It was the year of otherworldly buzz words; Charcoal, Probiotic Skincare, Masking… Look around there was no dearth of products and innovations guaranteeing the luminous skin of your dreams. It was also the year of breakneck innovations, dermatologist-grade skin treatments you could administer yourself, and finally the realization, gorgeous skin comes from within.
Here are the biggest skin care trends of 2018:
GREAT SKIN STARTS IN YOUR GUT
The latest research points to probiotics, not new-fangled, pricey serums—both topical and ingestible—at the forefront of the beauty industry. Dermatologists now increasingly recommend a generous dose of probiotic rich foods and drinks like yogurt, miso soup and kimchi. “Using a topical probiotic is beneficial too; it offers a protective shield and balances the skin’s lipid balance,” says dermatologist Dr. Abhijit Desai.
Want with the trend?
LET’S GO MASKING
Binge watching your fave Netflix series sounds more attractive than a night on the tiles? But what about those under-eye circles and dull skin woes that follow? The most Googled skin care trend is—you guessed it—masking. Wearing a face mask was the top beauty trend of the year by a long shot. Nothing is out of bounds; sheet mask selfies, Instagram feeds awash with celebs with their fave masks, You Tube tutorials on how to choose the right sheet mask and apply it. The best part? The sheer variety of masks out there, everything from Charcoal and Green Tea infused ones to more exotic Goji Berry and Black Ginseng.
Want with the trend?
THE SHELVES ARE FLOODED WITH HYALURONIC ACID
One of the buzziest ingredients that’s been doing the rounds for a while, and ended strong. Able to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, Hyaluronic Acid is the best thing that happened for dry, dehydrated and aging skin. It not just retains moisture in skin, but also fades wrinkles and fine lines, instantly plumping skin. Want it? Look for formulas that contain both Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C so you get a double whammy of benefits; moisturizing and antioxidant protection.
Want with the trend?
AN OVERHAUL OF CLEANSING AS WE KNEW IT
Dr Desai says the biggest change this year has been the way we clean our skin. Since the skin’s pH is very finely balanced, harsh cleansers with large granules strip it of natural hydrators leading to inflammatory conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea. The stars this year were smarter, not harsher, cleansers. Say hello to dermocosmetic cleaners from Bioderma, Cetaphil and Avene.
Want with the trend?
AT HOME SKINCARE DEVICES FOR DERMAT RESULTS
From deep pore cleansers and facial hair epilators to blackhead removers and sonic face cleansers, this was the year of intelligent cleansing options that were as effective—but less aggressive or expensive—than in-office treatments. Added advantage? These cleansers are less likely to disrupt the natural, healthy flora we need on our skin. Going forward there will only be more available; from acne treating lights and ultrasound skin tightening tools.
Want with the trend?
INGESTIBLE BEAUTY GOES MAINSTREAM
It’s all about what you feed your face. Blotchy skin, acne, dark circles and puffy under-eyes are all symptom of a struggling digestive system and an imbalance of beneficial “good” bacteria in the digestive system. Eating acid-causing foods—meat, dairy, alcohol and caffeine—can kill good bacteria in the gut. Restore your skin by eating Vitamins A and C rich foods. Think pumpkin seeds, cashew nuts, oily fish and flaxseeds. This year, says Dr Desai, was the year of beauty from the inside out as more people became aware that great skin is not about what you put on it but what you eat as well.
Want with the trend?
