These Skin Care Trends Are Expected To Be Big In 2021

Bigger and better innovations are coming to our skin care counters.

Jan 12, 2021

If 2020 was the year of self-care, we daresay 2021 is all about moving forward—not just in life, but in skin care, too.

It’s worth nothing that despite the lockdowns and restrictions imposed during the height of the pandemic, the global skin care industry showed no signs of shrinking this past year. As many turned to vanity and self-care during the most uncertain of times (and while stuck at home), the beauty scene responded by quickly adapting to the needs of the times—giving us DIY facials, maskne treatments, and fancy hand care formulas, among others.

And, as it seems, more innovations are on their way this 2021, as beauty brands and experts continue to unlock new secrets to better, healthier skin. Excited to see what lies ahead? Here’s a look at seven skin care trends we’re predicting will be making headlines this year.

1. Anti-Maskne Skin Care

With 2020 and the global pandemic giving rise to “maskne,” a.k.a. acne caused by wearing face masks, it’s no surprise that we’re continuing to see increased focus on acne-fighting skin care.

“Many medical-grade treatments and topicals will be largely focused on reducing active breakouts and treating post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring,” says Dr. Maximin Navarro, Fellow of the Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and resident dermatologist at Bella Pelle Philippines. “This also includes products that reduce facial irritation and sensitivity from wearing masks.”

Examples of anti-maskne innovations we’re seeing now include soothing face sprays, skin care masques with zinc oxide, as well as specially designed face masks—the anti-virus kind—that prevent too much occlusion and avoid breakouts.

Products to try:

Creme VIP O2	Fluide VIP O2	Lait VIP O2
L’ Eauxygenante	Masque Biosensible	Masque VIP O2

2. All About The Skin Microbiome

The beauty scene has been abuzz with microbiome-focused skin care since last year, and it’s only bound to gain more traction this year. “Simply put, the skin microbiome is an ecosystem of living microorganisms in our skin,” says Dr. Navarro. This includes bacteria, fungi, and other natural microbes that are necessary to maintain skin’s health and immunity. When this healthy composition of microorganisms is disturbed, skin becomes vulnerable to all sorts of problems, from bacterial infections to increased inflammation and pH imbalance.

This is where probiotics and prebiotics come in, a.k.a. the new “It” ingredients being infused in topical skin care products to promote a healthy skin microbiome. Probiotics, or living strains of microbacteria, help optimize the healing benefits of skin’s good bacteria, while prebiotics serve as food for good bacteria, stimulating their growth. Used in skin care, these help prevent the growth of bad bacteria, dial down inflammation, and prevent premature aging.

Bonus tip: You can also take your probiotics and prebiotics via nutritional supplements. Try these picks from trusted health and wellness brand Metagenics:

Metagenics PhytoGanix, P3,400.

Metagenics Ultra Flora Spectrum, P3,000

3. Fast & Easy Facelifts

Miss going to the derma? You’re definitely not alone. After being cooped up indoors for most of 2020, skin-savvy folks are clamoring for skin-rejuvenating treatments—especially after all the stress of the past year. That said, quick and minimally-invasive derma procedures are expected to be in demand this year and preferred over longer, more complicated cosmetic surgeries.

One that’s worth checking out? The “Liquid Facelift,” which uses a combination of fillers, Botox, non-invasive lasers and high-energy devices to refresh skin and give a “facelift effect”—minus the surgery. What it does is it reshapes and redefines the facial contours, restores facial volume, diminishes facial lines and wrinkles, lifts sagging brows, and reduces “turkey neck” or the appearance of sagging skin folds in the neck.

In case you’re still not comfortable visiting your derma’s clinic, that’s totally okay. You can still aim for an at-home facelift with the help of the right skin-saving products.

Try these skin-firming picks:

Serum Matriciel Visage	Neostrata Triple Firming Neck Cream	Creme Splendide
VG Tensil	Splenodermine	Biomagic Mask

Check out these wrinkle fighters:

Lotion MC110 N1	Serum Elastine	Creme Biofixine
Serum A-Glyca	Masque Creme Biofixine	Le Grand Serum

4. At-home Chemical Peels

DIY peel kits remain to be all the rage, as they can effectively address a bevy of skin concerns fast—from sun damage and discoloration to acne, fine lines, and dullness. Plus, unlike before when chemical peel treatments were viewed as scary, potentially skin-burning concoctions, today’s formulas are pretty safe to use, even for newbies.

Of course, since peels contain acids, it is always recommended to exercise extra care and to seek the advise of a derma prior to application.

Peels to try:

Neoretin Discrom Control Lightening Peel

Mesoestetic Brightening Home Peel Kit

Mesoestetic Resurfacing Home Peel Kit (for oily & acne prone skin)

Neostrata Smooth Surface Daily Peel

Creme Aux Acides de Fruits

5. Plant-based skin care

Here’s good news if you love natural skin care: “Phyto botanicals or plant-based skin care is expected to hit a major surge in 2021,” says Dr. Navarro. With more and more consumers embracing eco-conscious lifestyles and beauty routines, many mass brands are making the shift to produce plant-based products to meet this demand.

Nature-powered products to try:

Serum Collagen Marin	Crème Grand Millesime	Cosmetic Skin Solutions Supreme Phyto + Gel
Cosmetic Skin Solutions Supreme Phyto + Crystals	Cosmetic Skin Solutions Supreme Olive Serum	Kamedis AC-Clear Breakouts Control Kit

6. Hypoallergenic cleansers and anti-bacterial products

With hygiene remaining to be a top priority in the new normal, the skin care industry is set to continue churning out skin savers that not only help kill germs and viruses, they’re formulated to be hypoallergenic and gentle on skin, too.

Try these ultra gentle picks for skin and hair:

Vanicream Cleansing Bar

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream

Free & Clear Shampoo and Conditioner

7. Exosomes in dermatology

Here’s another medical trend to watch: the dermatological use of exosomes or extracellular vesicles that are harvested from human skin cells. If you’ve heard of the use of stem cells in skin regeneration, this technology actually doesn’t stray far from that concept.

While stem cells are fast-dividing cells that speed up healing and repair, exosomes act as tiny messengers to promote skin cell regrowth. That said, exosomes are effective in boosting regeneration and repairing sun-damaged skin cells. The use of exosomes in skin care continues to be studied, and we’re excited to see it go big this 2021.

Keen to explore any of these trends and incorporate them in your current routine? For customized skin care recommendations, you can book a virtual consultation here.

For more beauty and skincare tips, subscribe to our newsletter:

SHOP OTHER PRODUCTS:

Emulsion Biosensible SR	Lotion P50
Serum PIGM 400	Creme Metamorphique