In our previous blog highlighting the skincare trends to look out for in 2024, we mentioned an approach consumers are taking up: skinimalism, or a “less is more” approach.
This is not a new philosophy, in fact, over several years several people, from celebrities to dermatologists, have mentioned this as an approach to skincare and makeup to be more in touch with our skin.
As consumers are becoming more aware of climate change, sustainability, and the environment, they are also becoming more aware of what goes on their skin and into their bodies. And here’s an interesting fact that they’ve come to understand: replacing synthetic ingredients with compatible, natural ingredients and using just what is necessary for the hair and skin instead of taking on a whole plethora of products.
Skinimalism
The minimalism movement inspires skinimalism with its focus on a “less is more” approach toward material possessions and has become a lifestyle for many people.
An inclination toward a “less is more” philosophy in makeup and skincare, commonly known as “skinimalism,” focuses on improving skin health through diligent skincare practices, emphasizing hydration, and choosing lightweight, breathable makeup products.
Individuals are increasingly embracing their natural skin, favoring minimal makeup aesthetics.
Multifunctional ingredients as a part of skinimalism
This has introduced multifunctional ingredients into products – ingredients that can give multiple benefits when used in a product for skincare, essentially cutting down on non-necessary ingredients.
With skinimalism on the rise, there has also been a demand coming up for multifunctional ingredients.
Skincare and self-care
In recent years, a lot of light has been shed on mental health and its correlation with physical health. With the growing importance of understanding and practicing good mental health through therapy, meditation, spirituality, and many other forms, has also come about the concept of accepting and celebrating one’s attributes, and caring for them.
Self-care then, in one way, comes out through skincare, haircare, and makeup – tackling concerns like acne and aging – and finding ingredients and ultimately products that work for your body and help take care of your skin, inside out.
Certain concerns are very prevalent today and are top-of-the-mind for consumers, to which they strive to find the right solutions.
Biggest skincare concerns for consumers today
- Anti-aging: Consumers are increasingly seeking skincare products and treatments that target signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness.
- Acne and Blemishes: Acne and blemishes remain a common concern for consumers of all ages, with many seeking effective solutions to combat breakouts, reduce inflammation, and minimize the appearance of acne scars. Demand for acne-fighting ingredients and products continues to be strong.
- Hyperpigmentation and Uneven Skin Tone: Uneven skin tone, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation are prevalent skincare concerns, particularly among those with sun-damaged skin or skin of color.
- Sensitive Skin and Irritation: Sensitivity issues, including redness, irritation, and allergic reactions, are significant concerns for consumers with sensitive or reactive skin. There is a growing demand for gentle, hypoallergenic skincare products formulated with soothing ingredients to calm and protect sensitive skin.
- Dryness and Dehydration: Dry skin is a common skincare concern, exacerbated by factors such as harsh weather, indoor heating, and frequent hand washing. Consumers seek hydrating skincare solutions, including moisturizers, serums, and masks, to replenish moisture and restore skin barrier function.
- Environmental Damage and Pollution: With increasing awareness of environmental factors such as pollution, UV radiation, and blue light from electronic devices, consumers are looking for skincare products that offer protection against environmental damage and help strengthen the skin’s natural defenses.
- Green, natural skincare: There is a growing preference for clean, natural, and non-toxic skincare products, driven by concerns about ingredient safety, environmental sustainability, and personal health. Consumers seek transparency in labeling and formulations free from potentially harmful ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.
Tackling skincare concerns with Innovative Technology
Consumers are interested in skincare innovations that harness advanced technologies such as peptides, stem cells, probiotics, and biotechnology to address specific concerns and deliver visible results. Demand for cutting-edge ingredients and formulations continues to drive product development.
Now, what if you could tackle skincare concerns with innovative technology that could focus on skinimalism, i.e. multifunctional ingredients for product formulations?
Polymers play a vital role in the personal care industry, contributing to the texture, stability, and performance of items like shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and cosmetics. Their use enables the industry to create innovative products that meet consumer demands for efficacy, aesthetics, and functionality while ensuring stability and shelf life. For e.g. synthetic polymers like polyethylene glycols (PEGs), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and acrylic polymers are commonly used as emulsifying, thickening, and stabilising agents, allowing formulations to maintain consistency. Polymers like silicones are prized for their ability to impart a smooth, silky feel and act as a protective barrier to the skin or hair.
A sustainable alternative: advanced biopolymers
Biopolymers, then, provide a sustainable, natural alternative to synthetic ingredients in products and exhibit excellent bioactivities. They can be extracted from nature from sources like renewable feedstock or as by-products from waste streams.
The con to using biopolymers has been the lack of performance on par with their synthetic counterparts, and compatibility issues.
Greenitio, with its AI-based platform technology, has not only developed biopolymers that exhibit higher performance and compatibility but has also unlocked ingredients that are multifunctional, providing solutions to skincare concerns like acne and aging, moisturization, and UV protection.
Tackling acne, aging, UV protection, and other skin concerns with advanced multifunctional biopolymers
Chitosan is a unique and special biopolymer for several reasons, making it a valuable ingredient in various personal care products. Plant-based chitosan is derived typically from fungal sources such as mushrooms. These fungi produce chitosan-like compounds without the need for crustacean shells from animals.
If you’re interested you can learn more about vegan chitosan, which we dove into depth on our blog on vegan chitosan here.
Plant-based chitosan derivatives are extremely tough to produce but offer multiple benefits for products in the cosmetics and personal care space. Unlocking the potential of vegan chitosan represents a pioneering venture in the realm of sustainable and cruelty-free skincare.
Greenitio, with its platform technology has unlocked these benefits through its products Chitobela™ and Chitobe™.
Chitobela™ and Chitobe™: An overview
Chitobela™ and Chitobe™ find applications in skincare, haircare, and sunscreen protection. These versatile ingredients, complemented by their bioactivities and environmental benefits, offer multifunctional properties such as:
Chitobela™
- Use cases: Moisturising, emulsifiers, thickeners
- Bioactivity: Anti-microbial, anti aging, anti-acne
- Applications: Skincare and haircare products
Chitobela™ can be used in a variety of personal care products such as creams specialising in anti-aging and anti-acne treatments, lotions, serums, shampoos, and many more.
Chitobe™
- Use cases: Film forming and conditioning
- Bioactivity: Anti-microbial, anti-acne, antioxidant
- Applications: Skincare, haircare, and sunscreen products
Chitobe™ can be used in a variety of beauty products such as sunscreens, hair masks, conditioners, serums, lotions, creams specialising in anti-acne treatments, and many more.
Advancing self-care through multifunctional ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products
Advancing self-care with multifunctional ingredients is a transformative approach in modern skincare, offering consumers innovative solutions that streamline their beauty routines while delivering effective results and meeting consumer demands. Multifunctional ingredients are versatile powerhouses that offer multiple benefits in a single product, allowing consumers to address multiple skincare concerns with simplicity and efficiency. By incorporating these ingredients into skincare formulations, brands can empower consumers to achieve their skincare goals more effectively while maximizing convenience and simplicity in their daily routines. Advancements in ingredient technology are driving innovations for natural products, offering consumers even more options to customize their self-care rituals and achieve healthy, radiant skin.
