Beauty trends 2023: 7 skincare highlights

We present seven skincare trends that are genuinely worth adding to your skincare routine and show which active ingredients will give your skin a special boost this year.

7 beauty trends 2023 that are good for your skin

Whether minimalism, highly effective formulations or smoothing gadgets, the beauty trends of 2023 offer interesting active ingredients for every skin type and skincare routine, alongside an increased focus on sustainable production that fits the spirit of the times.

1. Skincare trends: Highly efficient active ingredients for every skin

Highly effective, efficient and true multitaskers: the skincare industry is increasingly using active ingredients that create radiant skin.

Niacinamide: A beauty trend and wonder weapon

An absolute beauty trend for 2023 is niacinamide, or nicotinamide, a biologically active form of vitamin B3. This water-soluble vitamin is a wonder weapon for various skin needs—from anti-ageing to blemishes. A concentration of 1 to 5 percent is recommended for beginners; if you already have experience with the active ingredient, you can also try creams and serums with up to 10 percent niacinamide. If your skin is more mature, you benefit most from a higher concentration.

• regulates sebum production and fights blemishes
• has an anti-inflammatory effect
• helps even out pigmentation spots
• strengthens the skin barrier and protects against free radicals
• stimulates collagen production
• smooths early wrinkles and lines

Source: Shiny Diamond/pexels

Skincare-trend highlight: Peptides

Peptides are smaller proteins made up of several amino acids and have various natural functions—for example, as human hormones or messengers in plants. In cosmetics, peptides are credited with a long-lasting anti-ageing effect because they stimulate the skin’s collagen production. Other peptides have an anti-inflammatory effect and offer, for example, first aid for sunburn. Their individual building blocks also refresh skin, make it more resilient and improve its appearance.

• fast-absorbing moisturising care
• firms the skin
• promotes collagen production
• regular use delays skin ageing

Beauty-trend retinol: Vitamin A for well-cared-for skin

Retinol, also known as vitamin A, is a fat-soluble vitamin important for many different processes in the human body. It supports not only cell growth but also the normal function of the immune system, eyesight and mucous membranes. Retinol is also essential for the skin: on the one hand, it is a natural antioxidant that protects skin cells from the negative influence of various free radicals; on the other, it affects the appearance and structure of the skin. Retinol can also help with reducing large pores.

• neutralises cell-damaging free radicals
• stimulates collagen production
• reduces wrinkle depth
• reduces pores
• thickens skin and makes it more resilient
• stimulates the skin’s regenerative ability
• regulates moisture balance
• has an exfoliating effect for a smooth complexion

2. Beauty trends 2023: Skinimalism—less is more

The coinage “skinimalism”—composed of “skin” and “minimalism”—is a beauty trend that reduces skincare and make-up to the essentials while delivering lasting results. This reduced but well-considered skincare routine aims to engage more actively with beauty-product ingredients and find the optimal composition for your own skin.

Skinimalism: Three products are enough

Daniel Isaacs, research director of the cosmetics brand Medi8, recommends reducing skincare to three excellent products: a good vitamin C serum, broad-spectrum sun protection and a highly effective vitamin A product. If your skin has special needs, you can of course expand or adapt this basis. You’ll make things especially easy for yourself and your skin if you choose coordinated products from a single care range—this saves your skin a great deal of stress.

Source: Liana Horodetska/pexels

How skinimalism works

How can you start with skinimalism? Proceed as you would when sorting out your wardrobe: take each product in your hand, look at its ingredients and consider how often you use it and how it makes you and your skin feel. Whatever is enjoyable and feels good can stay—the rest goes. Also discard all expired products. Incidentally, skinimalism is one of our anti-ageing tips: too much care does not benefit mature skin either.

3. Clean beauty as a 2023 cosmetics trend

For some time now, it has been clear that the beauty trend is increasingly moving toward sustainability and clean products. In this context, “clean” means cosmetics without questionable ingredients. Toxic, poisonous and harmful active ingredients are avoided; only high-quality, nourishing ingredients that care for and nourish the skin are used.

• Artificial colours and fragrances: these irritate skin and, in the worst case, can trigger allergies.
• Mineral oils: the by-products of the petroleum industry can clog pores and are suspected of being carcinogenic.
• Parabens: these controversial preservatives prevent bacterial growth in cosmetics and make them last longer, but can have a major effect on our health.
• Phthalates: emulsifiers keep products supple. However, they can be absorbed through the skin and, like parabens, are linked to illness.

Clean beauty is not necessarily connected with vegan products or organic and natural cosmetics. In addition, “clean” is not a protected term and is therefore always a matter of interpretation—even in the cosmetics industry. It is best to ask manufacturers directly which clean-beauty principles they follow and which standards their products meet.

