Science and technology are paving the way for a future where skin and hair care are seamlessly integrated with wellness. How are today’s market trends and drivers moving us in this direction? Here, several industry experts weighed in.
This article is only available to registered users.
Log In to View the Full Article
Science and technology are paving the way for a future where skin and hair care are seamlessly integrated with wellness. How are today’s market trends and drivers moving us in this direction? Here, several industry experts weighed in.
The skin care market is advancing, driven by biotech breakthroughs like lab-grown actives and fermentation, AI-powered personalization and at-home technologies such as LED masks and microcurrent devices. These innovations prioritize efficacy, sustainability and targeted solutions for anti-aging, acne, eczema and even genetics-based personalization. With the global DNA-based skin care market projected to grow from US $7.61 billion in 2024 to $11.29 billion by 2030,1 and the medical-grade skin care market expected to reach $168.17 billion by the same year,2 the focus on tangible, results-driven wellness is stronger than ever.
Recent examples of results-driven research include insights on rosemary extract’s potential for skin benefits, with studies from the University of Pennsylvania showing its ability to promote scar-free healing through carnosic acid, a natural antioxidant that activates regenerative repair pathways.3 Meanwhile, Kao Corp. has uncovered the role of tight junctions and claudin-3 in sensitive skin, offering new solutions to reduce discomfort and improve skin barrier function.4
Similarly, the hair care market is undergoing a revolution, with a focus on personalization, scalp health and sustainability. Valued at $106.91 billion in 2024 and projected to grow to $213.47 billion by 2032,5 this sector is embracing biotechnology, AI-driven tools and clean ingredients to deliver holistic, high-tech solutions. Innovations like smart hairbrushes and IoT-enabled styling tools are transforming consumer engagement.
In terms of research, interestingly, a University of Tokyo study suggests that graying hair may serve as a protective mechanism against melanoma, highlighting the intricate connections between hair health and overall wellness.6 Additionally, rosemary oil has, again, gained further traction as a natural hair growth solution, with some experts equating its efficacy to 2.5% minoxidil.7
These market and research insights illustrate how science and technology are not only meeting, but exceeding consumer expectations, paving the way for a future where beauty and wellness are seamlessly integrated. So how do today’s market trends and drivers move us in this integrated direction? We asked several industry experts to weigh in; following are insights from:
- Andrea Tomlinson, Momentive Performance
Materials - Claudia Barba, Ph.D., Univar Solutions
- Marjorie Morris, Primient Covation
- Luciana Uttembergue D’Elia, DSM-Firmenich
- Mariana Vergara, M.D., Beauty Villa Vergara
Ingredient Focus, AI and Eco Impact
According to Andrea Tomlinson, marketing manager of personal care in Europe for Momentive Performance Materials, the focus on ingredients in general started about 10 years ago, when brands such as The Ordinary and the INKEY list began calling them out on product packaging. This move opened the door to consumer education and a new way of understanding skin care. “[This ingredient focus] … extended into both color cosmetics and hair care, with the skinification of all cosmetics products being a significant trend,” Tomlinson observed.
At the same time, both legislative changes and a greater awareness of ingredients have started to drive a change in chassis formulations to more naturally derived ingredients, per Tomlinson. “As legislation in Europe develops further, and consumers become increasingly well-informed, we can expect to see an even greater focus on the environmental impact of cosmetic ingredients and final formulations.”
What’s more, Tomlinson adds that the internet has brought a new level of transparency around the ingredients and composition of cosmetic formulations for skin and hair. “[A]nd with the developments in AI, this can only be expected to accelerate.”
Related to this eco-conscious market direction, in 2025, Momentive launched a 100% bio-based elastomer gel, Harmonie NatuVel (INCI: Coco-Caprylate/Caprate (and) Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer (and) Squalane). The material enables formulators to deliver soft focus and blurring effects while providing a luxurious, cushioned sensory.
“It has been developed using the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry,” Tomlinson wrote, “and is Cosmos-certified.” The material was reportedly created to support the move toward naturally derived materials while also maintaining expected performance. “The natural elastomer gel can function as an anhydrous vehicle for challenging actives such as vitamin C,” Tomlinson explained.
