Mintel has tipped the use of sustainable marine ingredients like glycoproteins to trend in the beauty and personal care industry in 2025.
The market researcher’s Global Beauty and Personal Care Trends for 2025 report identifies three key trends for next year: ‘Turning the Tide’; ‘(My) Knowledge is Power’; and ‘Think Slow, Move Fast’.
Turning the Tide is about brands being expected to consider the eco-ethical implications of consumers demanding a seamless connection between ethical practices and high-performance beauty solutions amid the effects of climate change becoming more evident.
“Brands will explore solutions rooted in the soil, leveraging regenerative farming and sustainable fishing practices. Innovative ingredients like glycoproteins derived from lobsters will become more common, offering high-performance benefits while supporting marine conservation,” said Mintel.
“As precision fermentation and vertical farming become mainstream, beauty brands will adopt these technologies to produce bio-synthetic ingredients with minimal environmental impact,” it added.
“Future beauty products will be designed to adapt to environmental and physiological changes in real-time. Imagine skincare that adjusts to varying climate conditions or deodorants that release odour-neutralising molecules based on body temperature. These climate-adaptive products will offer highly personalised experiences, blending technology with nature.”
Meanwhile, (My) Knowledge is Power is about consumers working smarter - not harder – on their beauty routines using repurposed products or technology.
“In 2025, consumers will no longer work hard on their beauty routines but rather work smarter, repurposing products like self-tanners as bronzers or using Vaseline for skin ‘slugging’, maximising their effectiveness with minimal effort.
“Expect a surge in devices that offer on-the-spot analysis and results, empowering users to make informed decisions instantly. As Gen Alphas (born 2010-25) reach adulthood, their comfort with AI and virtual experiences will transform the beauty industry.
“AR glasses will become integral to daily routines, offering real-time guidance for makeup application. Meanwhile, beauty brands will begin to market products as health-focused, addressing concerns from parents and institutions over younger generations’ beauty obsessions.”
The third trend, Think Slow, Move Fast, is about emphasising prevention over repair and embracing simplicity, consumers will start their ‘routines’ sooner in life, integrating nostalgic and sensory-rich experiences in pursuit of personalised skincare.
“In 2025, beauty will increasingly emphasise comfort and emotional well-being, much like the comfort food movement. Ingredients, textures and products will evoke simpler times, focusing on sensorial experiences that soothe and nourish.
“Brands will also need to adapt to the growing trend of slow living by aligning their innovation cycles with more sustainable and mindful consumption patterns. This means creating products that are not only effective but also designed for underconsumption, catering to budget-conscious consumers.
“Brands will explore the intersection of neuroscience and beauty, offering routines that evoke the tranquility of a mountain retreat or the serenity of nature through scent and texture. To build credibility, companies will highlight the efficacy of their products through scientific testing and innovative ingredients.
“Regenerative beauty will emerge as a key concept, blending sustainability, mental wellbeing and longevity. Brands like Acorn Labs might lead the way by offering innovative services like cryo-preserving cells, allowing consumers to regenerate their beauty from within as part of a long-term wellness strategy.”
The full Global Beauty and Personal Care Trends for 2025 can be downloaded at: https://www.mintel.com/insights/beauty-and-personal-care/beauty-trends/.