Source: Alesia Kozik/pexels

4. Beauty trends 2023: Exotic active ingredients

A major skincare trend in 2023 is exotic active ingredients, such as bakuchiol or Japanese indigo.

Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol is a gentle, natural alternative to retinol derived from the babchi plant, also called resin clover. It grows in India, Sri Lanka, China and Iran and reaches a height of around 90 centimetres. Yet not only the pleasant scent of its purple flowers is unique: the plant has been used to treat skin diseases for many centuries, especially in India.

Bakuchiol is very gentle on skin and still effective:

• For sensitive skin, bakuchiol has a soothing effect and helps with redness or irritation.
• Do you have pigmentation spots? As a serum, bakuchiol can penetrate deep into the skin and improve their appearance.
• On mature skin, bakuchiol stimulates collagen production, leading to smooth, firm skin. It also protects the skin’s connective tissue.
• If you suffer from blemished skin, bakuchiol can have a calming effect and be used to treat acne or pimples.

Unlike retinol, a vitamin-A acid, bakuchiol is a natural active ingredient and therefore prevents skin irritation or redness.

Japanese indigo

The new trend ingredient for 2023 is Japanese indigo (also called dyer’s knotweed). Japanese indigo grows in Eastern Europe and Asia and was historically used mainly for its blue dyeing properties—as a replacement for classic indigo.

Besides its use for dyeing, the plant has always been used in Japanese medicine to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis or eczema. Its healing effect lies primarily in anti-inflammatory components. This is due to a high proportion of the nitrogen-containing compound tryptanthrin, which flushes toxins from the body and balances the skin. At the same time, Japanese indigo strengthens your natural skin barrier, soothes your skin and makes it supple without weighing it down.

5. Skincare trends: Supplements and inner beauty

We have long known that our skin’s appearance is closely connected with general physical wellbeing. For your skin to truly glow, make sure your gut flora is intact and you consume all essential nutrients and vitamins. Your mental health and hormonal balance can also have a major effect on your skin.

The latest-generation dietary supplements ensure your body gets everything it needs and thus promote beautiful skin from within. Whether zinc, biotin, vitamin C or omega-3—depending on your skin’s needs, you can additionally support it with supplements. Collagen drinks are now also widely available and support the body’s own collagen production.

Source: Nataliya Vaitkevich/pexels

Despite supplements, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet. Drink plenty of water, largely avoid alcohol and cigarettes, apply UV protection to your skin every day and choose fresh, nutrient-rich foods. This lets you shine from within!

6. Beauty trends 2023: Eye pads

You see them in every drugstore, on Instagram and TikTok and perhaps even in your own refrigerator: we are talking about eye pads—the beauty trend of 2023.

Eye pads primarily fight dark circles and work against signs of tiredness, harmful environmental influences or stress. Conveniently packaged and soaked in highly effective tinctures, they are ideal for a fresh kick in the morning or before important events. Ideally, place eye pads under your eyes for 20 minutes after cleansing your face two to three times a week for optimal results.

Source: Shiny Diamond/pexels

Ideal active ingredients in eye pads

• Panthenol reduces lymphatic congestion under the eyes and has a decongestant effect.
• Caffeine wakes up tired eyes and refreshes them.
• Hyaluronic acid, Q10, vitamins A, C and E, as well as aloe vera or collagen, actively work against wrinkles and pigmentation spots.

All eye pads also reduce puffiness and eye bags through their energising, cooling effect. For pronounced dark circles and eye bags, microneedling can also be a suitable treatment. You can intensify the cooling effect by storing your pads in the refrigerator.

7. Beauty trends 2023: Trust a beauty expert

The beauty industry now produces countless products that are almost impossible for non-experts to keep track of themselves. Many people also do not know what their skin needs, which ingredients are particularly effective and what they should avoid.

That is why our favourite beauty trend this year is valuable expert advice: your skincare professional supports and advises you on all matters concerning skin. They put together a plan of products that suit your skin and achieve the best results. Regular visits are important so you can adapt your current care to new needs.

Source: Anna Shvets/pexels

Are you looking for a studio where you will receive good advice? At Sanft & Schön in Berlin-Mitte, we will be happy to advise you! Alongside classic facial treatments, you can also do something good for your skin with microneedling, Aquafacial or microdermabrasion in Berlin Mitte. Come by and see for yourself!

Conclusion: Beauty trends 2023

This year again brings exciting beauty trends that you should definitely try: whether clean cosmetics, dietary supplements for the skin, minimalist skincare or exotic active ingredients—there is something here for every skin need.

Nevertheless, the trend is clearly moving away from the do-it-yourself mentality: given the ever-growing selection of care products, a trusted expert by your side is worth their weight in gold. They can put together a sophisticated skincare routine for you and are your first point of contact for everything concerning your skin. This gives you optimal all-round care—and your skin shines in all its glory.