Neurocosmetics, psychodermatology, or stress-relief beauty. Whatever you want to call it, there is an uprising of new brands and ingredients that are aiming to help people battle the stress epidemic via their beauty and personal care routines.
Trends like ‘category inclusion,’ ‘price accessibility,’ and ‘elimination of ageism in marketing’ are gaining traction in the cosmetics and personal care product industries to better meet consumer needs for more diverse and inclusive product offerings.
Beauty consumers today expect all claims to be scientifically substantiated and see great value in expert-led insights, strategies that will prove key as the value of products are increasingly called into question, says the head of beauty at Mintel.
Special Edition - Bright Beauty: Fun, Joy and Colour Across Cosmetics, Hair Care and Body Care
Testing products ahead of purchase remains an important part of the overall joy a beauty product brings to a consumer, says the head of the UK’s Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association.
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from March 2023 shows interest in the future of tech, concerns around cosmetic claims and greenwashing and navigating through the cost-of-living crisis.
The notion that beauty consumers have a fresh appetite for hyperrealist standards and tackling taboo topics head-on continues to gain ground in 2023. But what exactly does this mean for industry?
Lynda Searby talks the democratization of science, the rise of intimate personal care and ‘tweakments’, and what beauty stores of the future need to look like, with Mintel’s Andrew McDougall.
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from September 2022 shows interest in L’Oréal’s thinking on the potential for live bacteria when targeting the skin microbiome, consumer perceptions around skin glow, big brands brainstorming the future...
Temporary retail spaces offer beauty brands opportunity to build hype and drive community post-pandemic – both key in an increasingly competitive UK market, says Mintel.
Leading executives from Sephora, Shiseido and Orveon will join forces to brainstorm the future of beauty tech – discussing opportunities and challenges today and revealing their five-year vision.
Spanish luxury beauty and perfume major Puig has announced the acquisition of Kama Ayurveda – a move set to strengthen its Indian footprint and drive presence in the Western wellbeing market, an expert says.
Beauty tech investments have largely focused on digital and e-commerce, but consumers are looking for technology in-store as well to improve the overall shopping experience, providing significant opportunity for brands and retailers, according to Mintel.
Technology in beauty is continuing its meteoric rise at supersonic pace, but as consumers look for more innovative and immersive stories, stores, tools and apps, how can beauty stay smart in this space?
With the online beauty boom after COVID-19, it has become harder for skin care brands to stand out and engage with shoppers who still enjoy and rely on traditional tactile engagement ahead of purchase, says Mintel.
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from May 2022 shows interest in big beauty’s take on the future of the metaverse, predictions on the future of beauty and fragrances, and brand action on green cosmetic analysis.
Special Edition: PROTECTIVE BEAUTY – SUNCARE, ENVIRONMENT AND STRESS
Brands should consider ingredients that have both beautifying and protective properties as consumers seek out multifunctional beauty and personal care products, say market analysts.
Listen to Beauty 4.0 – A Podcast by CosmeticsDesign-Europe
Beauty tech is developing at a fast pace and there are plentiful opportunities for brands to play into this space, from smart consumer devices to metaverse engagement and blockchain for traceability, says Andrew McDougall, director of BPC at Mintel.
SPECIAL EDITION: ETHICAL BEAUTY – VEGANISM, CRUELTY-FREE AND PLANETARY GOOD
Consumer interest in ethical beauty continues to soar in Europe, fuelled by heightened concerns around climate change and the ongoing global pandemic, and so industry must sharpen action and communication on environmental impact, says a GlobalData analyst.
Beauty major L’Oréal has signed an agreement to acquire US superfood skin care specialist Youth to the People in a move set to deepen its ethical offering in an increasingly competitive market, say experts.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has carved out very specific and different protective beauty opportunities as consumer lifestyles and mindsets have evolved, says Mintel.
Beauty and personal care brands can innovate further with fragrances, bringing scent to the centre of a product and highlighting health and wellbeing benefits it can bring, says a Mintel analyst.
The number of new skin care product launches incorporating oat kernel extracts and oils for their prebiotic properties to make skin health claims is growing year by year, according to Mintel.
There are plenty of opportunities to address immunity in the beauty and personal care space, particularly in developing active topicals, nutrient-dense ingestibles and combined kits that plug beauty routine needs and target holistic health, says Mintel.
Total wellness is now integral to beauty routines and COVID-19 has driven many consumers to prioritise more ethical brands, add in rising expectations around digital experiences and product quality and 2021 has plenty of important movements to watch,...
Special Edition: Holistic Health & Wellness – Formulating for Wellbeing and Anti-Ageing
Beauty consumers consider holistic wellness as integral to their daily routines, particularly as stress and mental health have taken over the conversation amidst COVID-19, says the associate director of global beauty and personal care at Mintel.
UK parents are increasingly interested in clean beauty and concerned about ingredient safety in baby and toddler skin care products, creating opportunities to premiumize the category despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, says Mintel.
