7 Ways to Get Prestige Facial Skin Care Back on Track

Jul 3rd, 2025

Prestige facial skin care is in a slump; medspa inspiration, microbiome balance and other strategies offer hope for the category.

LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS at Adobe Stock

Prestige skin care sales declined 3% in dollar sales during Q1 2025. Facial skin care, including serums, exfoliators and lip treatments, were hit hardest, while body care and sunscreens enjoyed strong demand. What can prestige facial care do to get its mojo back? Recent innovations and market data point to key innovation opportunities. Let’s break them down.

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1. New Formats for Better Delivery

The opportunity

By tapping into patch formats, brands can deliver a wide range of experiences, from mimicking clinical treatments to addressing some of the most common skin complaints. These patches can also offer enhanced efficacy and/or convenience.

The inspiration

Taiki USA's Anti-Aging Botox Plaster Patches are designed to mimic the namesake neurotoxin by smoothing facial wrinkles. Taiki USATaiki USA recently unveiled a range of patch formats, including the Luminous Glow Microneedle Patches, Anti-Aging Botox Plaster Patches and Decorated Hydrocolloid Patches.

The Luminous Glow Microneedle Patches are designed to improve the appearance of uneven skin tone, dark spots and dullness. The tinted dots deliver brightening and antioxidant ingredients via microneedle technology. The targeted treatment is powered by niacinamide 5% for improved skin elasticity and reduced inflammation, among other benefits; ascorbic acid (vitamin C) 5% for a collagen boost and defense against free radicals; acetyl cysteine 5% for collagen synthesis and reducing oxidative stress; glutathione 2.45% for melanin inhibition; and ferulic acid 0.11%, which enhances the stability of other antioxidants.Taiki USA also offers Decorated Hydrocolloid Patches that can flatten pimples overnight while offering a pop of fun.Taiki USA
The Anti-Aging Botox Plaster Patches are designed to mimic the namesake neurotoxin by smoothing facial wrinkles. The transparent plaster strips deliver key actives, including a plant collagen extract 1% (oxyproline, glycine and glutamic acid) that can be resynthesized as a collagen when absorbed into the body; palmitoyl tripeptide-5 for a reduction in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores; and Croda Beauty’s Volufiline (Anemarrhena asphodeloides root extract) for a boost in skin volume appearance.
Taiki USA’s Hydrocolloid Patch Dispenser boosts the convenience of this popular format. Its continuous roll design can be customized by brands to address the challenges of various blemish sizes. The transparent patches feature hydrocolloid to absorb sebum trapped within pores, thereby speeding up the recovery process, per the company. Taiki USA also offers Decorated Hydrocolloid Patches that can flatten pimples overnight while offering a pop of fun.

2. Treatment Room Inspo

The opportunity

As Taiki USA’s Botox patches show, inspiration from the professional and even medical beauty space can drive meaningful new product innovations. This provides opportunities for pro brands to expand into the consumer space and consumer brands to offer an at-home “pro” experience at a more accessible price.

The inspiration: Glowbar

In June 2025, Glowbar, the 30-minute facial disruptor, launched the at-home Expert Cleanser. GlowbarIn June 2025, Glowbar, the 30-minute facial disruptor, launched the at-home Expert Cleanser. The product offers “professional results home,” per the company, in a format that is easy to incorporate into everyday routines. It also offers users a change to extend their clear skin between professional skin care treatments.

The Expert Cleanser, which retails for $28 at Glowbar studios and its direct-to-consumer site, is reportedly ideal for all skin types. The concentrated foaming face wash featuring salicin-rich white willow bark for clear pores and calmed inflammation, and glycolic acid (AHA) and gluconolactone (PHA) for gentle resurfacing of the skin.

"We kept seeing clients struggle with the same thing—finding a face wash that works without overcomplicating their routine,” said Rachel Liverman, founder and CEO. “So we made one. Expert Cleanser brings everything we've learned in the treatment room straight to your bathroom counter, helping you feel confident in your skin every day."

