The Most Innovative, Exciting Skincare Trends You’ll Want to Keep Your Eye (Um, Face!?) On
Every year, the world of beauty trends, skincare routines, body care, and professional treatments has gotten more innovative and cutting-edge. From advanced formulas and technology, to unassuming ingredients and techniques, there’s really never a dull moment in the skincare space. Up to this point, we’ve seen almost every skin concern met with a fix or aid, from brightening, skin barrier repair, and hyperpigmentation, to more serious skin conditions and problematic skin texture or sensitive skin. There finally seems to be a fitting beauty brand or product for every individual’s needs. We can’t say for sure what will stick around and what will be a short-lived fad—but we can say there are some really exciting 2024 skincare trends our experts have seen rising.
Skincare is part of our self-care routine, so we always enjoy maintaining our skin health, even if we’re not dealing with anything serious. Whether it’s a Gen Z-driven launch or something more advanced in the world of Botox or retinoids, we’re always on the edge of our seats to learn what’s next in the world of beauty products. Each year, the skincare industry can rely on tried-and-true, dermatologist-approved brands. For example, “Science-backed, high-efficacy products will continue to evolve as consumers continue to demand transparency and results,” says skincare expert Michelle Shieh.
In the past, we saw a boom in peptide popularity, along with personalized skincare and skin cycling. And the conversation surrounding sustainability continues to be an industry force. While none of those seem to be dying down, this year has presented its own breakout skincare stars. The skincare market is bigger than ever, with so much progression ahead. From ingredients to treatments and more, below are 12 skincare trends you need to know—along with the buzzwords and skincare brands we can expect to see everywhere.
Meet the Expert
Orla Stewart-Becker, PA-C, is a physician assistant to Jay Calvert, MD, at RoxSpa Beverly Hills medspa.
Michelle Shieh is the AMOREPACIFIC Senior Scientific Communications Manager at SULWHASOO skincare.
Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, DCNP, is a doctor of nursing practice and a nurse practitioner certified in family medicine and dermatology. You can find her at Orentreich Medical Group in New York.
Emme Diane Burg is an Arizona-based esthetician and founder of EMME DIANE skincare.
Varuni Palacios is an esthetician and founder of Studio Varuni in Los Angeles.
1. Barrier Repair + Care
It seems like we’re finally cutting out the middle man, and getting straight to skin barrier protection within the treatment products themselves. “Moisture barriers are finally getting the attention they deserve, thankfully,” says Arizona-based esthetician Emme Diane Burg. “While ‘slugging’ had its time to shine a few years back, I’ve noticed a shift this year toward more long-term solutions. Instead of a quick fix like slathering your face in vaseline to repair a damaged barrier, people are becoming more mindful of preventing damage in the first place and protecting it.”
Burg continues: “Consumers are turning to products formulated with barrier-nourishing ingredients like ceramides, antioxidants, and plant extracts to not only repair any damage but also nourish and strengthen the moisture barrier over time. This approach is key, as a healthy barrier is truly fundamental to achieving that healthy, smooth and clear complexion that everyone is looking for. After years of aggressive exfoliation and overuse of active ingredients resulting in damaged skin barriers, people are becoming more aware of how crucial this outermost layer of skin is to overall skin health.”
If slugging—which can clog pores—is no longer your thing, get straight to barrier protection with a barrier cream, like DR. JART Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream. It’s supercharged with the necessary ingredients to help increase the skin’s barrier strength, moisture, and bounce.
2. Hypochlorous Acid Sprays
While these types of sprays aren’t new, we have to credit the popularity of the TOWER 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray for getting “hypochlorous acid” into our 2024 vocabulary. (Check out TOWER 28 founder Amy Liu’s Hitting Pan episode to hear more about the making of this breakthrough facial mist.)
“Hypochlorous acid sprays have had a surge in popularity this year, especially for those with acne-prone skin,” says Burg. “Hypochlorous acid has been used in wound care for a long time, due to its ability to help fight off bacteria and reduce inflammation, so it makes sense why people want to use it.”
That said, Burg warns to err on the side of caution with these types of products. “As with most skincare trends, this one has gotten a bit tricky to navigate, as people have run with it in different ways on social media,” she explains. “Lately, I’ve seen an over-reliance on these sprays, with more and more people treating them as a cure-all for acne, and even using them in place of cleansing style="color: #e7165d;"after a sweaty workout to give the skin that ‘clean’ feeling.”
