A quick quiz in a few of your mates’ bathroom cabinets and it’s instantly clear just how much of a moment skincare is having. Today, a skincare routine is so much more than just a daily necessity; instead, it’s an opportunity to indulge in self-care, absorb information, and explore innovation. From cultural shifts, or a deeper understanding of the ingredients in skincare products, to the packaging they’re made from, everything is under the consumer microscope. The concept may be age-old, but the skincare industry is being forced to better itself, thus creating a far more transparent platform than ever before. Partially due to the wealth of information available, consumers have become smarter in the choices they are making. The year 2023 is going to see a boom in many trends and treatments, and we’re here for it.

Notox

Say goodbye to needles with the rise of more intelligent plumping and firming technologies and thus products.

For years, Botox has been the go-to procedure for youthful skin, but today we are witnessing a shift away from invasive sessions at the doc.

Research suggests products that have instant results have the greatest appeal, especially if they can be needle-free and come without the hefty price tag. From plumping creams and skin-lifting devices to de-puffing eye treatments, we expect 2023 to bring a wave of launches that use innovative technologies — some never showcased before — and peeled-back ingredients.

Think “tweakment-like” results as we begin to see a wider variety of options available to us.

Helpful hybrids

As many of us seek out ways to reduce the number of products we use daily as we become increasingly conscious of excessive consumption (that’s us), 2023 could be the year you sort a minimal beauty bag with maximum benefits. We for one welcome the rise of the hybrid cosmetic/skincare regime (hopefully) set to take over in the next 12 months.

The ‘buy less, buy better’ adage has never been more applicable to beauty. Streamlined routines are fast becoming a priority, with many looking to ditch the excessive 10-step routines and product-hopping.

Products offering multi-functions are key to the development of sustainable skincare. The popularity of skincare/make-up hybrids may be in response to consumers elevated awareness towards ingredients, their understanding of overconsumption, according to experts.

A fab benefit of this concept is also that we avoid make-up build-up which can exasperate conditions including acne and rosacea.

Who wouldn’t want the natural glow of skincare and the flawless finish of make-up all bottled up in one magic potion? We are in.

Menopause skin

Following innovative lab research into the key symptoms of perimenopause and menopause on the skin, it’s clear this is a thing – even if we’d rather not go there!

Just like in puberty, pregnancy and postpartum, your hormone levels are all over the place during menopause, with the imbalance resulting in complexion upset.

For years, menopause was a term not being given the required amount of attention in the domain of beauty, but not anymore. Last year we witnessed changes, but in 2023 the industry will reach new heights.

During menopause, skin becomes dryer, duller, more sensitive, and thinner, while the repair takes longer. Moiturisers, serums, and mists dedicated to turning things around are popular choices for obvious reasons.

Lack of firmness? Go for retinol. And if fine lines are creeping in, opt to add some peptide love to your routine. Salicylic acid is the answer if you're experiencing menopausal breakouts, while dull skin can be tackled with an exfoliating acid toner and extra swipes of vitamin C.

Refill me

We’re officially onboard, just on the utter of these two wonderful words.

What if you had the chance to refill your skincare products instead of buying a new one altogether? Would you? The majority in 2023 look like they’ll start answering “YES”!

Sales of refillable make-up products increased by a whopping 364% in the period from January 2022 to the end of July 2022. The even better news is this figure was reported despite the sales growth in the total make-up market, which reportedly increased by just 30% in the same period. That means there’s been a definite shift going forward.

As consumers become more conscious of the importance of sustainability and their role in promoting it, there has also been a corresponding rise in sales of refillable beauty products. Yep, it’s official: refillable products are becoming more mainstream. Great news.

The “shroom” boom

A trend already mushrooming is the popularity of potent mushrooms in skincare products. All the big guns are doing it but, what’s more interesting, is tracking the more affordable and sustainable brands that are also jumping on board.

No, it’s not quite as simple as rubbing maitake mushrooms on your face, but many brands have perfected the science behind the addition and are easy to add into your daily regime. Encapsulating the mushroom in the correct way increases its penetration into the skin’s deep layers and absorption through the cell membranes.

Mushrooms are experiencing a major moment right now, but they’ve been a part of beauty recipes and product formulations for hundreds, perhaps even thousands of years. The only question could be, is it the way of the future or just another passing ingredient trend? Perhaps 2023 will tell us?

Experts claim the skincare benefits of mushrooms — ashwagandha, chaga, Cordyceps, reishi, and snow — are huge. They are a super-effective and sustainable ingredient with a broad range of almost immediate benefits.

The trend appears to be growing as science is finding better extraction techniques, as well as a better understanding of combining mushrooms with other ingredients.