New products, tools and techniques come out in the beauty and wellness space every single day, with each one promising life-altering results – so much so that it can be difficult to keep track and know which ones are actually legit.
Below, BD has eliminated the tricky guesswork by doing a deep dive into some of the market’s most recent beauty innovations – from devices and tools to hybrid beauty products and the latest and greatest in ingredients.
Devices and tools
According to a report by award-winning market research solution, REPORTLINKER, the beauty devices market in Europe is anticipated to reach AUD $30,182.46 million in 2027 – a significant increase from AUD $12,551.06 million in 2019.
This is why it comes as no surprise that beauty devices and tools are becoming more advanced with every launch, especially as many turn to beauty as a form of self-care during self-isolation.
FOREO, for instance, recently launched its highly-anticipated new smart microcurrent facial toning device – the BEAR Mini. This device, which has been labelled as FOREO’s ‘fiercest’ product yet, joins the BEAR in a new category for the brand – microcurrent technology. The Mini has been designed with a more targeted facial workout in mind, and therefore has small spheres to get into the small crevices of the face, making it perfect for contouring. It is also used in conjunction with an App, which allows users to customise settings to suit their skin.
According to FOREO education manager, Kiera Bahrij, the BEAR and BEAR Mini are the only devices on the market combining microcurrent technology, T-sonic pulsations, Anti Shock System and App connectivity.
“The BEAR Mini’s innovative Anti-Shock System uses ultra-smart sensors to scan and measure your skin’s resistance to electricity at a rate of 100x per second,” Bahrij said. “It then automatically adjusts the microcurrent (in just 0.002 seconds – quicker than you can even think of blinking!) to best suit your skin. As a result, Anti-Shock System eliminates any chance of the microcurrent shocking your skin, resulting in maximum comfort, safety and enhanced effectiveness for an unwavering quality of treatment every time.”
Another device making huge waves in the beauty world is the Manicare Nova FIT Face Massager – a rechargeable facial massager clinically proven and backed by scientific research. Designed with electronic muscle stimulation technology, it helps to transform any in-home, age defying skincare routine with its two modes: Skin fitness mode and Relaxation mode.
Utilising electronic muscle stimulation technology, Nova FIT creates mini workouts via gentle contractions on the often forgotten forty-three facial muscles; to improve tone, firmness and support skin rejuvenation for a healthy, glowy appearance. It can be used with any preferred serums or moisturisers for an ‘age-defying’ facial at home.
Manicare believes this kind of technology will ‘most definitely’ evolve over the coming years, saying “The Australian skincare device market has grown rapidly over the last five years with the increasing awareness of skincare active results. Trends from J-Beauty, K-Beauty, and celebrities' beauty diaries have acted as catalysts to grow the Australian market, with consumers demanding more effective results.”
FOREO’s Bahrij agreed, adding “FOREO has always been known to search for what’s lacking and forge a modern user-centric solution. They are constantly improving their already innovative designs. For example, the LUNA device launched seven years ago has now evolved into the LUNA 3 to keep ahead of customers' needs. There's no saying where they could take the BEAR range.”
Hybrid beauty products
Over the past couple of years, the ‘skinification’ of hair and makeup has reached brand new heights – and it’s only just getting started.
According to an article by Glossy, more and more hair care brands have moved beyond the basic scalp scrub to debut the likes of scalp serums and lotions, while also adding more skincare-like ingredients such as caffeine, salicylic acid, CBD and probiotics into product formulas.
Brands such as DE LORENZO and NU SKIN® were ahead of the game with the launch of hair serums, while WELLA PROFESSIONALS boasts a whole host of unique hair treatments and lotions. Most recently, ANDALOU launched an age-defying scalp intensive treatment that helps to stimulate cell renewal to encourage growth for thinning hair by fortifying, amplifying and strengthening the hair.
And with the help of these products, the global hair care market is expected to increase at a growth rate of over three per cent to $211 billion by 2025, according to a REPORT BY GRAND VIEW RESEARCH.
Similarly, makeup products with skincare-like ingredients have seen steady growth in recent years. Many brands are moving on from thick pigment-filled formulas to those with good-for-your-skin ingredients.