So, what’s the issue? “This can be problematic because while these sprays can help keep bacteria on the surface in check, they aren’t designed to actually clean the skin,” Burg goes on to say. “So oil, dirt, sweat, makeup, and other impurities stay in the pores, which—you guessed it—can cause breakouts. Aside from that, these sprays can also mess with the skin’s healthy microbiome over time leading to more problems like dryness and irritation. It’s kind of like putting a Band-Aid on a bigger issue. While these types of sprays can be helpful for some people, it’s important to remember that they aren’t a quick fix, aren’t suitable for all skin types, and should never be used in place of a comprehensive routine.”
3. Skin Tech
We’ve seen red light masks in the past, but skincare trends as of late have taken skin tech to new heights. “Nothing will ever replace the power of touch with human hands in my book, but it’s super fun to see the way the industry’s exploded with new skin tech this year,” says esthetician Varuni Palacios. “Both in the treatment room and on retail shelves, we’ve seen demand for LED light therapy devices, facial cryotherapy devices, hydradermabrasion devices, and more. Every week, brands release new tech that promises to heal, even, clear, lift, sculpt, tighten, and tone.”
She lists some of her personal favorites as the THERABODY Theraface Pro, OMNILUXE LED light therapy devices, and ice globes for at home. Additionally, she relies on the HYDRAFACIAL device for a clinical deep-cleanse, and pairs it with LIGHTISM LED light therapy, O2 DERM oxygen therapy, and microcurrent and radiofrequency therapies to boost her treatments.
4. SPF Makeup
SPF skin tints are nothing new (though they’ll always be a staple in our routines!), but this year has SPF makeup popping up in all different capacities. “We’ve shouted from the hilltops about the importance of using SPF to prevent sun damage, aging, and skin cancer, so it makes perfect sense that it’s finally appearing in makeup—a one-two punch,” says Palacios.
She credits brands like COLORESCIENCE and CIELE COSMETICS as examples of brands “taking it way further than tinted SPF, too. We’re seeing it in blush, bronzer, and eyeshadow, and it’s super fun. It’s a sure way to ensure greater adoption of sun protection and sun damage prevention measures.”
If you want to take your SPF measures to the next level, we recommend implementing the PÜR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 into your routine. It serves as a multi-hyphenate face makeup product, while also offering an added layer of SPF. Whether you use this or something else, it’s always still imperative to apply your usual layer of sunscreen underneath an SPF makeup product.
5. Beef Tallow Skincare
While plant-based beauty has been all the rage, Palacios is seeing an uptick in beef tallow as a hydrating skincare ingredient. That said, you’re not doomed if you refuse to let an animal product touch your skin.
“Beef tallow as a moisturizer is something that trended on TikTok for quite a while in early 2024,” she says. “It’s beef fat that’s been cooked down with impurities removed. Is it going to hydrate your skin? Yes, because it’s packed with lipids, which our skin loves. Are there nicer, more elegant, and less barbaric options on the market to achieve the same result and provide additional benefits? Also yes.”
6. Adaptogens in Skincare
Adaptogenic ingredients, especially mushrooms, have stolen the spotlight in 2024. A once-divisive yet versatile consumable veggie has morphed into a real jack of all trades.
“While they’ve been staples in wellness and herbal medicine for centuries, we’re now seeing [adaptogens] incorporated into skincare products to help the skin cope with stress and environmental factors,” Burg explains. “There’s definitely been a shift in how we approach skincare, and as more attention is being paid to how things like pollution, stress, diet, and lifestyle factors affect skin health, it’s no surprise that more brands are turning to adaptogens to strengthen the skin’s natural defenses and take a more holistic approach.”
There’s likely a chance you’ve seen “chaga” or “reishi” pop up in your serums and moisturizers—and for good reason. “The long-term benefits they offer for calming, nourishing, and protecting the skin are just too good to ignore,” says Burg, who launched her own chaga-infused product, the EMME DIANE Barrier Balance Replenishing Adaptogen Cream.
Our Ipsters are big fans of the ORIGINS Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion. It contains both chaga and reishi (along with licorice root and hyaluronic acid), to offer hydration, soothing, and minimizing the appearance of pores. “I’ve gone through a whole bottle, and I’m back for more. Love this stuff,” said one IPSY subscriber in their product review.