Personalization, Sustainability, Health and Longevity
“Consumers are increasingly seeking tailored solutions,” observed Claudia Barba, Ph.D., North American technical services manager, beauty and personal care ingredients and specialties, at Univar Solutions. “Brands are leveraging AI-driven diagnostics, online quizzes and data-based formulations to deliver personalized routines.” In addition, LED devices combined with topical creams, serums and lotions create integrated treatment experiences.
She also noted that demand for sustainable, ethical beauty continues to rise. “Consumers favor products with natural, responsibly sourced ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. …Transparency regarding ingredient origin, manufacturing processes and environmental impact is now a key purchase driver.”
Additional trends, per Barba, include:
- Products that support overall health, including microbiome-friendly formulas and actives like retinol, peptides and niacinamide. “Lifestyle shifts toward supplements and sensorial experiences reflect a desire … to nurture both the mind and body,” she explained.
- And while natural ingredients remain popular, consumers demand clinically validated efficacy. “Brands are incorporating biotech-derived actives … to promote skin and hair longevity and resilience, moving beyond just proactive health optimization.”
Moving forward, Barba sees an emphasis on barrier repair, stress modulation and longevity. Also, hair care will embrace skinification, integrating nutraceuticals for thinning, dandruff and damage.
Responding to these dynamics, Barba points to Eterwell Youth (INCI: Epilobium Fleischeri Leaf/Stem Extract) by DSM-Firmenich. This senolytic targets senescence while boosting collagen synthesis and is clinically proven to rejuvenate skin by up to six years in three months.
Also, DSM’s OXY 229 CB (INCI: Water (Aqua) (and) Glycerin (and) Caprylyl Glycol (and) 1,2-Hexanediol (and) Saccharomyces Lysate (and) Valine (and) Threonine (and) Glutamic Acid (and) Glycine (and) Disodium Succinate) delivers postbiotic peptides and amino acids to reinforce internal hair structure and enhance scalp vitality. “Visible benefits include reduced damage, smoother texture and increased shine,” she noted.
Cross-Category Solutions, Scalp Care and Biotech
Marjorie Morris, Zemea global marketing director at Primient Covation, sees demand for medical-grade, dermatologist-developed products rising as consumers seek effective, expert-backed formulations. “Brands now offer stacked products targeting both skin and hair, with a focus on microbiome-friendly multifunctional ingredients such as propanediol, collagen peptides and niacinamide,” she explained.
According to Morris, essential skin care products will include antioxidants, ceramides and SPF, while hair products may feature UV protectants and detoxifying agents. “The trend leans toward multifunctional products, with consumers favoring fewer steps in their routines.” She also noted that scalp care is evolving to focus on the scalp microbiome, hair-loss solutions for both genders, and bond-repair innovations. In addition, to Morris, there is a growing trend toward clinically validated claims, leading to the increased popularity of exfoliating scrubs, peptide serums and solutions for hair thinning.
“Research on microbial balance will spur the development of new, clean, sustainable formulations,” she continues. “We also will see more consumers prioritizing ethics and expecting transparency in ingredient sourcing.” In terms of sourcing, Morris underscores how biotech ingredients are becoming mainstream as lab-grown and fermented active components replace scarce natural alternatives.
“The clean beauty movement is becoming more regulated, emphasizing transparency through third-party safety certifications,” Morris adds. “Trends like waterless beauty and sustainable packaging are on the rise. Additionally, hormone-friendly skin care and stress-responsive formulations are increasing, with a focus on the mind-skin connection and … [move toward] longevity and functional support.”
Responding to these market dynamics are biotech-aligned ingredients like Zemea (INCI: Propanediol), which according to Morris, is 100% bio-based, helps to replace petrochemical glycols, enables cleaner formulations and enhances the delivery of actives.
Longevity, Performance and Holistic Well-being
“We cannot talk about hair and scalp health without considering longevity,” emphasizes Luciana Uttembergue D’Elia, senior marketing and technical manager at DSM-Firmenich. “Longevity in personal care is a future-proof trend that blends science, wellness and inclusivity. It’s not just about living longer but living healthier; balancing lifespan and healthspan for overall well-being.”
Uttembergue D’Elia notes that consumers are increasingly drawn to products that deliver performance and efficacy, meeting evolving needs at every life stage. “This macro trend is opening more conversations around cellular care and prevention. Companies are using the 12 hallmarks of aging as a roadmap to develop technologies that target aging at its root and deliver advanced, science-based innovation.”
