There’s never before been such a big focus played on skincare. With 2015/16 seeing heavy foundation pared back, make-up directors across the globe began to amp up the importance of using skincare to create a flawless base. Below, we talk to skincare experts to discover this year’s top trends for achieving this ‘flawless base’...
Boosters
“There will be a strong showing of ‘boosters’ within your skincare regimen. Boosters are designed to give a ‘power shot’ [to your skin] to improve its performance.” - International Dermal Institute and Dermalogica education manager Emma Hobson
“[Boosters are] ultra-concentrated formulas of superstar ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, and hyaluronic acid. These may be used alone or, even better, added to your favourite moisturiser or serum to “supercharge” the results." - content and research director Bryan Barron
Bright and luminous
“2016 looks to be a continuation of the brightening trends of 2015. Products that fight pigmentation and dullness with primarily plant-based ingredients and are respectful of trends in sustainability will continue to excel.” - Clarins head of training Charlotte Turner
"Skincare trends this year lean towards strong, luminous skin – beautiful hydrated, flawless skin that lets your natural beauty shine through." - marketing and public relations manager Ai San Beaumont
Improved delivery systems
“We’ll be seeing improved delivery systems used to improve tolerance of more potent ingredients like retinol.” - Paula’s Choice content and research director Bryan Barron
Essences
“Long popular in East Asian countries, essences are another word for toner, but most essences have formulas that go above and beyond a toner (many of which are little more than fragranced water). Of course, you can find beautifully-formulated toners from select brands (Paula’s Choice being among them), but brands like Clinique and SK-II are coming out with some intriguing essences that contain a mix of beneficial ingredients, including those with emerging research on how they can improve skin.” - Paula’s Choice content and research director Bryan Barron
Probiotics
“It seems that everybody is talking about the importance of gut health in a broader nutritional sense. This is already translating into the skincare category but expect to see more brands incorporating probiotics in their formulas.” - Dermalogica marketing manager Julia Ramanadhan
Moving away from multitasking
“2015 was all about products that can do everything… the ultimate multitasking product. In 2016, skincare will move away from this quite a bit and be broken back down to specific products for specific skin needs rather than a one product ‘cure all’.” - co-founder Vicki Engsall
Infusion
“Expect to see ‘infusion’ as a key player within your skin treatments. Using iontophoresis, microcurrent and ultrasound machines to deliver active ingredients much further and faster into the skin for improved penetration and performance for much faster, tangible results.” - Dermalogica education manager Emma Hobson
Abandonment of microbeads
“I think we will see some other interesting ingredients in exfoliators this year to replace the plastic beads. People are becoming more environmentally aware and realise that plastic microbeads are bad for the environment so are turning to a more natural alternative.” - The Jojoba Company co-founder Vicki Engsall
Diet
“Diet and the skin are going to get a lot more focus as people will learn to understand the strong connection between what we eat and the health of our skin. Expect to see diets created not for the body but rather for the skin, including detoxification, anti-ageing and skin clarification.” - Dermalogica education manager Emma Hobson
True personalisation
“The key difference between 2015 and 2016 is the consumer demand for true personalisation within the skincare category. Consumers are so much more aware of their own health and often identify with more than just one skincare concern.” - Dermalogica marketing manager Julia Ramanadhan