Special Edition: Personalised beauty in a digital revolution
Consumers used to take a hands-on approach when seeking out personalised beauty products, but they now expect brands to cater directly to their needs with made-to-order options, says an expert.
Use of facial skin care products has risen in the UK during COVID-19 as consumers turn to cleansers, masks and toners to improve their overall skin health and boost wellbeing, finds Mintel.
A compilation of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from July 2020 shows plenty of interest in post-COVID retail and product development opportunities, and lots of engagement on the closure of L’Oréal’s facial brush brand Clarisonic.
Fragrance consumers in Europe are looking for ‘fresh’ scents in their perfumes but manufacturers should go one step further; offering escapism and multi-functionality amid COVID-19 disruptions, says Mintel.
Natural and lab-made ingredients both offer great promise in fragrances, but industry doesn’t need to pick and choose – it can weave together nature and science with the right story, says Mintel.
Using collagen in beauty products – specifically ingestibles – is highly relevant amid today’s burgeoning consumer trend towards holistic health and wellness, says Mintel.
The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated and morphed consumer trends globally, with most shoppers now seeking out beauty brands and products perceived as clean, ethical and community-focused, experts say.
A compilation of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from May 2020 shows significant interest in COVID-19 skin research, and high engagement on in-depth analysis around changing beauty opportunities amid coronavirus and morphed retail landscapes.
The beauty and personal care industry has long advocated wellbeing and positivity and this messaging is now more relevant than ever with the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, says Mintel.
Beauty products considered preventative and safe will see a sharp rise in demand during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, driving clear and lasting change across personal care, says Mintel.
The future of beauty innovation in the next decade will see nature and science blur, with the true power of biotechnology unfolding to take sustainable cosmetics forward, according to Mintel.
Smaller, local Chinese players are carving out a successful and competitive beauty category, developing highly social, online and value-for-money brands that connect well with younger consumers, says Mintel.
The beauty world will look very different in ten years, polarised by the push and pull between nature and technology and a consumer battle between digital connection and the desire to disconnect, says Mintel.
Consumers consider perfume an excellent way to express uniqueness and boost confidence, offering significant potential to develop personalised fragrances, says Mintel.
Micro-targeting certain consumer groups, tweaking your marketing message and handing control back to the consumer are just some ways industry can scale up personalised beauty, says Mintel.
Female consumers tend to be more open to beauty innovations that tap into mood, emotional wellbeing and self-care, but the male demographic still offers promise, says a global Mintel analyst.
The consumer wellness boom presents strong opportunities for beauty to target mood and wellbeing, through functional products, routine enhancement or powerful brand messaging, says Mintel.
Beauty and personal care brands have long relied on ‘free from’ claims to communicate clean and non-toxic credentials, but this conversation must change to spotlight safety and efficacy instead, says Mintel.
Use of facial cleansers and wipes has tumbled in the UK as women ditch complicated, multi-product skin care routines for simpler options, lured by sleep, the 'au natural' look and saving the planet.
![Beauty brands that can offer expert-led discussions and back up all claims scientifically will be able to engage and connect with today's beauty consumer [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/04/18/substantiated-claims-and-expert-led-insights-key-to-the-future-of-beauty-mintel/16344190-1-eng-GB/Substantiated-claims-and-expert-led-insights-key-to-the-future-of-beauty-Mintel.jpg)
![Many beauty consumers still want to try products before buying, with brands now offering an array of ways to do so both in-sore and online [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/04/14/beauty-try-ons-key-to-joy-of-category-post-covid-says-ctpa-chief-both-in-store-or-online/16335619-1-eng-GB/Beauty-try-ons-key-to-joy-of-category-post-COVID-says-CTPA-chief-both-in-store-or-online.jpg)
![Underboob sweat, pimple popping, shaved heads and sexual health are just some of the topics consumers are diving into head-first this year as traditional beauty ideals unravel [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/market-trends/wgsn-beauty-trends-2023-highlights-unsexy-beauty-as-movement-to-watch-adding-to-mintel-nielseniq-and-verve/16077779-1-eng-GB/WGSN-beauty-trends-2023-highlights-unsexy-beauty-as-movement-to-watch-adding-to-Mintel-NielsenIQ-and-Verve.jpg)
![Intimate personal care and hormonal beauty are set to rise in importance next year as consumers look for products in previously taboo categories [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign.com/headlines/market-trends/mintel-talks-beauty-trends-for-2023-highlighting-expert-science-self-care-sexual-health-and-smart-retail/16024334-1-eng-GB/Mintel-talks-beauty-trends-for-2023-highlighting-expert-science-self-care-sexual-health-and-smart-retail.jpg)