The inspiration: Tricoci

Tricoci Skincare features 11 SKUs for daily use and marks the third brand launch following Tricoci Collection (salon-grade hair care) and Nutrire (clinical-luxury scalp and strand care).Tricoci SkincareTricoci Salon & Spa, like Glowbar, has also launched a skin care range to extend benefits between visits.

Tricoci Skincare features 11 SKUs for daily use and marks the third brand launch following Tricoci Collection (salon-grade hair care) and Nutrire (clinical-luxury scalp and strand care).

Products include the Purify Cleanser and Hydrate Cleanser (both $29); the Exfoliate Mask ($43) and Refine Exfoliator ($37); the T-Bright Eye Serum, C-Defend Serum, HA-Plump Serum and A-Regeneratge Serum (retailing for $49-69); and the Lightweight Moisturizer ($35) and Barrier Repair Cream ($39).

The launch was accompanied by the debut of the TricociSkin Facial a new 60-minute service “featuring a signature five-point technique” to “enhance product absorption, support skin function and create lasting improvements in tone, texture and radiance,” per the company.

"With Tricoci Skincare, we're delivering that same level of care and effectiveness in every product," said Teri-Ann Marchigiani, vice president of product development. "These formulas were developed with our estheticians to meet real client needs—clean, effective and designed to deliver."

The inspiration: medspa treatment trends

The journey of medicalized beauty begins early; 51% of consumers surveyed by FIT first explored medical beauty treatments in their 20s.DragonImages at Adobe StockThe types of surgical and non-surgical treatments consumers are seeking out are shifting. Understanding these changes offers brands an opportunity to tap into existing consumer interest with non-invasive, at-home alternatives that allow them to look and feel better longer.

The 2025 FIT Capstone presentation, "Beauty's Next Frontier,” noted that today’s consumers feel 20% younger than their chronological age. This has profound impacts on shopper behavior.

In fact, 52% of consumers surveyed in the FIT report were interested in clinical-grade beauty products that mimic medical procedures. And 45% have had a medical professional recommend medical beauty treatments.

This journey of medicalized beauty begins early; 51% of surveyed consumers first explored medical beauty treatments in their 20s.

This new era will favor brands that put science front and center in marketing and messaging, the FIT report argues, as well as those that are expert-backed and which feature aesthetics evoking clinical efficacy and trustworthiness

Beyond consumer attitudes, the hard data points to where medicalized beauty is trending.

Recently, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) released its 2025 Global Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures, reflecting data from more than 17.4 million procedures performed by plastic surgeons and 20.5 non-surgical procedures. The key takeaways are as follow:

Procedures are booming: Consumers are rapidly embracing medical aesthetics. In the last four years, surgical and non-surgical procedures jumped a whopping 42.5%. This backs up FIT Capstone data that revealed 64% of surveyed consumers have sought medical beauty treatments to boost or optimize their appearance. Reason would dictate that rising adoption of these interventions creates greater awareness and interest, even from those who have yet to or will never expose themselves to a needle or scalpel.
Eyelid treatments on top: According to the ISAPS survey data, 2.1 million eyelid surgeries were conducted in 2024 (a 13.4% increase year-over-year), making it the most popular procedure, unseating liposuction. This was unprecedented, per the organization. Eyelid surgery was the second most popular surgery for women and the top surgery for men, signaling widespread cross-gender appeal.
Botox-type treatments continue to grow: Botulinum toxin was the most popular non-surgical treatment of 2024 and were most popular among those aged 25-50. Per the survey, 7.8 million botulinum procedures were performed by plastic surgeons worldwide last year.

3. Skin Microbiome Balance = Better Mood?

The opportunity

Back in 2023, Mintel declared that, “The next chapter of wellness will be mind-body beauty, where mental well-being and physical appearance are interconnected.” Since then, a variety of skin care ingredients and products have emerged, targeting everything from circadian rhythms to overall well-being. In a fast-paced world where stress levels continue to rise, brands that offer meaningful, well-crafted innovations that promote calm and tranquility are uniquely positioned to thrive.

