Economic reports indicate that the year 2025 will present a stable global economic outlook, but with moderate growth rates. According to the projections of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), global growth will remain at 3.2% by the end of 2024 and will increase slightly to 3.3% in 2025.
However, this stability may be affected by several factors, such as persistent inflation in some countries, trade tensions, geoeconomic fragmentation and the continuity of the wars in Ukraine and Israel. These factors will impact the trends in cosmetics by 2025.
The global cosmetics market has a projected value of US $758 billion by 2025 and a CAGR of 4.6% in the period from 2025 to 2033. Next, I want to share with you some of the projections that I consider most interesting for next year.
The consumer in 2025
The cosmetics trends for 2025 are closely related to technology and innovation. Health-based strategies will be key, as consumers will look for products that are not only effective but also address mental and emotional health.
In addition, the consumer of 2025 is expected to be more aware of the environmental and social impact of their purchasing decisions.
- Ageing population: The proportion of people over 65 years of age will continue to increase. For this reason, well-being and health will continue to be a priority for the main innovations of the cosmetic industry in this segment. The senior consumer is now multichannel and protagonist.
- Artificial Intelligence: AI will continue to transform the way we interact with cosmetic products and services. In 2025 we will see surprising advances in the development of skincare technologies, new molecules and new biochemical mechanisms based on AI. Also new skin diagnostic tools based on algorithms, which will lead to the recommendation of products and devices, all through AI. Virtual beauty advisors will also be key in 2025 because they will help consumers find the perfect product for them, being a key element for brand positioning.
- Robotic Process Automation (RPA): This is a term that will be a trend in 2025. It includes the development of robots that do complex and repetitive jobs, improving operational efficiency, both in R&D of actives, excipients and formulas, as well as in manufacturing activities and industrial production.
We will see a boom in fluid fragrances in perfumery, eliminating gender barriers and celebrating individuality. Thanks to new integrated technologies, we will also see new smart aromas trending that will adjust their intensity and duration according to body temperature, climate, or stress levels.
In 2025 we will see how inclusive beauty reaches new territories, promoting responsible diversity in segments such as the elderly, people with disabilities and special needs and also new concepts for specific cultures that respect and meet the needs of different population segments. Universal accessibility becomes a strong trend for next year through the design of products and services accessible to everyone, regardless of condition. Universal beauty is the new black.
Oral care will also be a trend and is one of the categories that will begin to grow the most. We will see new approaches in holistic care, aesthetics and health. In makeup we will see trending concepts such as Berry Makeup, Moonlite Skin, Vintage Mint, Grunge, Moonlight, Ingenuine Blue and Ultraviolet, among others.
- Advanced Psychographics: Brands will use data that captures not only consumers’ preferences but also their values, beliefs, and lifestyles to tailor their messages to each audience segment extremely precisely.
Pharmetics = Pharma inspiration for cosmetic innovation. In Medicine, we see one of the main trends in precision medicine, which focuses on treating each patient according to their genetic, environmental, and lifestyle profile. This will allow more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatments. Therefore, in 2025, the concepts related to “Precision Cosmetics” will begin to be a trend.
Telemedicine is a concept that allows patients to access high-quality medical services from anywhere, which is especially useful for those who live in remote areas or have difficulty getting around. Telecosmetics is also a concept that will gain relevance in 2025. This will allow interesting benefits for the consumer such as access to beauty experts from anywhere, personalization of treatments and products, reduction of costs and waiting time and greater convenience and flexibility.
Trending for next year we will see a rise in virtual consultations for skin analysis and recommendations, more precise personalization of personal care products, virtual therapies for skin problems, use of augmented reality to simulate treatments and greater integration with artificial intelligence for personalized recommendations.
All this will be possible with new video conferencing platforms, mobile applications, augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence and data analysis and machine learning. Telecosmetics is a great opportunity to improve beauty and cosmetic care.
- Real-World Evidence (RWE): This approach relies on clinical data obtained outside of traditional controlled trials. For this reason, companies will begin to innovate in-house clinical effectiveness protocols.
- Stress management: This will motivate purchases, and consumers will look for products and services that include emotional health in their self-care routines.
- Bio-Art: It is the creation of art using living organisms and biological technologies. In 2025 we will also see greater interaction of the cosmetics industry with art platforms and concepts.
- Virtual Impulse Buys: This is the trend of buying products online impulsively. In 2025, cosmetic brands will also carry out responsible purchasing campaigns.
- Luxury Re-commerce: This trend involves buying and selling used or recycled luxury products that will be trendy in 2025, including skincare, makeup, and fragrances.
- Virtual Fitness: The practice of physical exercise in virtual environments. We will see new fragrances and body care concepts that will complement this trend.
- Digital self-care: Applications, tools, and cosmetic products that promote well-being and beauty in the digital world.
- Bio-Hackers: These will consolidate themselves as one of the main target groups of the cosmetics industry, they are consumers who seek to improve their health and performance through technology and biotechnology.
- Virtual intimacy: Advancement of virtual reality and augmented reality in sexual experiences. Cosmetics has a great opportunity for innovation in this category.
- The “back to local”: Refers to the growth of local consumer brands, which are growing 50% more than global brands. This represents a significant change in consumer behaviour, prioritizing local products and services. In this sense, large companies are adapting their offer to the specific demands of each community to connect with consumers.
- Neo-Sensualism: A focus on sensory experience and the pursuit of pleasure through food, art, cosmetic products, music, and other forms of expression.
- Skin bioprinting: It is the creation of artificial skin using 3D printing. We will see very interesting advances in 2025 for both scientific and therapeutic purposes. Subcutaneous implants will also be a trend.
In summary, I think that the innovation drivers for 2025 will be related to artificial intelligence in the R&D process of active ingredients, excipients, and diagnostics, new cosmetic treatments for the effects of stress and improvement of health, the aging of the population, universal inclusion, oral care, pharma-inspired, biohacking, and telecosmetics.
Feeling inspired?
Then why not visit one of the in-cosmetics events around the world?