Nude skincare

A mere month has passed this year, yet beauty experts have already identified the key super fruits and ingredients that will be dominating the beauty world in the upcoming 11 months. With an ear perennially to the ground of this tight-knit industry, Mintel beauty analyst Nica Lewis has picked up the inside scoop, so grab a pen and start taking notes.

Probiotics

By now, many of us are familiar with probiotic drinks such as Actimel and Yakult, which are packed with live bacteria designed to strengthen our immune systems and maintain a healthy gut. The growing trend in the beauty industry has been to harness the powers of such ‘good’ bacteria and inject these into face creams designed to combat everything from acne to wrinkles. Although the study of probiotics (literally meaning ‘for life’) is still at an infant stage, this hasn’t stopped intrepid beauty experts from launching skincare products that include these ingredients. Nude was launched in 2007, and its Age Defence Intense Moisturiser, for example, includes bioactive milk peptides. Similarly, SK1N Probiotics Systems has created a range of 8 unique products that contain a probiotic formulation that is designed to ‘repair, rejuvenate, and renew’ your skin.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide

Although peptides (which are essentially proteins) have been used in beauty products for the past few years, 2009 is set to be the year of Palmitoyl Tripeptide. This substance is often referred to as synthetic collagen, as it effectively mimics the youth-restorative substance our body naturally produces. Palmitoyl Tripeptide’s ability to reconstitute the skin is truly impressive, with in vitro studies revealing that it has the ability of reducing wrinkles by over 29% in a mere 30 days. Dermalogica’s AGE Smart line is an innovative anti-age range which includes this advanced and potent ingredient.

Acerola Cherry and Baobab

In the past few years, pomegranates and goji berries have held the title of ‘antioxidant super fruits.’ This year it will be all about the acerola cherry and baobab. Extremely rich in vitamin C, prepare to see these exotic fruits invade the shelves of your local supermarket. Just make sure you consume these in sensible amounts and don’t stop eating your apples and bananas simply to succumb to passing food fads.

Locavore Movement

In 2007, the word ‘locavore’ was the word of the year for the Oxford American Dictionary. Used to describe an individual who prefers to eat food that is locally produced and which has not travelled many miles, the locavore movement has been gaining vast momentum in the past few years, particularly in the States. 2009 will see this concept applied to the beauty industry, as producers seek to bring fair trade beauty products from closer shores to increasingly eco-conscious consumers.