The inspiration: Cutibacterium bacteria

A well-balanced skin microbiome can enhance a sense of well-being, according to new research.wayhome.studio at Adobe StockAccording to a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, Cutibacterium bacteria^a on multiple skin sites (face, scalp, forearm and axilla) "showed consistent associations with psychological well-being."

Specifically, Cutibacterium on the face and axilla (underarms) "was associated with reduced stress." In addition, the bacteria's presence on the axilla was also associated with an enhanced pleasantness of mood.

"This underscores the need for further investigation into specific bacterial taxa that may be involved in a skin-brain axis," the authors noted, "as well as the importance of specific microbial communities on the body and their potential influence on this connection."

4. Gen Alpha Relevance Over Hype

The opportunity

Much has been made of Drunk Elephant’s meteoric rise and rapid decline among Gen Alpha shoppers. Yet the brand’s challenges aren’t a sign that Gen Alpha isn’t ready for beauty; it’s a sign that young shoppers need relevant innovation.

The inspiration: Nelupure

Effective acne solutions can be the key to creating relevance for Gen Alpha consumers.Айман Дайрабаева at Adobe StockProvital's Nelupure is a lotus flower complex (INCI: propanediol, glycerin, Nymphaea caerulea flower extract, Nelumbo nucifera flower extract) that has sebum-balancing and blemish-reducing effects, including on tween and teen skin.

“This age group often struggles with excess oil, shine and acne,” says Nina Esposito, Provital’s managing director, “which are among their top skin care concerns and priorities.”

Nelupure’s ability to reduce sebum overproduction, balance sebum synthesis and significantly decrease inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions, as well as acne-related markers like porphyrins, makes it ideal for products targeting Gen Alpha’s woes.

Furthermore, the technology offers relief across skin types and genders, per Provital.

Esposito concludes, “These benefits align closely with what tweens and teens are looking for in skin care—products that visibly clear up acne, prevent breakouts and control oiliness—while also delivering results that are backed by scientific evidence.”

5. Skin-side Out

The global beauty supplement market is forecast to total $3.96 billion^b in 2025 and expand to $5.76 billion by 2030, per Markets and Markets data. Interest in the space dovetails with the medicalization of beauty overall, as well as the rise of wellness generally. Taken together, these trends offer opportunities for brands to deliver ingestible skin health products that offer synergistic benefits with topicals.

The inspiration: Sakara

Wellness brand Sakara recently launched the Beauty Biome capsule, which is designed to support “radiant skin.” SakaraWellness brand Sakara recently launched the Beauty Biome capsule, which is designed to support “radiant skin.” The launch, which debuted at Credo, also reflects the importance of a balanced microbiome in skin health.

Beauty Biome ($65) features a probiotic blend, a collagen-boosting ingredient technology and bioavailable vitamins.

The probiotic blend comprises Bifidobacterium longum ES1 (gut immune response booster), Lactobacillus rhamnosus SP1 (minimizes inflammation associated with skin appearance), Bacillus subtilis DE111 (protects skin from UV damage and cellular aging by supporting natural glutathione and superoxide dismutase), Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM (reduces allergen sensitivity that can impact the skin), and Bifidobacterium lactis BPL1 and Lactobacillus casei BPL4 (reducing inflammatory cytokines and balancing immune responses associated with skin inflammation).

FutureCeuticals’ Dermaval is featured in the formulation to inhibit enzymes associated with degraded elastin and collagen proteins. The technology comprises a complex of natural materials, including pomegranate extract, asparagus, okra, FutureCeuticals’ Coffeeberry coffee fruit extract, quercetin, acerola, camu camu, acai and mangosteen.

Finally, the Beauty Biome features vitamins A, D E at bioavailable levels to support skin repair, barrier strength and antioxidant protection.

The launch is aligned with Sakara’s wider array of supplements, which support energy, metabolism, skin health, sleep and vitality.

