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“Self-care is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation” – Audre Lorde
The era where facial skincare was the whole and sole focus of personal care consumers is now coming to an end. Inflation and cost of living crisis has resulted in customers demanding for more from less. As price sensitivity increases, multifunctionality is now a defining factor for sought after products. Formulations that combine the benefits of skin care with colour cosmetics are perceived as giving greater value for money. To add to this, growing self-care and wellness behaviour, promoted by influencers and educational content on social media, has carried forward well known trends of skin into body care to deliver the same benefits.
This concept is called skinification - a holistic approach to beauty and personal care through skin-care inspired products. As the world moves beyond a singular focus on skin to investing in total personal care, this all- encompassing philosophy includes previously neglected parts such as scalp, hand and foot care, to name a few. Skinification has demonstrated the importance of ingredients, since traditionally used skincare ingredients are now being used for other personal care products. Vitamin E is one such ‘hero ingredient’ which has transitioned beyond skin care to be a constituent of more than 30% of new product launches in hair care, styling and colour in Asia in 2022-23.
Emerging trends that go beyond the skin to include previously neglected parts such as:
• Scalp care: As the boundary between skin and scalp dissolves, we are seeing a cross-over of ingredients traditionally used in facial skincare like hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C & Dipotassium glycyrrhizate now gracing scalp care formulations. Shampoos, masks, exfoliants and serums cater to needs such as removal of excess oil, dead skin and dandruff as well as boosting hair health and growth. Sulphate and alcohol free are the clean label trends to watch out for. For instance, scalp soothing tonic developed by IMCD contains Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate which is a potent skin-soothing ingredient in cosmetics, is derived from licorice root. It effectively calms irritation, redness, and inflammation, making it ideal for sensitive or reactive skin.
• Hair care: Consumers are looking out for conditioners, masks and serums that hydrate, soften, repair damage and add volume. Hyaluronic acid and peptide bond repairing ingredients are on the rise, with fragrance free and plexing products in vogue. IMCD’s hair care portfolio consists of surfactants, thickeners & rheology modifiers, hair conditioners, emollients and waxes, styling agents, opacifiers, pearlizers, solubilisers, UV sunscreens and actives, preservatives and antioxidants. For example, everyday hair boosting serum developed by IMCD contains hyaluronic acid which increases hydration, stimulates hair follicles and makes hair healthier & stronger.
• Body care: Concerns such as acne, dryness, hyperpigmentation or aging are no longer limited to facial skin, but also to other parts of the body. Retinol, azelaic acid and ceramide are the trending ingredients found in cleansers, moisturizers, serums, body washes where clean formulations such as paraben free are emerging. We tackle formulation challenges to address diverse concerns, from anti-ageing, moisturisation, acne prone skin, protection, pigmentation to sensitive skin, through our functional ingredients that include emulsifiers, thickeners & rheology modifiers, emollients and waxes, elastomers and sensory enhancers, humectants, UV sunscreens, preservatives and antioxidants. For instance, targeted dark spot serum developed by IMCD’s technical team is rich in Vitamin C derivatives which acts as whitening agent and reduces the appearance of dark spots and even out the complexion of oft-ignored body parts like knee and elbow.
• Make up: Multifunctional benefits such as healthy and natural glow inducing makeup products are seeing an uptick. Going beyond outer beauty, Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and vitamins infused makeup provides sun protection and nourishment. Vitamin C, shea butter and SPF containing ingredients are trending. We help our partners develop on trend colour cosmetics, suitable for diverse skin types with a variety of textures and formats. Our offerings include pigments, pearls and powders, emulsifiers, thickeners & rheology modifiers, humectants, emollients and waxes, film formers and elastomers, opacifiers, UV sunscreens and actives, preservatives and antioxidants. For example, everyday sun protection foundation developed by IMCD gives oil-free coverage is packed with SPF 30 and skincare ingredients to hydrate, smooth, brighten, and protect.
In fact, more than 40% of colour cosmetics launches in Asia possess brightening/illuminating and moisturizing/hydrating claims. Products primarily positioned as sun care categories now include various other benefits, with more than half of sun care launches in Asia over the last five years possessing moisturising and hydrating claims.
At IMCD India, we embrace the concept of skinification by developing formulations that are concurrent with this transformative concept. We are passionate about bringing world class products by sourcing high quality functional and active ingredients from our principals across the globe. Our Beauty & Personal Care team is committed to creating customer driven solutions through the latest technology in formulation development. Our complementary strengths of sourcing and technical expertise allow us to offer sustainable and innovative products across segments. Our Beauty & Personal Care laboratory in Mumbai houses a team of experts who develop formulations that are on-trend, by making use of high-performance ingredients.
Our team is committed to supporting our customers in capitalizing on this ingredient-driven skinification trend, by providing formulation solutions that empower our partners to creative effective products. We aspire to help our clientele stay ahead of the curve and meet the evolving demands of the modern consumer who has redefined the beauty and personal care landscape.
To explore more on how IMCD can assist your needs, connect with us on personal.care@imcd.in.