6 Skincare Trends You'll See Everywhere In 2024
New year, new skincare trend. In fact, 2024 is bringing exciting new trends (plural) to the table — some that have passed over from previous years and others that will undoubtedly transform your everyday skincare routine going forward. While 2023 emphasized skincare practices such as skin minimalism ("skinimalism"), skin cycling, and skincare-based beauty products, 2024 expands on these foundational trends by digging even deeper. This year, skincare experts and devotees have the chance to explore trends that revolve around the brain-skin connection and promising advancements in biotechnology.
What's more, you can also expect to see a much-needed improvement in melanin-friendly skincare, so look forward to powerhouse ingredients that are not only effective but also safe for treating dark spots on darker skin. Ultimately, the focus on skin health (and fewer less-effective fads) reigns supreme, with the reintroduction of many of our favorite products and ingredients — and then some. All in all, 2024 is gearing up to be an inspiring year for skincare.
Barrier health finally takes priority
For dermatologists and skin experts, the integrity of the skin's barrier remains synonymous with general skin health. However, products advertising barrier repair didn't become popular until recent years. Now, many people have come to understand that barrier health plays a role in common skincare concerns, such as redness, acne, and sensitivity. Essentially, barrier creams have become skincare staples, and as the demand for barrier repair products has yet to drop, there's no doubt that we'll see a continuation of this trend throughout 2024.
That said, there's a common misconception about whether barrier repair creams actually work to heal a compromised skin barrier. According to dermatologist Jenny Liu, who spoke exclusively to Glam in January of this year, products geared toward repairing a damaged skin barrier do work, but so does a budget-friendly drugstore moisturizer if used correctly. In many cases, barrier repair creams are essentially ultra-rich, over-priced moisturizers. Therefore, the trend for 2024 centers on healing your skin by avoiding the excessive use of skincare actives, simplifying the skincare routine, and selecting a barrier repair cream with high-quality ingredients, such as ceramides, vital minerals, and hyaluronic acid.
Exo-what? This in-office treatment may be worth the commute
Exosomes are the latest biotech fixation among industry professionals, and they're likely to make an even larger appearance in 2024 as exosome-related research progresses. According to a 2020 study published in the scientific journal aptly titled Science, exosomes are small vesicles that are secreted by our cells, including stem cells, and they transport proteins, lipids, and other components to surrounding cells. So, how exactly does that help your skin? Well, experts have found that these tiny vesicles "enhance wound healing, fight pigmentation, and increase protection of the skin against free radicals," as dermatologist Dustin Protela, FAAD, told PopSugar.
Currently, in-office treatments administered by professionals are the only way to receive the benefits of exosome injections, as there's still much to be understood about using exosomes in skincare. "In many cases, exosomes are applied to the skin by a dermatologist or aesthetician after a procedure like microneedling or laser treatments," Protela added to PopSugar, to reduce downtime and speed up healing.
Hyperpigmentation and inclusivity
Piggybacking on the long-overdue "inclusive beauty" trend introduced back in 2017, many will be pleased to hear that there will be a focus on products designed for darker skin types in 2024, including hyperpigmentation products. While there are different types of hyperpigmentation, we should expect to see an increase in products specifically designed to treat discoloration in dark skin tones from acne, hormonal changes, and sun exposure.
"As I have a bit of an inside scoop on what brands will be launching next year, I think we can expect to see a lot of serums focused on hyperpigmentation that actually deal with the problem — and not vitamin C serums," aesthetician Alicia Lartey revealed to Refinery29 in early 2024. In other words, we will see more dark spot treatments with ingredients that have been scientifically proven to be safe for individuals with melanated skin, which include kojic acid and azelaic acid, per the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
Psychodermatology 101: intro to neurocosmetics
Science-backed skincare appears to be the overlying theme for 2024. Psychodermatology, or neurocosmetics, takes it a step further and delves into the biological connection between your brain and your skin. "The upper layers of the skin contain sensory receptors called Merkel cells that can recognize touch and temperature," cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos explained to Allure of this trend. "We're going to see more treatments focused on the brain-skin connection and looking into how simple sensory stimulation can improve our overall wellbeing."
In simpler terms, the ideal skincare routine in 2024 will emphasize tools and products that arouse the senses to heal the skin (think ice rollers with anti-inflammatory properties, soothing balm-like textures, aromatic skincare oils, and the like). This holistic trend encourages the coupling of mindfulness and skincare in the most indulgent self-care ritual we've seen yet. So, get ready to splurge on cryofacials and aromatherapy spa treatments.
The peptide obsession continues
It's surprisingly common to come across peptides in your skincare products these days. In fact, you might have a serum that contains vital peptides sitting in your bathroom cabinet at this very moment. While many associate this buzzy ingredient with high-quality skincare, not a lot of people truly understand what they are and what they can do for your skin. So, let's backtrack.
Your skin is made up of a variety of proteins, including collagen — all of which are comprised of specific amino acid chains (via Healthline). These amino acid chains are known as peptides or polypeptides. "There are many different peptides used in skin care, from those that act as messengers to signal your cells to stimulate collagen and elastin to neuropeptides that signal your facial muscles to relax so as to smooth out wrinkles," cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson told Allure.
Therefore, the main use of peptides in skincare products is for anti-aging purposes. We gradually produce less collagen as we age, so incorporating peptides into your skincare routine helps support these depleting collagen and elastin levels.
Tackling tech neck
As inextricable as technology is for modern society, tech neck is one of the rare phenomena that no one could have foreseen. As it is, tech neck causes premature wrinkles and lines due to repetitive creasing of the delicate neck area. Saggy neck skin isn't perhaps a concern that dermatologists were used to seeing in people of the younger generations in the past. However, constantly staring down at your phone, tablet, or laptop has led to a demand for skincare products that target lines around the neck and lower face region. This is, understandably, a cause for concern, as many people associate neck wrinkles with aging.
Therefore, keep an eye out for neck-firming creams aimed at addressing signs of tech neck in 2024. "When it comes to treating the neck, look for products that contain ingredients that stimulate collagen and also hydrate," clinical facialist Kate Kerr explained to British Vogue of this trend. "Massage can also help the area, [and] lymphatic drainage in particular is fabulous for draining away toxins to depuff, detoxify and brighten the skin on the neck."