The biggest skincare trends to look out for in 2021 according to experts

“Now that wearing a face mask and working from home is the new norm, we can wear less make-up and focus more on improving our skin quality. I’ve noticed more patients doing laser treatments with downtime, as it is more socially convenient to afford the downtime now.

Moreover, as we move towards the trend of wearing less makeup and achieving a natural-looking, healthy skin glow, tinted sunscreens and lightweight make-up bases will be popular.

Maskne will be here to stay, so it will be important to have effective yet gentle treatments for acne. Backuchiol is a plant-derived retinoid that delivers anti-acne and skin firming results without the potential irritation of retinol.”

– Dr Michelle Wong of IDS Clinic

“I believe that the trends of glass and mochi skin are here to stay because individuals – both men and women – always want a smooth, poreless appearance. Mochi skin refers to a more matte complexion while glass skin is essentially a dewy and glowy appearance. To achieve such complexions, it is inherent to sustain a healthy skin barrier function.

Molecules that can help you achieve glass skin are hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic (said to hold five times more water than hyaluronic acid and is known to be a humectant). These work very well in our tropical climate. To achieve a mattifying effect on the skin, the use of sebum regulators such as topical zinc (used as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of acne and also for its ability to regulate sebum) can aid in doing so. All these can interfere with the physiological functions of the skin and give rise to a certain appearance that is desirable.

Additionally, I feel that since the skin microbiome is such a relevant topic now because of maskne and interventions that can assist in that will be a trend going forward. I would say botanical anti-inflammatory active ingredients are far more appropriate for the treatment of maskne compared to salicylic acid.

Also, textile cosmeceutical is a trend to note. They relate to metallic nanoparticles that are incorporated in textiles that continue to be released when they are in contact with the skin and this has beneficial anti-inflammatory effects on skin besides its ability to kill bacteria on contact. A lot of our focus has been on ageing on the facial skin but it is important to understand that the rest of the skin is visible and is also affected by the ageing process. I feel that women who are conscious about their skincare regimen are also aware that it is not just the face that is ageing but also the body.”

– Dr Teo Wan Lin of TWL Specialist Skin and Laser Centre

“Minimalism in skincare and makeup routines will be the new trend. As we focus on the most potent and effective ingredients, there really is no longer a need for the complicated 12-step Korean skincare routine. Powerful and high-performance skincare will dominate in 2021, as consumers increasingly reach for products that offer visible results.

Ingredients that will be at the forefront include high-performance peptides and antioxidants like vitamin C. Shorter ingredient lists and less complicated skincare steps will also mean fewer possibilities for adverse reactions and less room for irritating ingredients. This also means less layering, which will reduce the risk of occlusion and maskne.

Additionally, weeks of Zoom video calls have taken a toll on our complexions. We will continue to see a rise in the trend of consumers wanting to look into cosmetic procedures that address facial concerns of the upper face such as crow’s feet, eye bags, dark eye circles and forehead wrinkles. Personally, I have witnessed this movement with an uptick in the number of patients requesting procedures such as botulinum toxin or energy-based devices that can treat periorbital laxity.

With all this in play, I believe there will be a trend in applying light, natural makeup since many of us now understand the need to reduce the amount of occlusive products used to keep maskne and other forms of mask-related dermatitis at bay. We will also likely see make-up formulas specially developed to include skin benefitting ingredients to enhance the appearance of a natural complexion or concurrent improvement in skin health.”

– Dr Angeline Yong of AYD Dermatology

“The first trend I have noticed – and will probably continue to grow – is the trend of using products targeted at skin irritation. With mask-wearing being a new norm, maskne, eczema and other skin irritations could become a common skin issue faced by many.

Another trend I foresee continuing is the clean beauty trend. We are seeing more educated consumers, those that are well-versed about what‘s going into their skincare. They are paying attention to the product ingredient lists to see if there are any ingredients they wish to avoid. With consumers being more educated, it brings about the importance of brand transparency especially in terms of product formulation and ingredients.

The last trend to look out for is the use of multi-purpose products. I believe consumers are looking out for skincare products that are multi-faceted.”

– Charlene Sim, founder of local skincare label Glowfully

“This past year has been truly transformative for people globally and we’ve seen a huge shift in one’s approach to beauty rituals and self-care. In 2020, we’ve seen skincare take on a new role as an important aspect of self-care. Over the years, skincare products have become more targeted and results-driven, with innovations that do more for the skin.

As an extension of this focused concept, we predict that 2021 will bring an increased demand for disruptive body care, resulting in the ‘skinification’ of body care. This approach will lead to new innovations in the body care category with a skincare-centric approach to benefits in addition to hydration. We see this trend raising the bar for body treatments, as well as all skin on the body. Formulas will leverage new textures, actives and approaches to create a sensorial and efficacious experience from head to toe.”

– Christine Chang (left), co-founder of Glow Recipe

“Maskne became a huge skin issue this year as a result of extended periods of time wearing a mask and we know this will continue to be a skin concern going forward. As a result, we predict that 2021 will have a huge emphasis on skin-soothing and calming ingredients like Centella Asiatica as well as barrier-strengthening ingredients like ceramides to assist with skin immunity.

(Read also “How To Treat Maskne Scars“)

After a year of skin stress, it will be imperative that products in 2021 are focused on repairing the skin. In addition to healing, we foresee innovations that focus on detoxification and barrier recovery in various forms, like innovative facials or masks that help detoxify skin while soothing and moisturising.”

– Sarah Lee (right), co-founder of Glow Recipe

This article was first published in Female.

Read Next

10 beauty editor-approved highlighters that'll have you glowing in your next Zoom call

23 youthful-looking Asian celebrities who just never seem to age

12 lightweight beauty products for smooth complexion under your mask