Hyaluronic acid, for instance, is one ingredient with impressive skin benefits, namely because it can retain 1000 times its weight in water. NYX Professional launched a plumping lip polish earlier this year, which is infused with ginger and hyaluronic acid to stimulate and hydrate the lips. Meanwhile, Skin Physics Foundation No More BB Cream SPF 30+ is also formulated with hyaluronic acid for its hydration properties, as well as SPF, antioxidants, botanical oils and other beneficial additions.
BD also recommends: Nutrimetics Nutri-Rich Nourishing Lip Oil, Natio Semi-Matte Full Coverage Foundation, Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Cream Blush, Revlon PhotoReady CandidGlow™ Anti-Pollution Foundation, jane iredale Beyond Matte Lip Fixation Lip Stain and Sisley Paris Phyto Hydra Teint.
Latest and greatest ingredients
Every year, the beauty industry sees a good deal of new ‘miracle’ beauty ingredients burst onto the scene, and 2020 is no different.
To learn more about some of these ingredients, BD spoke with founder of The Wellness Group and co-founder of GMC Cosmedical, Madeline Calfas; as well as owner of Blanc Skin and co-founder of The Secret Skincare, Dr Clara Hurst.
Cannabidiol
Also known as CBD, cannabidiol is the naturally-occurring chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. It is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, meaning it doesn’t contain any THC.
According to Calfas, it has been shown to have very strong antioxidant and anti inflammatory effects, which makes it ideal for treating dryness, inflammation and free radical damage caused by the sun and environmental exposure.
“There is also a belief that it can be beneficial when it comes to acne as it has shown an ability to help regulate sebum (oil) production, as well as helping with the inflammation caused by infection,” she told BD.
However, skincare isn’t the only category reaping the benefits of CBD. Hair, for example, is said to respond marvelously. Since every strand is made out of protein, CBD oil is incredibly effective in combating dry hair. This is because it contains 21 amino acids – the building blocks of protein.
BD recommends: Kiehl's Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate and Design.ME Gloss.ME Hydrating Shampoo, Conditioner and Treatment Mask.
Skin probiotics
“Just as there is a microbiome inside our GIT (gastrointestinal tract), similarly we have a microbiome on our skin,” Calfas said. “Bacteria, fungi and viruses play an integral role in the balance and maintenance of our skin, and, like within our gut, when this balance is lopsided, problems start to appear.
If you have stomach complaints, you will most likely include a probiotic to help restore the microbiome balance. When your skin microbiome is disrupted, issues such as acne, eczema, dermatitis and general inflammation can arise, and one of the first places to start is by restoring the microbial balance.”
Other categories affected by microbiome include the scalp. Symptoms of an out-of-balance scalp microbiome can result in inhibited future hair growth, as well as strands that become increasingly dry, brittle and fragile.
Unsurprisingly, 2020’s beauty sleuths have well and truly already taken advantage of microbiome-balanced beauty products. In fact, searches for ‘microbiome’ have skyrocketed this year, with almost 10,000 enquiring minds Googling the term each month.
BD recommends: Ilcsi Probiotic Moisturizer, Andalou Probiotic + C Renewal Cream, Minenssey Hydrating Complete Eye Cream, DMK Enbioment™ Serum, Schwarzkopf BIO-TECH Pro-Balance Shampoo and Conditioner, Swisse Ultibiotic Daily Digestive Probiotic and Dermalogica Active Clay Cleanser.
Bakuchiol
Another great new innovation making tremendous waves at the moment is bakuchiol, said Dr Hurst.
Bakuchiol comes from the leaves and seeds of the Psorlea corylifolia plant. It has come to the forefront of the beauty industry as an alternative to retinol, providing the benefits of retinol but without the potential side-effects, such as skin irritations like redness, patchiness, itchiness and flaky skin. Unlike retinol, it is also safe for pregnant women.
Calfas told BD that clinical studies have shown bakuchiol to be just as effective as retinol when it comes to collagen stimulation, improvement of fine lines and wrinkles, elasticity, firmness and pigmentation.
BD recommends: Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides Retinol Alternative Peptide-Infused Serum, Arbonne's new AgeWell range, Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum and Rodan + Fields REDEFINE Overnight Restorative Cream.
BD also recommends the following products with new and innovative ingredients: Glow Lab Rosehip Oil +Plus, tbh Skincare acne hack cream and Dr. LeWinn's Eternal Youth Jellyfish Collagen Hydrating Face Mask.
