5 Beauty Trends for 2021

The beauty industry is in constant evolution, whether moved by consumer demand or by its own innovative spirit. This ever-changing industry has been facing some interesting challenges not only because of the recent change in our way of living but also due to environmental concerns. This post is our take on what we believe will be some of the challenges and trends for 2021.

Sustainability

Sustainable beauty is a concept that has come to stay and will definitely define the way we look at beauty products in the coming years. It is not just about brands claiming to be “green”, “natural” or even “clean”. Being “Natural” is not enough, people look for sustainability and they want proof.

Consumers are increasingly more demanding and access to information is global. So, they want to know for a fact what brands are doing to protect the world we live in. Some things to watch for are recycling practices, packaging materials, the sustainability of natural ingredients, or the carbon footprint of the companies. This is a lot to take on, it is a true challenge for the cosmetic industry that is, as always, reinventing itself to answer to consumer demands.

Sustainability applies to all players in the industry. Even though we most commonly hear it about brands, it can also be applied to retailers or ingredients and packaging producers, for instance.

Blue Beauty

Blue Beauty is a movement wider than the “Green Beauty” one we have all heard about by this point. This movement intends to stimulate the protection of the oceans and water sources, the reduction of the carbon footprint, and also the sustainability of the ingredients and packaging. The goal is to reduce the impact of the industry on the water, through sustainable practices.

We have already seen the rise of some of these sustainability movements in the past. And, even if they do not last till this day, they were important in the same measure as the attention they called to the issue. They made brands look for more sustainable and environmental-friendly practices while keeping the everyday hustle of the industry. Nowadays, it is not only the consumers who are more demanding, brands also are.

Personalization

Despite of being one same race and the apparent similarities, human beings are all different from each other. The proof of our uniqueness is our genetic code, we cannot deny that each individual is unique. This opens the door to the possibility of customizing everything to the individual needs of each and every one of us. And skin and hair care are not an exception. We have all come to realize that apparently similar individuals with the same skin type can have distinct reactions to a cosmetic product. So, wouldn’t it be better if we could have cosmetics developed for our own needs?

As I am sure you are thinking right now, this poses a tremendous challenge for the industry. Nevertheless, progress has been made. We can already shop in a department store for a common base cream and add different combinations of active ingredients depending on our skin type and needs. Brands are evolving and catching the customization train. However, even though products adapted according to the genetics of each person are already a reality they are not within the reach of the majority of the population, It is a path that we are still on.

Simplicity in the formulas

Simplicity does not mean basic formulas, but instead the elimination of all “filling” and unnecessary ingredients. Stick to what is essential and focus on the active ingredients could be the motto. This is a rising trend in the industry that is partly due to the willingness of consumers to know the composition of formulas and their mode of action. Consumers are now more informed and therefore demand more transparency from brands, which also leads them to remove from formulas ingredients whose function is “inexplicable” and manifestly unnecessary.

Artificial Intelligence applied to beauty

This is a true open field for progress. There are literally tousands of possibilities! Consequently, some brands have already rushed to assess the possibilities and already have very advanced projects in this area.
From mobile applications to show us how we look when applying products of a certain brand to mirrors for stores that are virtual assistants, who suggest products to us and where we can see ourselves with make-up without having applied it. We trust that next year will bring a lot of innovation and surprises in this field. Some brands will be launching new applications and tools that use artificial intelligence and we cannot wait to try them!

Can you tell that we are looking forward to all the news and innovation that 2021 will bring to cosmetics? And don’t worry, we will tell you about about it throughout the year!