According to Uttembergue D’Elia, longevity is a key priority in DSM-Firmenich’s innovation platform, as reflected in the company’s award-winning technologies: Eterwell Youth (INCI: Epilobium Fleischeri Leaf/Stem Extract) and Eterwell Hair (INCI: Linum Alpinum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract), which are designed to target and remove senescent cells from skin and scalp to restore vitality.
“Additionally, our upcoming launch, Exovive Lift (INCI: Pending) – a plant exosome technology – has been clinically proven to address nine of the 12 hallmarks of aging, supporting healthier, rejuvenated and lifted skin appearance,” says Uttembergue D’Elia. “These innovations represent a new era where beauty and science converge to promote holistic well-being.”
Clinical-Grade Skin Care and Biohacking Aging
Finally, Mariana Vergara, M.D., an expert in aesthetic medicine at the brand Beauty Villa Vergara, observes, “the current market trends in products promoting skin and hair health are products with clinical-grade ingredients and [those that are] scientifically researched,” she writes. Examples include growth factors, peptides, exosomes or exosome-derived ingredients, and stem cell-derived proteins.
“Longevity ingredients like NAD help to support cellular energy, skin repair and inflammation control,” she continues, adding that ceramides and hyaluronic acid are also trendy. “The futures of all of these ingredients are regenerative skin care and cellular longevity.
“Patients are trying to biohack aging and support their skin and health at a cellular level, targeting firmness and reduced inflammation. We’re seeing many people take charge to prevent aging earlier on, and there is potential for more innovation with services and treatments that allow patients to use their own cells to support longevity.”
Per Vergara, advanced delivery systems (e.g., liposomes, nanocarriers, hydrogels, etc.) enable regenerative peptides – including acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and copper tripeptide-1; and the NAD⁺ precursors nicotinamide mononucleotide and nicotinamide riboside – to penetrate the skin and scalp, supporting cellular repair, barrier function and hair follicle regeneration.
“Also, AI-driven personalization and digital diagnostics combined with in-clinic and at-home devices (such as microneedling, RF, LED and LLLT) allow treatments to be tailored to individual biology and lifestyle while amplifying efficacy,” Vergara writes. “These technologies can work together to create a fully integrated, regenerative, outcome-focused approach in aesthetic medicine.”
Conclusions
The convergence of science, technology and sustainability is testing the boundaries of skin and hair care, driving innovation that prioritizes efficacy, personalization and eco-consciousness. From biotech breakthroughs and AI-driven diagnostics to regenerative ingredients and advanced delivery systems, the focus is on holistic well-being and longevity. As these trends continue to evolve, they promise a future where beauty and wellness are seamlessly integrated, meeting the ever-growing demand for results-driven, ethical and personalized solutions.
References
- Grandview Research. (Accessed 2025, Dec 16). DNA-based skin care products market (2025 - 2030). Available at https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/dna-based-skin-care-products-market
- Mordor Intelligence. (Accessed 2025, Dec 16). Dermocosmetics skin care products market size and share analysis - Growth trends and forecast (2025 - 2030). Available at https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/dermocosmetics-skin-care-products-market
- Science Daily. (Accessed 2025, Dec 16). Scientists say this viral rosemary skincare trend actually works. Available at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251207031329.htm
- Cosmetics & Toiletries. (Accessed 2025, Dec 16). Kao Corp. uncovers breakthrough insights into sensitive skin: Tight junctions and claudin-3. Available at https://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/research/literature-data/news/22955108/kao-corp-uncovers-breakthrough-insights-into-sensitive-skin
- Fortune Business Insights. (2025, Dec 1). Hair care market size, share and industry analysis, by product (hair colorants, shampoo, conditioner, hair oil, and others), by category (synthetic and natural), by distribution channel (supermarket/hypermarket, specialty stores, online stores, and others) and regional forecasts, 2025 – 2032. Available at https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/hair-care-market-102555
- Gray, L. (2025, Nov 18). A new study just found a surprising health benefit of having gray hair. The Healthy. Available at https://www.thehealthy.com/news/gray-hair-university-of-tokyo-study-november-2025/
- Stessman, E. (2025, Nov 16). Experiencing hair thinning? The ingredients that actually work, according to experts. Today. Available at https://www.today.com/shop/best-ingredients-for-hair-growth-rcna149008
