It’s no secret 2020 was a big year for skin care. With working from home and staying in the new norm, our morning makeup routines of tinted moisturiser and lengthening mascara were left in the dust as we turned all our attention to our naked complexions.
Sales soared for sheet masks and jade rollers, as our evening rituals became just as much about self-care as skin care. And with salons shut for some time, the rise of at-home microcurrent devices and LED light therapy masks were the tech tools of choice.
So what does 2021 have in store? These are the skin care trends to look forward to.
The ‘midi’ skin care routine
One year, it was all about the Korean 10-step routine. The next, we were all for skip care and keeping it minimal. But for 2021, we’re looking towards a middle ground that’s catered to skin types rather than hitting a certain high or low number. Just like the dress of the same name, the midi skin care routine will prove popular thanks to its versatility and adaptability. Start with the non-negotiables ie. cleanser, moisturiser and SPF. After that, it’s just about adding in what your skin needs in between, whether that be a hydrating serum or a pore-refining acid.
Hero acids
Speaking of acids, boy are we obsessed. Among the biggest beauty search terms for the year were queries about AHAs , lactic acid and glycolic acid. And after we all spent lockdown researching the benefits of each, most of our routines are no longer complete without one of these exfoliating heroes applied every 2-3 days. If you’re still unsure which one is right for you, here’s our guide to face acids.
bh recommends:Alpha-H Liquid Gold, BOOST LAB AHA Glow Resurfacing Serum and Dr. LeWinn’s Reversaderm Corrective Skin Peel.
All for hybrids
With our skin care steps more streamlined and targeted, new and improved 2-in-1 products are increasing in popularity. Whether it be a toning serum, oil-infused moisturiser or lightweight SPF serum, we’re all for combining benefits (as long as it works!).
bh recommends: Ultraceuticals Even Skintone Serum Concentrate, Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50+ ($47 at Adore Beauty) and Sensori+ Clarifying & Strengthening Serum-in-Oil.
Into antioxidants
Every skin care expert will wax lyrical about how important daily SPF is, but if you’ve nailed that one down already, it’s lesser known partner in protection is finally getting some limelight.
Antioxidants similarly act like a shield for your skin, helping to protect against damage caused by free radicals and environmental aggressors like UV and pollution.
So how can you tell if you’ve got antioxidants in your routine? Vitamin C, vitamin E, retinol, ferulic acid and niacinamide are all rich in the stuff.
It also explains why vitamin C and niacinamide were two highly searched ingredients this year.
Top tip: Apply vitamin C as part of your morning routine for protection throughout the day and keep retinol (which can cause sun sensitivity) for night, where its antioxidants will be used to repair the skin.
bh recommends: Plunkett’s Vita E Oil, Skin Physics Oxygen-C Vitamin C Brightening Serum, La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum and Skin Physics Dragon’s Blood Retinol Sleep Serum.
Ingestible collagen
If you’re clued up on collagen, you’ll know it’s an essential factor for plump and juicy skin. The bad news is, it depletes pretty quickly from our 20s and beyond. It’s also something our body naturally produces, which makes it pretty hard to replace topically via creams and lotions. The solution? Ingestible collagen. Beauty powders have been around for a while, but the science behind them has greatly improved of late. And while the jury is still out as to whether they provide truly transformative results – we say it can’t hurt to try!
bh recommends: Harmony My Beauty, Kynd Collagen+, Abeeco Ultra Collagen, Bioglan Marine Collagen Beauty Powder and Nature’s Way Beauty Collagen Gummies.
Customisable skin care
What encompasses all of the above and beyond is our want for hyper-personalised products. After all, skin care is not one-size-fits-all. Whether this be as simple as mix-your-own peels (so you control the strength) or as high tech as using a swab of your DNA to customise a specific routine (yep, it’s a thing), we’re craving customisation more than ever before and brands are listening. Although, of course, the most classic form of this is to book in an appointment with a dermatologist and have your skin assessed. But where’s the trend in that?
What do you think of these 2021 skin care trends? What’s the best skin discovery you made in the last year?
Love my rose quartz face roller, so cooling and relaxing especially on a hot summers day. Use mine every day morning and night.
I have been eating my collagen through bone broth. My skin, hair and nails seem improve through good nutrition.
Ingestible collagen.. might want to try it..
Have never had any luck with ingestible beauty powders (including collagen ones), so I’ll avoid that again this year. I’m pretty good with the rest of my skincare routine & am happy with what I have in my stash atm, although I would love it if my sensitive & somewhat fussy skin would tolerate Vitamin C more.