"Beauty Biome represents the culmination of our Sakara mission rooted in beauty that starts from the inside out," said Sakara co-founders Danielle DuBoise and Whitney Tingle. "We specifically created this supplement to bridge the connection between gut health and skin clarity—showcasing the visible benefits available to us from inner wellness."

6. The Clean to Clean-ical Pivot

The opportunity

By merging clean credentials with proven efficacy, conventional clean skin care brands can compete in a skeptical era.VICHIZH at Adobe StockAmid the closure of clean beauty pioneers like Juice Beauty, there are serious questions being raised about the state and future of clean beauty. One clue to its fate is revealed in a new analysis from Circana's Jennifer Famiano: clinical skin care is increasingly eclipsing clean brands. Why is that?

According to Circana data^c, Q1 2025 clean skin care sales fell because shoppers were "swapping skin care brands with a clean ingredient focus for those rooted in clinical expertise."

This is not a new trendline. According to Famiano, skin care is the leading category for clean beauty sales in prestige channels; these have been dropping since 2022.

As Global Cosmetic Industry has reported in recent years, the rise of clinical, dermatologically focused skin care has answered shopper demands for high-performance and proven efficacy.

While clinical brands focus on concrete claims, benefits and evidence, clean beauty has always struggled from a lack of universal definitions, per the Circana analysis.

In addition, many of these efficacy-focused brands are backed by experts such as medical professionals, chemists and dermatologists, further reinforcing the promises behind brands and specific SKUs.

The inspiration: a clean beauty evolution

Despite the challenges facing clean beauty overall, there remain opportunities for such brands to grow.

Most notably, Famiano points out, clean fragrance is "growing dollar sales by double-digits, led by improvements in alcohol-free formulations," as seen with Guerlain’s L’Eau Rose, YSL Beauty's Libre L'eau Nue Parfum de Peau and J’adore Parfum d’Eau de Dior.

This growth has tracked the growth of fragrance category and taps into a longstanding consumer dislike of alcoholic formulas.

(This has been a boon for brands from the Middle East, which tend to eschew alcoholic bases.)

There are also opportunities in skin care, the core of the clean beauty sector. As Famiano points out, shoppers remain aligned with clean beauty principles around transparency and safety.

But they want proof of efficacy.

This points to opportunities for so-called cleanical skin care brands such as SkinFix, Augustinus Bader, Eighth Day and others.

Clean brands must align with shoppers' expectations and priorities to thrive among consumers focused on clinical claims. As Famiano notes, "Consumers want to know what ingredients they are putting on their skin and ensure the products they use are beneficial to them. Today’s consumer is not only self-educated but discerning, reading reviews and listening to experts on social media."

This generation of clean, clinical brands also have the luxury of tapping into biotech ingredients that are both safe and highly effective, not to mention sustainable.

It's true that clean beauty is facing significant challenges as clinical, efficacy-driven brands continue to gain consumer trust and market share. Shoppers are prioritizing proven results and expert-backed claims, leaving clean beauty to rethink its approach.

However, opportunities still exist, particularly in growing sectors like clean fragrance and the emerging "cleanical" skin care category, where transparency, safety, and performance intersect.

To thrive, clean brands must evolve by aligning with consumer expectations for efficacy and leveraging advancements like biotech ingredients to deliver both trusted and innovative solutions.

The future of clean beauty lies in combining its core principles with the clinical precision demanded by today’s discerning shoppers.

7. Make a Play for Hair

The opportunity

OneSkin entered the hair/scalp wellness space earlier this year.OneSkinHair care was a top grower in the U.S. prestige beauty space in Q1 2025, per Circana data, increasing sales by 4%. Brands targeting scalp care, hair thinning and loss, and heat protection performed particularly well.

This growth has been sustained in recent years as the hair care space has increasingly pivoted toward wellness and health.

It’s no wonder that prominent skin care brands have entered the category, including Augustinus Bader in 2021, CeraVe in 2024 and longevity focused OneSkin earlier this year.

Skin care brands’ inherent focus on health and well-being make them ideally suited to bring similar benefits to the hair and scalp space.