7. AI-Driven Skincare
Artificial intelligence (aka AI) was a major theme of last year. Whether in terms of beauty, editorial, video, you name it—there’s been no escaping artificial intelligence. And the use of AI in beauty, and everywhere else for that matter, is only expected to grow in the coming years.
“The integration of advanced technology like AI will remain a prominent trend,” says Shieh. “With advanced technologies like AI fueling research in skincare, researchers will be able to understand the skin more deeply and create more inclusive solutions for different skin tones and skin types.”
Nurse practitioner, Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, reaffirms that statement. “Skin scanners have been developed as tools for personal skincare—whether it’s on your phone or device or in an app,” she says. “They can measure and evaluate different features and characteristics of an individual’s skin, including redness, moisturization, scarring, and more. Then a product is recommended based on these readings, tailoring the skincare products or makeup to that particular person. AI-driven skincare can potentially recommend custom formulations for specific skin colors or skincare concerns.”
8. Intradermal Fillers
As we’ve seen on TikTok and other social media platforms, this past year already saw some decline in over-the-top injectable use. The once-coined “rich girl face” began taking a backseat to more natural-looking treatments and intensive microneedling by way of services like Morpheus8. Taking things a step further in the coming year, beauty consumers will see an increase in intradermal fillers, popularized by Juvéderm’s newly FDA-approved Skinvive. Since making its way to dermatologists and med spas in the summer of 2023, the least invasive form of filler is less about contouring and lifting the face, and more about erasing crepiness and smoothing fine lines. It’s even been called an “injectable moisturizer.”
“This is a breakthrough for the beauty industry,” says physician assistant Orla Stewart-Becker. “We now have an injectable that will help with those super fine lines and wrinkles without over-volumizing the face. This product hydrates, gives a natural glow to the skin, and can be used on anyone.”
9. Exosomes
According to Stewart-Becker, exosomes are nanovesicles released by stem cells. They’re found to penetrate the skin better, absorb more easily, and protect skincare actives. As they penetrate the skin, they mimic the body’s natural healing responses and can target pigmentation, rosacea, lines, wrinkles, and the appearance of scars. Stewart-Becker says exosomes are especially common in the microneedling space, as there is a specialized treatment that delivers concentrated stem cells to the deeper layers of the skin.
10. Radiofrequency Microneedling
Microneedling has been popular for several years now, but the standard treatment has recently been upgraded in a major way. The original process calls for very sharp, fine needles to be inserted into the skin with an end result to create new collagen and elastic tissue. After several consistent treatments, it ultimately helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, sagging skin, and scar tissue. This newer elevated treatment has been popularized by Morpheus8, Vivace, and Potenza—which is Stewart-Becker’s machine of choice. The expert expects major growth of the radiofrequency component because it penetrates much deeper into the skin.
11. Snow Mushroom Skincare
We mentioned the rise of chaga and reishi mushrooms above, but according to LoGerfo, we can also expect to see an increased use of tremella fuciformis, more commonly known as snow mushroom. Snow mushrooms are humectants known to have anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects. “They’re filled with polysaccharides and have better moisture retention than hyaluronic acid,” LoGerfo says. If you’re big on natural ingredients in your skincare, we agree that snow mushroom is a fabulous option.
And, if hydration is of key importance in your beauty routine, you can feel moisturized with all the snow mushroom goodness this winter by starting with the W3LL PEOPLE Revitalizing Dew Snow Mushroom Eye Gel-Cream. Thanks to its lightweight-yet-rich formula, and ability to plump, hydrate, and revive dull skin, our IPSY community absolutely raves about this one.
12. Non-Invasive Chin Augmentation
We at IPSY are in no way encouraging altering your appearance. We want you to express your unique beauty however you choose! That being said, we are seeing a rising trend in the beauty space toward chins. “Patients are paying more attention to their chin—whether to give their face balance, add volume, or to eliminate a chin crease,” says LoGerfo. “Thanks to advancements in injectables, doctors and patients alike have been realizing there are noninvasive ways to get a chin you feel comfortable in. Dermal fillers not only provide adequate projection, but they offer high flexibility for the chin area. I consider these a much safer yet effective way to tweak that part of the face.”
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