I’m using Avon anew on my face and its left my skin so smooth.
Fruits, veg, raw , daily in abundance. Skin is hydrated and healthy, vibrant. Mine was measured in skin clinic recently, for my age- results apparently were amazing (as one in late 20s with healthy skin would have and I am way past that haha). Oh, and learned not to complicate skincare routine. And high acid, retinol and spf50. Only things that made difference so far externally. Nothing else. And found that moisturizers / oils suffocate my skin and do zilch too. Gosh I rant.
Stay healthy and your skin will show it.
Shame you can’t buy Avon here anymore, or at least that’s what I thought.
I’ve always been minimal with my skincare
Good information in this article. I guess we each have to find what works for us.
Sounds great
Hayley I have a rose quartz roller also. Apart from how lovely it is on my skin I love how pretty it is to look at 😀
Im sticking with my Olay miracle boost but I tried the Neutrogena Hydro Boost range and found that my skin loves it so I will continue to use that in 2021.
oohhh,,,,,,how did you manage to get hold of Avon skincare products Igauci?? Avon had some lovely products and I was quite sad when they left Australia. Have you found a way to order online?
I’m not a fan of ingestible collagen, but I would like to try Ultra Violet sunscreens
Some of these sound interesting, I really do need to use up my stash though. Definitely a first world problem!
I’ll try most things once so see if I like them or they like me so I am looking forward to exploring again this year:)
Only got into antioxidants a bit more like a year ago. Didn’t give it a lot of thoughts. I feel like there is so much info to take in already about how to maintain let alone optimise one’s skin. I struggle with healthy diet more than anything and I am sure that makes the most difference.
I’m all for hybrids. Oils are really working for me lately – hair, skin, body.
Great article, happy to see I’m already doing some of this but there’s always room for improvement!
I’m pretty happy with my skincare at the moment. I’m using Kiehl’s and my skin is loving it.
Edible collagen sounds intriguing
I love acids, but I often find hybrid products don’t work as well.
Meedee They were a Christmas present but yes you can order online. Good luck
Interesting article, I am always open to giving something new a try and look forward to all that 2021 brings in the way of skincare, selfcare and makeup Xx
Thanks BH for a very interesting article on Skin Care Trends for 2021 especially enjoyed reading about AHAs , lactic acid and glycolic acid and the Hybrids as well. So much good information.
Igauci….Thanks for your respones .. what website do you use? I would love to have a good look through and see if they still have some of the old favorites.
Vitamin C and niacinamide were my two big finds this year that have really improved my skin.
I’m all about minimal skincare these days, cleanser and moisturiser and the occasional acne treatment.
Meedee go to avon online australian brochure.I hope that helps lgauci
I popped ‘avon online australian brouchre’ into google and of course got US ones and the only Australian/New Zealand ones I could find where dated 2018…LOL Im really not having much luck….ah well not to worry…thanks for your help Igauci…much appreciated
I am in for whatever my skin is asking for.
I used to be about all of the skincare steps, but I’m now finding my skin is just fine with less products
I really like some of the Avon face creams as well.
Luckily I still have some left in my stash.
It was unfortunate that the brand left Australia.
I’m sticking with my E45 moisturiser
Vitamin C seems to really give my skin a boost
so many good skincare items
My skin is doing well at the moment with the Hydro boost gel – cream and the Cerave HA serum.
I find sheet masks annoying – they always fall off before time for me
I love trying new skincare products. I use retinol consistently but I added vitamin C and niacinamide to my skincare routine during 2020, both of which my skin loved.
That’s okay Meedee.
Oooo new products!
I like to try new products, but generally go back to my tried and true Clinique 3 step. I include an eye cream and sometimes a serum nowadays. And of course, always a sunscreen.
Edible collagen sounds far fetched. Can’t see how it will be useful once it has been through the digestive system.
Interesting… Waiting to see if it’s hype or for reals…
I discovered Alpha-H products last year and enjoy using them.
I take collagen supplements but get from the health food store rather than a ‘beauty’ one. Cheaper and I think more effective
I love Dr Lewinns Reversaderm range
Ingestible collagen….yeah i havent seen any significant results or any groundbreaking changes for me to ingest it! plus alot of fruit and vegies contain natural collagen.
Alpha Liquid Gold is a cult fave of mine- once you try it there is turning back.