Are You Ready for the Skincare Trends Set to Dominate 2025?

In reviewing the forecast for skincare ingredients in 2025, we have examined several scientific reviews, award-winning cosmetic chemists, and several cosmetic research companies to identify the common threads that will feature strongly in the year ahead. 

Fueled by consumer-shifting trends, formulators are now seeking innovative ways to stand out in the market. Here are just some to review:

Peptides for skin plumpness and prejuvenation

• While the glass skin with its satin glow featured strongly in 2024, the focus for 2025 will be a move towards skin plumpness and bounce.
• To support this trend, we will see a rise in formulations using pro-collagen peptides that reinforce skin elasticity and boost plumpness. 

How Are Peptides Shaping the Future of Skincare for Gen Z and Millennials?

• However, peptides will not just focus on skin correction, they will also fuel the prejuvenation skincare movement.

• With an emphasis on the proactive approach for Gen Zs and Millennials, rather than waiting to reverse signs of ageing the emphasis will also strongly feature prevention.

Peptides offer great potential in this regard as scientist Dr Mindy Goldstein, Ph.D. explains.  “Think of them as specific messengers. 

They anchor onto receptors on the surface of the cell and initiate other molecules to be made that act on the cell function.  The messenger peptide and the receptor work like a lock and key to activate the necessary proteins to maintain younger-looking skin”.

• To support this trend “Marine Collagen Peptides” as a nutritional drink will also promoted and in high demand. 

Skin flooding is based on the concept of tapping into hydrating ingredients and layering them to intensify hydration levels.

Now Skin Flooding 2.0 takes this one step further with the combination of ingredients that enhance hydration levels while also providing additional skin benefits, such as lowering inflammation and restoring the skin’s immune defence.

As award-winning cosmetic chemist Irwin Palefsky points out, “There are effective materials like hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA and glycerine that have been around for decades, however, when combined and delivered through advanced techniques and technologies, they can provide a higher level of hydration benefits by reaching to the deeper layers of the skin.”

Keep an eye out for the newest class hydration trailblazers such as:

Ectoin

• This super-hydrator forms a protective hydrating film around the cells, shielding them from stressors and promoting resilient, dewy skin.

Hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate

• Considered the next generation hyaluronic acid that penetrates deeper and adherers better for long-lasting hydration.

Glycogen

• This powerhouse, plant-derived humectant helps replenish the skin’s natural supply of ceramides for supercharged hydration.

The skin-mind connection

• As the link between self-care and mental wellness becomes more widely understood, expect to see a steady stream of products claiming skin-to-brain benefits. 
• We’re anticipating the likes of mood-boosting serums, solutions for cortisol face and skin care products that connect with the senses in new ways.
• These inventions are tapping into neurocosmetics, psychodermatology and emotional sensory perception.  However, make sure such claims are supported by scientific studies as not all will live up to their claims.

As formulation chemist Ramya Viswanathan explains, “When it comes to the skin-to-brain connection through the use of cosmetics, we have historically seen product attributes related to sensory perceptions, including aromas, textures and physical sensations that were associated with positive ‘feel good’ types of emotions. 

The new wave of neurocosmetics takes it a step further by looking at the biological activity of certain ingredients on stress hormones like cortisol.  While we do see this data in vitro, there is opportunity for more research that demonstrates in vivo results that aren’t related to the sensory attributes in a formula.”  Let’s look more closely as emerging studies continue to roll out.

Tech-powered beauty

• From the advances in skin consultations to on-the-go-ingredient analysis, technology and AI in skincare are transforming the industry as we know it. 
• As such, 2025 promises to push the boundaries even further in fields such as dermatology where AI is already being used to predict clinical outcomes.

• Dr Beth McLellan, dermatologist and researcher at Supportive Oncodermatology adds, “It is an exciting time to see how AI will best transform dermatology.  My hope is for AI to help patients gain accurate information and free up physicians to spend more time listening and talking to their patients.”

New frontiers in skincare

• Perhaps one of the most exciting frontiers that is starting to emerge is novel ingredients that are often found in supplements, now starting to feature strongly in skincare. 

• Of course, we are all aware of traditional ingredients such as vitamins like C, A and Niacinamide (B3). 
• Prepare to hear more about futuristic-sounding ingredients like polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), new advances in growth factors, NAD+ and the ever-growing popularity of exosomes in skincare. 
• While some have only a small amount of scientific backing, others show exciting promises for skin repair and substantially lowering the signs of ageing.

We are beginning to see the emergence of NAD+ precursors that enable skin to produce its own NAD+, unlocking new possibilities for skin longevity.

This potentially could be groundbreaking.  In the meantime, stay loyal to safeguarding the body’s genetic blueprint through broad-spectrum sunscreen and continue to review ongoing research and enhance your skin ingredient education.

Through APAN’s APJ Journal, expect to see the very latest ingredient updates and research findings continue to feature in each issue.