Beauty is fabulously skin deep, as Pinterest and Instagram saves and likes show unapologetically. The three main factors in new skincare reflect the needs we live with: inclusivity, simplicity, au naturel and comprehensive oil solutions. With the winter months a few calendar clicks away, hydration is de reguer for skincare. Beauty companies are now offering new moisturisers for different types of skin—oily, dry and combination. Ask Kama, Forest Essentials and the umpteen neo-ayurvedic skin and beautycare experts for tips and they will tell you nothing glows better than skincare.
There is so much pollution in the air, food and drink that dehydrates and degrades the skin. Products to neutralise environmental “skin stressors” like air conditioning and heating, bacteria in closed spaces and the blue cathode light from computer screens are being launched. Cosmetics giants and smaller traditional boutiques have made cleansing a priority. Once cleansing agents would deplete the skin’s natural oils. Now oily skin is treated with cleansing oils that give a clear, glowing, and hydrated skin by removing the “bad” facial oils and preserving natural moisture. No more worrying about pores. Early this year, Pinterest reported “cleansing oil” saves were up by 555 percent. The Day of the Oil is here: perfume oils have made a comeback since the fragrance lasts longer on the skin, which absorbs and radiates more than any aerosol mist. Perfume oil rollerballs are not yet a product craze for Indian cosmetics manufacturers like in Japan and the West. Face oils made the grade in 2017 with an oil for each skin type: oily, dry, flaky or acne breakouts. There even a oil to combat aging lines.
No beholder can ignore the role of facial rollers in visage engineering. Derma rolling aka micro-needling aerates the face by boring microscopic holes in the skin to promote collagen production. Result: wrinkles and other age-related signs, acne scars and dark spots will fade away considerably. Jade or quartz rollers are advised by beauty experts for plump, glowing skin and enhanced elasticity of skin. Pinterest grade: “derma roller”saves is up by 345 percent.
Simplification is in: anti-frizz wipes, oil-blotting sheets for the scalp and foam dry shampoos are available for beauty in a hurry, borrowed from reinvented age-old Korean techniques. People have become more eco-conscious and aware of the dangers of chemical treatments. Vitamin C skincare has gained traction, being a strong antioxidant. Clean is the new demand: beware of products with silicone, paraben and sulfates like SLS. Au naturel wins over everyday heavy gloss: leave the psychedelics shades to catwalk models and yesterday’s ladies. Less cake on foundation to show off natural features is the preference among today’s girls. Liquid formulas could be the answer. Matching skin complexion is no more a teenage crisis; cosmetics scientists have created over 40-plus skin-tone shades for all types and races that go beyond the standard 10 to 15 sold on yesterday’s shelves.
K versus J: Battle for Beauty
Just as the world beauty industry made hay from ancient Indian beauty techniques in the nineties and early noughties, this decade belongs to Korea. The war between K-Beauty and J-Beauty has begun and what will Olay say! Since last year K (read Korea)-Beauty’s novel skincare and makeup products like sheet masks infused with snail mucin and cactus, creamy compact cushions and hybrid essences are driving the “glass skin” trend that makes skin look glowingly translucent. Essences, ampoules and overnighters are the foundations of K-beauty. Western companies are playing K-copycats, incorporating fermented ingredients for better skin penetration while ‘bad bacteria’ is finished off with probiotics in the process. Read black tea, kombucha, and sugarcane ferments. All Western skin care is inspired by Asia and Egypt; the Koreans use essences in their many-step beauty regimes. Essences unlike skin toners provide moisture to the skin in concentrated liquid form. Cushion compact is one of Korea’s cutting edge beauty inventions which are being aped by all big fashion companies. Another K-Magic Lamp is the powder exfoliator that works by getting water to activate cosmetic ingredients while making exfoliation gentler. No time? The Koreans have an answer for that too—gel-like sleeping masks that leave facial skin perfectly hydrated till morning. Beauty trend casters predict J-Beauty as the next big thing since the Japanese economy has shaken off its slide. They predict classical Japanese beauty aspects of simplicity (kanso), understated beauty (shibui) and calm (seijaku) will be reflected in the new Japanese products that are expected to take on K-Beauty next year.