Nothing tastes as good as healthy skin feels, right? The journey to achieving a luminous visage can feel like a long one, because nowadays there is so much information at our fingertips. With the global skincare market expected to reach sales of over $207 billion by 2028, you can bet there are bigger and better treatments, products, tools and innovation to come in this sector. Whether it’s how to look more naturally “snatched” or a more savvy and cost effective approach to a good skincare routine, below Vogue speaks to the experts to find out the biggest skincare trends for 2023.
Snatched skin
A new wave of treatments promise to deliver the snatched skin that dreams were made of. EmFace, which launches in the UK in March, combines radiofrequency with high intensity electric fields to boost collagen and elastin, firm the skin and ultimately boost the face’s underlying muscle structure for a more sculpted appearance. Needle-free and with no downtime, it’s the key to warding off sagging.
Meanwhile, in-demand aesthetic doctor Dr Sophie Shotter will launch her Advanced Collagen Remodelling Tweakment, a series of treatments that begins with the use of Allergan’s new hybrid injectable, HArmonyCa, to restore facial volume while promoting the natural production of skin collagen. The second, performed a month later, uses Volite, an injectable hyaluronic acid, to boost hydration and texture. You’ll also be sent home with an ingestible collagen supplement and retinoid cream to boost collagen from the inside-out.
At 111 Harley Street, a high-performance radiofrequency and microneedling system called Potenza is set to resurface, lift and tighten skin – expect around one to two days of redness post-treatment.
Skin-deep health
There is no such thing as optimal skin health without a balanced lifestyle – deep down, we all know that. But according to The Future Laboratory, we’re increasingly opting to incorporate “science-led beauty formulas and tools that are designed to have direct health benefits”. Whether it’s Iräye’s lymphatic skincare, that topically activates the body’s lymphatic system, or the TheraFace Pro device which harnesses the powers of percussive therapy to reduce stress-induced facial tension and ease migraines (as well as cleanse the skin), the products we’ll be lusting after go much deeper than simply skin health – they’re also excellent for our overall wellbeing.
The new salon to visit
Facials are no longer simply about boosting the appearance of the skin, either. Andrea Pfeffer, who founded London’s ultra popular Pfeffer Sal clinic, has just launched her new venture, Salon C. Stellar. Yes, your skin will glow, but so will your soul, thanks to its offering of breath work, astrology and nutritional therapy, alongside pack-a-punch facials: “Treatments need to be more than just one dimensional,” she says. “You need to walk out of the salon, having had a transformative experience that has multiple benefits, such as stress release or spiritual reassurance, in addition to achieving great skin.”
Prevention rather than cure
“Millennials and Gen-Z aren’t seeking a cure for ageing, simply because they have not yet aged,” says Dr Shotter. “They crave prevention and preservation. They embark on aesthetic treatments in their twenties and thirties, after finding very subtle signs of ageing.” While the procedures might be the same as those harnessed by their more mature counterparts, she says that the preventative (and, some may say, proactive) route is all about utilising lower doses and volumes of injectables, as well as milder device protocols.
Better your barrier
In 2022, we became very much at one with our skin barrier health – without it, we learned, there is no such thing as a fresh face. We will see more emphasis on nurturing this integral part of the skin this year, focusing even more on the microbiome (or skin flora) : “Any microbiome-unfriendly ingredients, such as alcohol, benzoyl peroxide and so on are disappearing from formulations,” says Dr Tiina Meder, cosmetic dermatologist and GetHarley clinician. “There will be a greater move to boost the microbiome specifically, using gentle prebiotic-based formulas, which will greatly help those suffering from acne, rosacea or skin sensitivity.”
Laser mixing
A multi-layered approach to tackling different skin concerns, laser mixing allows for all areas of the skin to be treated in one session, according to facialist Debbie Thomas. It goes without saying that this must be performed safely by an expert in the field: “From acne breakouts to mottled pigmentation or a flare-up of rosacea, overall health of the skin will be stronger and more resilient,” she says.