Consumers, especially millennials and members of gen Z, are willing to pay a premium for transparent products and show fealty to transparent brands – Beauty Independent
Consumers have recently become more conscious of the choices they make which has been brought about by a new movement of interest within health and ethics. Due to this, they are now more likely to take notice of ingredient labels. Understanding what goes into our products promotes demand for transparency and in result, better ingredients; this is why we now have a growing selection of brands that are working towards meeting our demands and fulfilling consumer expectations. With that, it’s more common to find a lot of buzz around specific ingredients that consumers notice are working for them. Let’s have a look at some of the latest trending ingredients in the market today.
DRAGON FRUIT EXTRACT
The dragon fruit extract has been a popular natural ingredient in China and well known from an ancient legend that claims that the Fruit was created thousands of years ago forged in a dragon’s breath. It is believed that anyone who nurtures the fruit will be blessed with immortality and preservation like the dragon. Although it’s only a myth, there is some truth in the anti-aging effects of the extract. IBR Ltd informs us that the ingredient holds innate defense mechanisms as a result of growing in dry, tropical climates. The domains they contain are able to slow down cell proliferation, providing your and more radiant skin. According to a blog post on Huda Beauty “Why Dragon Fruit is the Next Big Thing”, this ingredient is also a great affordable option for DIY lovers. If you are interested in giving it a try, Revolution’s Skincare x Jake Jamie Dragon Fruit Face Mask or Faith in Nature’s dragon fruit toiletry collection some of which are available in boots.
ELECTROLYTES
Paula’s Choice Electrolyte Moisturizer is, according to reviews, one of the most hydrating options on the market; for anyone who has wondered why, the answers in the title, electrolytes! Whilst most of you probably associate the term with workout/energy drinks, they are just as effective in beauty. According to Dr. Rabach, “electrolytes help you retain water because your blood is not made up of just water alone, but a solution of water mixed with electrolytes”. Those who struggle with dehydrated skin may find that they benefit from adding an electrolyte-infused product to their skincare routine.
POLYHYDROXY ACIDS (PHAS)
Nearly every skincare junkie has or at least considered swapping their physical scrubs for a chemical exfoliant. Whilst pretty much every skincare guru will tell you that products with AHA’s or BHA’s are the safer and less harsh option in comparison to most products with physical grains, we all know that they are not the most gentle ingredients in beauty and should not be used without caution, especially for those with sensitive skin. Fortunately, the market is offering new products such as The Inkey List’s PHA toner, Polypep’s Collagen Boosting Serum S8 and CosRx Low pH PHA Barrier Mist, formulated with polyhydroxy acids (PHA’s), a gentle and some have said a more moisturizing new generation of AHA’s providing similar results but are less likely to irritate the skin. They exfoliate and repair damage by removing dead skin, but do not penetrate as deeply into the skin as other exfoliating acids.
NIACINAMIDE
Niacinamide is another ingredient buzzing around the skincare community and like many others, has a number of benefits, but is especially effective for the skins overall immunity. Niacinamide helps to build keratin, a well-known type of protein in hair care but also supports the skin by keeping it firm and healthy. There have also been reports of improving symptoms of acne, hyperpigmentation, and inflammation; the anti-inflammatory properties are especially helpful for treating the redness and swelling that comes with acne, in addition to regulating the amount of oil being produced in our glans, it also works to balance skin tone which will help fade any scarring. If you think that you may benefit from this ingredient, products on the market containing this ingredient include Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster and The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + zinc 1% as a more affordable option.
CICA
Centella Asiatica, or Cica, is a plant that has been known for its medicinal healing properties in Asia for years. Packed amino acids, fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins A, B, and C, it has now become a popular choice in the K-beauty market used for treating damaged skin from rejuvenation to decreasing sensitivity. If you are interested in Cica, Revolution is offering a collection of Cica infused products in various forms from a tonic to their moisture cream and multi-use balm.
Until recently, it was more common for trends to center around skincare products as a whole rather than ingredients alone, but now, our attitudes towards analysing what goes into our products are pushing brands in the same direction. This is also inspiring new cosmetic research and studies that will help us better understand what ingredients we should be looking for. Whilst all the ingredients listed hold evidence of their value, the extent of how much they will work is subjective to the consumer’s skin. That’s where the importance of trial and error comes in; it’s through experimentation that we can best discover what ingredients work with our skin, ultimately putting together a skincare collection tailored for ourselves.
Out of the listed ingredients, which do you think would be most suitable for you?
