THE TRENDS TO TRACK
From passionfruit to watercress, beauty insiders reveal the ingredients that will be on trend for 2019
TAP INTO WATER
There’ll be an increased focus on the water content in products, but in a variety of ways.
First, says Anna-Marie Solowij, co-founder of BeautyMart, it will be about ‘adding value’ to water and making it ‘an important ingredient, rather than just a base or filler’. See the likes of Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel (€70, debenhams.ie). She highlights the shift from traditional sources such as the French springs to more interesting options, such as Icelandic glacial water, used to make Bioeffect OSA Water Mist (€39, bioeffect.com).
Meanwhile, according to the Future 100 report from The Innovation Group, there will be more attention on waterless formulas. Companies such as L’Oréal Paris have committed to reducing 60 per cent of consumption per finished product by 2020 and Unilever has a water-smart initiative to reduce its footprint. Try Allies of Skin Vitamin C 5% Collagen Rebuilding Serum (€128, facegym.com) – its lack of water means that it won’t oxidise for more than three years.
SYNC YOUR SKINCARE
Cyclical skincare is set to get bigger, according to Alexia Inge, co-founder of Cult Beauty. It isn’t simply about following the rhythms of nature, but our own bodies. Knours (supported by the U-Kno app that tracks a woman’s monthly cycle) offers a skincare range that ‘caters for women’s changing skin through their menstrual cycle. Shake the Double Duty Mist [€33, knours.net] to mix in heavier moisturising ingredients or spritz unagitated when skin is most sensitive.’ Brands such as VenEffect provide support for ageing skin as oestrogen levels decrease.
CATCH THE BUZZ WORDS
According to Space NK, the popularity of CBD (think hemp) will continue to grow. CBD is short for cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive compound of cannabis, which is great for reducing inflammation and believed to help with acne, dry skin and eczema. You can try the likes of Radical Skincare Rejuvafirm CBD Facial Oil (€89, spacenk.com) or The Tonic Tribe The Tonic Topical 2% CBD Serum (€50, thetonictribe.com). And look out for the Brittany-based natural skincare brand Ho Karan (it means ‘I love you’ in Breton), which is arriving on Irish shores soon.
Watercress is set to be a key ingredient in skincare, says Space NK – it is rich in antioxidants and has more vitamin C than an orange.
The brand also highlights passionfruit as an amazing source of vitamin A. Try Oskia Renaissance Mask (€57, spacenk.com) – with passionfruit enzymes, it gently exfoliates your skin and boosts radiance.
INVEST IN LOW-PRICE LUXE
Alexia calls this trend ‘luxffordable skincare’ – luxury sensibility at entry-level prices – and says it’s here to stay ‘as brand creators surf the wobbly wake created by The Ordinary’. Expect companies such as The Inkey List to gain serious ground and try others such as Saturday Skin (it’s Korean), Disciple Skincare, January Labs and Lixirskin.
MEANWHILE…
If your own predictions for the year ahead include more me-time and a focus on self-care, then you should know about Clarins Wellness Treatments. Just head to one of the brand’s designated Skin Spas, located in selected department stores and some independent salons; you can book online if you prefer.
Choose a Beauty Sleep Treatment if you need help to unwind, or Rise & Shine for a turbo-boost. Not only will you be slathered in skincare goodness and emerge looking brighter and fresher, the massage techniques in each treatment are second to none and will leave you feeling noticeably better.