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