Want to experience a glow by the end of the year? Read on!
Going makeup free during the COVID-19 pandemic has whipped up interest in skincare, with people spending more on in-clinic aesthetic treatments and buying more skincare products. As of 2022, revenues in the beauty and personal care industry have reached US$534 billion. Of this, the skincare segment makes up a total revenue of US$153.30 billion, growing at a CAGR rate of 5.19% in the next five years.
Influencer culture is another reason the skincare sector is doing so well, thanks to content creators who have actively promoted the “that girl” and “clean girl” aesthetics. While the former promotes a focus on wellness, the latter is about looking put together without doing copious amounts of makeup. In their own ways, skincare is seen as an integral element in both aesthetics. If you want to take better care of yourself before the new year rolls in but are unsure where to start, here are some trends you should consider trying out.
Retinol
Retinol has been the holy grail of skincare influencers this year. As of November this year, it has reached its peak popularity in Google Trends, with searches for the term increasing steadily ever since.
Retinol is a form of vitamin A used to treat acne and reduce signs of aging. It increases collagen production, which contributes to the elasticity of your skin. If you are looking for an anti-aging treatment, consider combining a 0.04% retinol product with sunscreen. By doing so, you will see a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles after a couple of months.
Gua Sha
The second-biggest beauty trend this year was Gua Sha. Searches for #GuaSha on TikTok have reached 976.9 million views as of writing this article. The same hashtag also has 583,798 posts under it on Instagram. While it has only recently exploded in popularity, the practice of Gua Sha originated in ancient China, with records dating back to the Ming dynasty between 1368 and 1644.
The Gua Sha treatment involves scraping a smooth-edged “Gua Sha stone” over the skin to increase blood flow, stimulate lymphatic drainage and contour your face. If you want to give yourself a Gua Sha treatment, make sure to apply some face oil before sweeping the tool (with very little pressure) over your face for some lubrication. Also, you should apply different Gua Sha techniques depending on which part of the face you start with. For instance, if you begin from the center of your chin, scrape the stone towards the earlobe to shape your jawline; if you start at the nose, move upward towards your cheeks.
Hyaluronic acid
If you want a plump and hydrated face, the skincare ingredient you must look for is hyaluronic acid. Also called hyaluronan, hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by the human body, such as between our joints and tissues. However, we still need it in our skincare products because other factors, such as age, smoking habits and exposure to pollutants, can reduce our bodily production of hyaluronic acid.
In the skin, hyaluronic acid combines with water molecules and helps your skin maintain hydration. Without proper hydration levels, your skin barrier is more susceptible to damage by environmental factors, which can lead to skin conditions, like atopic dermatitis, rosacea and acne.
NiacinamideÂ
With over 744.1 million views on the #niacinamide on TikTok, this is another incredibly well-known skincare ingredient that a lot of content creators vouch for. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 used to treat acne, aging skin and skin discoloration. It promotes the synthesis of lipids and proteins that make up the epidermal barrier.
By strengthening your skin barrier, niacinamide makes you less prone to irritation and improves the skin’s moisture level. It has also been known to block the production of the enzyme responsible for skin pigmentation, resulting in an overall brighter skin complexion. The best part of using niacinamide is that you can combine it with all other skincare ingredients (like retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid). It also doesn’t cause irritation, even on sensitive skin.
Skin minimalism
With so many products and skincare ingredients endorsed by influencers, it can be hard to decide which one deserves a place in your routine and which doesn’t—that is where skin minimalism comes in. It involves using the basics—a cleanser, a simple moisturizer and sun protection—on your skin. This way, you can just let your face be, scars and all, and the skin can focus on repairing itself without being overwhelmed by active ingredients, which probably don’t even belong together in the first place.
With the hashtag #skinminimalism getting 847.1 million views on TikTok, this trend has been gaining traction, which should come as no surprise because using too many skincare products simultaneously can result in acne and skin irritation.
While everything on this list can be beneficial if used properly, perhaps we should all take a major lesson from the skin minimalism trend to be mindful of what we put on our faces. Just because all your favorite influencers are following an elaborate skincare regimen with 12 steps or so, it doesn’t mean you have to as well. After all, we all have different skin types, and there is no one-size-fits-all skincare approach.
As 2023 approaches, we will probably see new trends emerge when the older trends die out, but that doesn’t mean you should buy a completely new skincare routine for yourself. Whatever new trend you intend to try out, make sure to introduce products gradually to your skin to see whether they work for you. Remember that skin repair takes time, and you won’t see results overnight, so give your products time to work their magic.
Also read:
- How You Can Launch a Sustainable Skincare Brand in 2022
- The Shade Range Game: Why It Is High Time for Inclusive Makeup
- What Is Wearable Beauty?
Header image courtesy of Freepik
