By Robin Tolkan-Doyle, Beauty Editor
Just like the constantly changing trends in fashion, the same goes for the beauty industry. One day it’s all about CBD in your skincare. The next, it’s about superfoods. Or hyaluronic acid. Or anti-oxidants. As a beauty guru, it’s my job to keep tabs on what the fast and furious beauty world is telling us we are “supposed” to be using on our skin. Growing up, I was taught to keep my face clean, moisturized and protected with SPF, that’s about it. Well, the trend of less is more is definitely making a comeback, which makes the minimalist in me happy to say the least. Dive down below to learn about three current beauty trends on the rise where simplicity is preferable, at least for the time being.
Microbiome Skincare
This new buzzy word in beauty has to do with using probiotic-formulated products to help create and maintain a healthy balance of bacteria on the skin. If you’ve ever taken probiotics after being on antibiotics to replenish your good gut health, it’s the same idea. “Our skin microbiome is composed of about a trillion microorganisms from about a thousand different species, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and mites, most of which are commensal or mutualistic,” says Marie Veronique, chemist and founder of Marie Veronique Skincare. “The work they do regulating barrier function and, in general, keeping the skin happy and healthy is vitally important. For routine skin care, don't over exfoliate and limit use of antimicrobials, especially those like Benzoyl Peroxide found in anti-acne cleansers and scrubs. Use topicals that support barrier function without interfering with microbial populations.”
And when it comes to hand washing, Veronique emphasizes that soap and water destroys viruses more effectively than hand sanitizers.
$40 USD
A daily spritz or two of this microbiotic complex containing a healthy combo of 34 probiotic live strains including Bifidobacterium will maintain skin’s microbiome balance by encouraging helpful microorganisms to thrive. Hydrating Coconut Water helps keep blemishes under control while anti-inflammatory Calendula Hydrosol calms and soothes.
PC: Marie Veronique
$24 USD
The key to cleansing the skin à la microbiome style is to not strip or over-dry the skin. This powerful pre and probiotic formulated cleanser perfectly balances the skin with plant-based ingredients including Rose Damascena Flower Water and Chicory Root. Skin’s pH level is optimized and left feeling hydrated and refreshed.
PC: Mother Earth
Skinimalism
This trend has been repackaged and marketed with many names recently including “glass” skin, “cloudless” skin and even “glowy” skin. Skinimalism – the trend du jour - is all about sporting clear, makeup free skin and was recently “prompted by early pandemic stay at home orders and the newfound freedom of not feeling the pressure to get ready or wear makeup every day to work,” says Allison McNamara, Founder of MARA skincare. “The emphasis instead is put on healthy-looking, hydrated skin.”
Allowing your natural skin texture to shine through is not only simpler and more sustainable, it’s ultimately the new glow up. Want to achieve an enviable skinimalistic complexion that looks like it was practically Photoshopped? Checked out these options:
$120 USD
Created by McNamara, who got her start in the beauty industry as a beauty editor and digital influencer, this luxurious vitamin-rich treatment oil employs powerful algae extracts, 1.2% clean retinol and super natural sources of vitamin A to supercharge cellular turnover. The result? A healthy, clear and stellar complexion you’ll want to show off, not hide under cosmetics.
PC: MARA
$36 USD
This award-winning ultra-rich balm formulated with shea butter, coconut, avocado, sunflower, evening primrose and sea buckthorn oil, deeply nourishes and hydrates while reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation creating noticeably brighter skin. After using Amaze Balm for two weeks, you could very well ditch your foundation once and for all.
PC: The Better Skin Co.
Refillable Beauty Products
The slogan “reduce, reuse and recycle” can be traced back to 1976 when Congress passed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. But it’s only been in the last year or two that the beauty industry truly caught on to the trend of reusing existing product packaging with the ability to “refill” a product. “There is no reason for you to pay for packaging more than once,” says Victor Casale, co-founder of the new refillable cosmetic brand MOB Beauty. Not only are all MOB eye, face and lip products formulated with clean, cruelty-free and vegan earth-first ingredients, all their packaging components are 100% recyclable AND refillable.
MOB Refillable Eyeshadow
$18-$22 USD
Their pro-artist performance talc-free shadows are available in 24 shades and are packed with a high 35% pigment load for maximum payoff. Reduce your impact on the planet by buying their Repurpose Compact only once, then refill forever using the same sustainably designed compact made with post-consumer recycled PET, the most easily recyclable resin.
PC: MOB
$35 USD
Everyone bathes. Everyone also buys face, hair and body soap. Just thinking about all that packaging is truly mind boggling and saddening. In an effort to serve people and the planet first, Bathing Culture’s certified-organic Body Wash is available in refillable packaging that can easily be topped off with their one gallon refill option.
PC: Bathing Culture
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