It’s that time of year again for skincare resolutions. Whether you’re curious about viral trends on TikTok, or simply need the motivation to reinvent your self-care game, here’s some buzzworthy scoop. We’ve zoned in on four top trends that are likely to take center stage in 2024 all year long.
1. Skin barrier protection
The skin barrier received its fair share of the spotlight in 2023, in part due to growing awareness about skincare ‘microdosing.’ No, we’re not talking about psychedelics, though you probably caught hold of this term at your last art or music fest. While many of us have long believed that “more is more” when it comes to high concentrations of active ingredients, some have become privy to the fact that the more they pump harsh products into their skin, the more they damage their skin barrier to a point that it starts to disintegrate. The skin barrier protects the skin from external invaders, but when its function is disrupted, the skin can develop conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and acne. A weakened skin barrier is also a hidden cause of sensitive skin types, so if your skin has gotten touchy without apparent cause, it could be that your skin barrier is sensitized. On the flip side, we see trends like slugging making an appearance here and there on social media. In slugging, a thin layer of petroleum jelly or ointment is applied on top of the evening skincare routine in order to reinforce the skin barrier and lock in hydration. At The JBeauty Collection, we recommend fortifying the skin barrier with a ceramide-rich cream like the La Vie Précieuse MOIST A.P.G. Cream. Ceramides are lipids that make up 50% of the epidermis or top layer of the skin. They form the “glue” that keeps skin cells together and shield the skin from all types of skin stressors, so if we’re talking skin barrier protection, ceramides are pretty darn important.
SHOP: La Vie Précieuse MOIST A.P.G. Cream
2. Skinimalism
Skinimalism or skin minimalism, a trend that moves away from complex regimens towards simple skincare routines of 2-4 products, is no stranger to J-Beauty. With a focus on just a few high-quality products that promise results and cover all your bases, the Japanese beauty mantra has always been “less is more.” As we head into 2024, even more people are looking to streamline their routines to cut costs, increase efficacy, and reduce irritation that occurs when too many products are applied to the skin at the same time. Like its cousin skinimalism, Skin Streaming is the concept of streamlining skincare care to just a few essential steps. However, this TikTok trend is driven by the desire to maximize output and focus on the most effective products, which is why it encourages the use of just a few favorite skincare heroes rather than many single-purpose products. Because of this, we think that J-Beauty multi-tasking products and all-in-one formulas are likely to see a rise in popularity, as they help minimize confusion and give more bang for your buck. Multi-tasking heroes like the UNNATURALLY NATURAL The Treatment Lotion should be on every skin minimalist’s radar. The lightweight and gentle formula restores hydration, firms, brightens, improves texture, and helps to minimize the appearance of pores - all in one sleek bottle. Another key aspect of skin streaming is that it’s highly results-driven, and we’re likely to see the rise of rituals that are ingredient-focused, featuring powerful actives like niacinamide and Vitamin C. More on that below!
SHOP: UNNATURALLY NATURAL The Treatment Lotion
3. Ingredients-focused skincare
From old-time faves to the hot and trending, there are a number of skincare ingredients to keep a look out for in 2024. Basics like hyaluronic acid and ceramides are predicted to make a comeback, while the overshadowed niacinamide may see a surge in popularity. Asian-inspired superfoods like green tea and seaweed are likely to gain some spotlight as well. For a geisha-worthy skincare routine, check out the KITAO collection. The entire line is crafted with ECO-CERT organic matcha green tea grown on tea plantations in Kyoto. For more on the beauty benefits of matcha green tea, check out our other post on matcha here. Other ingredients on the rise are fermented products. Japanese beauty brand EDOBIO has taken inspiration from traditional Japanese beauty rituals, where ingredients like lactobacillus-fermented sake lees extract and lactic acid bacteria took center stage and were said to be the secret to smooth and silky skin. To get a good feel of the EDOBIO product line, we recommend starting with the face-and-body Edobio Masu Soap and potent Edobio Intensive Hydration Serum.
SHOP: KITAO Matcha + Chia Facial Cream
SHOP: Edobio Masu Soap
SHOP: Edobio Intensive Hydration Serum
4. Science-First Skincare
“Cleanical” skincare, or skincare that marries clean and sustainable ingredients with science-driven formulations, is said to be the future of green beauty. Not only are brands expected to vet their products of ingredients harmful to humans, animals, and the planet, but it’s important that they back their claims with science and clinical results. J-Beauty brand La Vie Précieuse has made big leaps in skincare thanks to its research-based approach. The brand teamed up with Hirosaki University for lab-developed formulas that also help to minimize food waste of locally grown apples and salmon.