![And the brighter and more Instagram-worthy, the better, as UK beauty market competition heats up [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/market-trends/beauty-pop-ups-can-build-hype-and-community-in-competitive-uk-market-says-mintel/15821988-1-eng-GB/Beauty-pop-ups-can-build-hype-and-community-in-competitive-UK-market-says-Mintel.jpg)
![How will beauty retail evolve? What might products look like? And how will brands bring everything together online and in-store? [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/market-trends/cosmeticsdesign-beauty-tech-webinar-with-sephora-shiseido-orveon-and-experts-brainstorm-future/15777921-1-eng-GB/CosmeticsDesign-beauty-tech-webinar-with-Sephora-Shiseido-Orveon-and-experts-brainstorm-future.jpg)
![Kama Ayurveda is a leading brand in India offering a range of traditional and holistic treatments for beauty and wellness [Image: Kama Ayurveda/Puig]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/business-financial/puig-acquires-majority-stake-in-kama-ayurveda-to-drive-india-presence-and-global-wellness-offerings/15770787-1-eng-GB/Puig-acquires-majority-stake-in-Kama-Ayurveda-to-drive-India-presence-and-global-wellness-offerings.jpg)
![A large number of UK adults who buy beauty and grooming products say in-store technology would help the overall shopping experience [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/09/08/beauty-tech-in-store-holds-great-promise-for-consumer-experience-and-shopping-journey-says-mintel/15752187-1-eng-GB/Beauty-tech-in-store-holds-great-promise-for-consumer-experience-and-shopping-journey-says-Mintel.jpg)
![Global beauty brands and retailers continue to invest fast in tech-led innovation, from metaverse experiences through to at-home fragrance blending [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/09/08/beauty-tech-cosmeticsdesign-webinar-with-sephora-shiseido-orveon-mintel-and-the-virtual-events-group/15748695-1-eng-GB/Beauty-tech-CosmeticsDesign-webinar-with-Sephora-Shiseido-Orveon-Mintel-and-The-Virtual-Events-Group.jpg)
![Many skin care consumers still value in-store sampling and testing, so brands need to work hard to balance out online and brick and mortar retail strategies [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/market-trends/skin-care-retail-needs-balance-between-online-and-offline-says-mintel/15607541-1-eng-GB/Skin-care-retail-needs-balance-between-online-and-offline-says-Mintel.jpg)
![The protective beauty space holds an array of opportunities to tap into, from environmental and digital pollution through to stress management and wellbeing [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/05/13/protective-beauty-promise-in-multifunctionals-across-blue-light-pollution-and-stress-say-mintel-globaldata/15411040-1-eng-GB/Protective-beauty-promise-in-multifunctionals-across-blue-light-pollution-and-stress-say-Mintel-GlobalData.jpg)
![Climate change concerns are at the forefront of consumer minds, and there are important opportunities for beauty companies to action and communicate change in this space [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/02/11/ethical-beauty-needs-environmental-action-and-focus-to-fulfil-consumer-expectations-says-globaldata/13233473-1-eng-GB/Ethical-beauty-needs-environmental-action-and-focus-to-fulfil-consumer-expectations-says-GlobalData.jpg)
![LA-based skin care brand Youth to the People offered a range of superfood-charged products, including kale, green tea and spinach cleansers and exfoliants [Image: Youth to the People]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/12/09/l-oreal-to-acquire-youth-to-the-people-in-move-set-to-strengthen-ethical-status-and-competitive-edge-in-skin-care/13081556-1-eng-GB/L-Oreal-to-acquire-Youth-to-the-People-in-move-set-to-strengthen-ethical-status-and-competitive-edge-in-skin-care.jpg)
![Consumers are increasingly looking for beauty products that help them shield from external aggressors, including pollution, but also offerings that tackle technology woes like blue light exposure and fatigue [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/11/17/protective-beauty-trends-post-covid-show-digital-spf-and-pollution-opportunities-says-mintel/13022210-1-eng-GB/Protective-beauty-trends-post-COVID-show-digital-SPF-and-pollution-opportunities-says-Mintel.jpg)
![Scent can be positioned centrally with its wellbeing benefits highlighted in beauty and personal care products, though any claims made will need to be backed by sound science [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/10/19/fragrance-innovation-in-beauty-and-personal-care-targeting-wellbeing-holds-growth-promise-says-mintel/12937250-1-eng-GB/Fragrance-innovation-in-beauty-and-personal-care-targeting-wellbeing-holds-growth-promise-says-Mintel.jpg)
![The number of new skin care products with oat kernel extract or oil is on the rise, particularly those making prebiotic claims [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/09/21/oat-kernel-rising-star-ingredient-for-skin-health-claims-in-skin-care-says-mintel/12840341-1-eng-GB/Oat-kernel-rising-star-ingredient-for-skin-health-claims-in-skin-care-says-Mintel.jpg)
![Active skin care offerings, protective hair care products and sleep-promoting kits are just some of the ways beauty (and food, drink and nutrition) brands can play into the immunity space [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/05/27/immunity-and-beauty-future-to-see-active-skin-care-supplements-and-drinks-innovation-says-mintel/12513535-1-eng-GB/Immunity-and-beauty-future-to-see-active-skin-care-supplements-and-drinks-innovation-says-Mintel.jpg)