The inspiration: COSRX

COSRX’s Peptide-132 Haircare Collection comprises three steps that reportedly offer professional-level results. COSRXOne of the latest skin care brands to break into hair care is COSRX. The launch marries several key trends:

K-beauty
dermatological beauty
the skinification of hair care (glass skin to glass hair, hair Botox, etc.)

COSRX’s Peptide-132 Haircare Collection comprises three steps that reportedly offer professional-level results. The range’s namesake ingredient, also known as tripeptide-132 HCl, which rebuilds keratin damaged by heat styling, coloring, UV exposure and stress.

The tripeptides molecules are said to be small enough to “penetrate deep into the hair shaft and bind directly to weakened areas, reinforcing internal structure and smoothing the surface.”

The result is reduced breakage, improved manageability, and a restoration of bounce, softness and shine after a single use, per COSRX.

Notably, the formulation is lightweight, making it appropriate for all hair textures.

The SKUs in the range include:

Peptide-132 Ultra Perfect Hair Bonding Shampoo (bond repair, scalp cleansing and calming)
Peptide-132 Ultra Perfect Hair Bonding Treatment (replenished protein and moisture for enhanced shine and strength)
Peptide-132 Ultra Perfect Hair Bonding Oil Serum (frizz reduction and enhanced shine)

10 Takeaways for Facial Skin Care Product Developers and Marketers

Brands that prioritize efficacy and take inspiration from pro treatments have an opportunity to stand out in the prestige facial skin care space. N_studio at Adobe StockExplore Innovative Delivery Formats

Patch-based solutions are revolutionizing facial care by offering targeted treatment for specific skin concerns. Leveraging formats like microneedle patches and hydrocolloid rolls can enhance convenience, efficacy, and appeal to modern consumers seeking quick, reliable results.

Bring the Treatment Room Home

Consumers are eager for professional-grade results at home. Drawing inspiration from medspa trends and creating products like professional cleansers or DIY facial kits can provide accessible, cost-effective solutions without compromising on performance.

Capitalize on Medical Beauty Trends

The rise of medical aesthetics aligns with consumer interest in science-backed beauty. Brands should incorporate clinical-grade actives and expert-backed messaging to meet the growing demand for results-oriented products that mimic medical procedures.

Support the Skin Microbiome

Mental well-being and skin health are more connected than ever. Promoting products that balance the skin microbiome, reduce stress and enhance mood not only addresses skin concerns but also caters to the broader consumer desire for holistic wellness.

Reimagine Teen and Tween Skincare

Gen Alpha prioritizes products targeting skin issues like acne and oiliness, but with evidence-based efficacy. Developing formulations specifically for younger demographics, backed by scientific breakthroughs like sebum-balancing technologies, can capture this emerging audience.

Integrate Beauty from Within

The growing beauty supplement market presents opportunities to combine ingestible and topical solutions. Products that promote skin health from the inside out, particularly those targeting the microbiome or leveraging sustainable, bioavailable ingredients, reinforce a comprehensive wellness narrative.

Evolve Clean Beauty into 'Cleanical'

Shoppers are increasingly prioritizing efficacy over vague "clean" claims. Clean beauty brands must pivot toward a "clean-ical" approach, merging transparency with proven, science-backed ingredients to rebuild trust and meet shopper expectations.

Focus on Scalp and Hair Health

The momentum in scalp care and the "skinification" of hair presents immense opportunities for crossover innovation. Repurposing skin care ingredients like peptides for hair care can drive growth in wellness-focused hair solutions.

Offer Unique Pro At-Home Experiences

Replicating the medspa’s sophistication and results for DIY usage allows beauty brands to cater to consumers looking for accessible luxury. Skin care and hair care ranges that integrate sensory and performance benefits can deliver the desired professional touch.

Stay Ahead with Biotech and Sustainability

Consumers demand efficacy with a conscience. Utilizing sustainable biotech-derived ingredients ensures not only high performance and safety but also aligns with the increasingly eco-conscious shopper mindset.