The clean beauty movement has been exponentially driven over the past years, powered by consumer demand for formulation and product safetyᅳboth for the end-user and for the environment. Such evolution has thus given way to the introduction of new and trending ingredients that abide by clean beauty principles. This paper presents the discussion of some emerging trends in clean beauty, covering benefits, regulatory status, and consumer perception of the ingredients.
The Rise of Clean Beauty
Clean beauty is characterized by the use of non-toxic, ethically sourced, and environmentally friendly ingredients. Consumers are increasingly scrutinizing product labels, seeking transparency and assurance that their beauty products do not contain harmful chemicals. This movement has prompted a surge in innovative ingredients that cater to these demands, showcasing trends in clean beauty that are reshaping the industry.
Emerging Ingredients in Clean Beauty
1. Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol is the natural equivalent of retinol, derived from the seeds and leaves of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. It delivers serious benefits to anti-aging without the potential irritation from retinol and works to reduce fine lines and facial wrinkles.
Benefits: It has some antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. According to Dhaliwal et al. in 2019, it was proven to improve skin texture and tone.
Regulatory Status: Bakuchiol is regarded as GRAS, and it is accepted in cosmetics by several countries’ regulatory agencies.
Consumer Perception: Bakuchiol provides tender, gentle, yet very potent anti-aging performance that consumers love. In particular, sensitive skin types are keen on it. As such, this makes it one of the major trends in clean beauty.
2. Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a variant of vitamin B3 that has gained reputation as one of the core ingredients in clean beauty because of its numerous beneficial properties. Key benefits: hydrating, enhancing elasticity, boosting barrier function, evening out skin tone, and reducing dullness. Under its newer uses according to Draelos (2019), a study showed the reduction of inflammation to the skin and hyperpigmentation.
Regulatory Status: Niacinamide is cleared for use in cosmetics by the FDA and European Commission.
Consumer Perception: Niacinamide is a must-have ingredient in skincare that is highly versatile and endowed with soothing properties, importantly a necessity in clean beauty.
3. Squalene/ Squalane
Squalane is a very effective emollient and antioxidantᅳit can be sourced from both olives and sugarcane.
Benefits: Hydrates the skin, controls oil production, and offers free radical protection. The study conducted in 2020 by Popa et al. also evidenced its moisturizing properties by not clogging the pores of the skin.
Regulatory Status: Worldwide, squalane has been declared safe for use in cosmetics.
Consumer Perception: Consumers like it due to its very light texture and its moisturizing capability. So Squalane becomes popularly preferred by those groups whose skin characteristics need hydration but find oily or slick residues on their skin undesirable. Therefore it also gives a significance as trends in clean beauty.
4. Centella Asiatica (Cica)
Centella Asiatica, commonly known as Cica, is an herb traditionally used in Asian medicine.
Benefits: It has potent anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, making it ideal for soothing irritated skin. Studies, including those by Kim et al. (2018), have shown its effectiveness in promoting collagen production and skin repair.
Regulatory Status: Approved for cosmetic use in most countries, with no significant safety concerns.
Consumer Perception: Raved about for its lightweight feel and hydrating properties, squalane is a favorite among consumers who want to hydrate their skin without the greasy feelᅳsquarely where trends in clean beauty reside.
5. Hyaluronic acid
A naturally occurring compound within the skin and has become very famous owing to its extraordinary water-holding potential.
Benefits: Deeply hydrates, plumps, and smoothes out fine lines. This has been proved according to research by Pavicic et al. in 2016, which proved that it increases skin hydration and elasticity.
Regulatory Status: It is accepted worldwide for cosmetic use and is considered safe and non-irritating.
Consumer Perception: Known as a “holy grail” ingredient for hydration, hyaluronic acid is in high demand for instant, visible results on plumpness and skin hydration, reflective of the trends in clean beauty.
6. CBD (Cannabidiol)
Primarily derived from the cannabis plant, the therapeutic incentive for CBD is increasingly being utilized in skincare.
Benefits: It possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and skin-soothing properties. For instance, it has been reported, by Baswan et al., 2020, that it could be beneficial in acne, eczema, and psoriasis treatments.
Regulatory Status: This is the most country-variable regulatory status in the world. In the United States, it is allowed in cosmetics provided it contains less than 0.3% THC. Regulations in other countries vary with continued research efforts and policy adjustments influencing its legal landscape.
Consumer Perception: Consumers love CBD because it is plant-based and an efficient sedative. However, some are extremely cautious about the origin and legality of the ingredient, underlining trends in clean beauty.
7. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera extract is one of the most easily recognizable extracts obtained from plants and identified by its soothing and healing properties.
Benefits: Hydrates, soothes irritation, heals skin. A study by Surjushe et al. in 2008 showed that it was a useful treatment for burns, wounds, and irritations to the skin.
Regulatory Status: The aloe vera is accepted and approved globally for application in cosmetics.
Consumer Perception: Preferred for its characteristics and naturalness, Aloe Vera is a somewhat trusted ingredient when it comes to soothing and hydrating skin, thus framing the trends in Clean Beauty.
8. Green Tea Extract
Green Tea Extract has high levels of antioxidants, which are mainly catechins, with general yet diverse benefits to the skin.
Benefits: Non-irritant, photoprotective, and enhances skin elasticity. Studies, such as Katiyar and Elmets, 2001, have proved that green tea extract may be able to protect against disorders of the skin.
Regulatory Status: Green tea extract is accepted worldwide in cosmetics with a very large safety record.
Consumer Perception: Green tea extract aims for anti-aging and protective benefits highly valued in clean beauty products that reflect trends in clean beauty.
9. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant known to have brightening and anti-aging benefits.
Benefits: This ingredient increases collagen production, minimizes hyper-pigmentation, and works against free radical damage. According to research carried out by Nusgens in 2015, it had sufficient proof of improving collagen synthesis while maintaining healthy-looking skin.
Regulatory Status: It is accepted for use in cosmetics formulations and has a clean safety record globally in various international regulatory regimes.
Consumer Perception: With its effectiveness in brightening skin tone, evening skin tone, and handling anti-aging effects, vitamins C finds its place in anti-aging and skin-brightening products, again iterating trends in clean beauty.
10. Rosehip Oil
Extracted from the seeds of wild rose bushes, rosehip oil is full of essential fatty acids and vitamins.
Benefits: Hydrates, reduces scars, fine lines, and improves the texture of skin. Hassanien et al. got a review that it has regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties.
Regulatory Status: Rosehip oil is accepted for cosmetic use globally and is regarded as safe and effective.
Consumer Perception: Rosehip oil stands very popular with everyone obsessed with natural and organic skincare due to its nourishing and regenerative potential, underscoring trends in clean beauty.
The real revolution taking place in skincare today is within the clean beauty movement, forcing innovation and changed adoption of safer and more sustainable ingredients. Some of the newer emerging ingredients at the forefront of this change are bakuchiol, niacinamide, squalene, Centella Asiatica, hyaluronic acid, CBD, Aloe Vera, green tea extract, vitamin C, and rosehip oil. These ingredients bring multitudes of benefits to the consumerᅳfrom anti-aging and hydration to soothing and protection of the skinᅳwhich allows them to satisfy consumer requirements on transparency, safety, and efficacy. With the clean beauty trends rising, it will be very important for consumers and formulators to remain up-to-date with ingredient information and their evolving regulatory status.
At Microbe Investigations Switzerland, we stay at the forefront of trends in clean beauty, providing comprehensive testing services to ensure the safety and efficacy of your innovative ingredients. Our expert team employs advanced methodologies to verify that your clean beauty products meet the highest standards of purity and performance. Trust MIS to help you navigate the evolving landscape of clean beauty with confidence.
To learn more about our testing services for clean beauty products or to schedule a consultation, please contact our specialists today.
References
- Dhaliwal, S., et al. “Evaluation of bakuchiol for anti-aging effects.” British Journal of Dermatology, 2019.
- Draelos, Z. D. “The multifaceted uses of niacinamide in dermatology.” Cutis, 2019.
- Popa, O., et al. “Squalane: Natural sources, applications and sustainability assessment.” Cosmetics, 2020.
- Kim, Y. S., et al. “Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of Centella asiatica.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2018.
- Pavicic, T., et al. “Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2016.
- Baswan, S. M., et al. “Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) for skin health and disorders.” Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2020.
- Surjushe, A., et al. “Aloe vera: A short review.” Indian Journal of Dermatology, 2008.
- Katiyar, S. K., Elmets, C. A. “Green tea polyphenol(-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate protects against UV-induced oxidative stress.” Archives of Dermatological Research, 2001.
- Nusgens, B. V. “Hyaluronic acid and extracellular matrix: A primitive molecule.” Journal of Dermatological Science, 2015.
- Hassanien, M. F. R., et al. “Rose hip oil: Scavenging properties of seed extract and oil.” Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, 2013.
