Innovation meets intentional beauty

Innovation meets intentional beauty

Authored by Covalo

The beauty industry gathered in full force at in-cosmetics Global 2025, the world’s leading event for cosmetic ingredient innovation.

Held in Amsterdam, this year’s show buzzed with breakthroughs in sustainability, biotechnology, and personalized beauty solutions. As the official partners of in-cosmetics, the Covalo team walked the show with a sharp eye for what’s trending now and what’s to come. Covalo’s platform brings the best highlights of the event to your fingertips, year-round!

In this article, we reveal the top beauty and skincare trends Covalo observed, supported by their own Covalo exclusive data. Whether you’re a product developer, brand strategist, or simply a beauty trend enthusiast, here’s what you need to know to stay ahead in 2025 and beyond.

Trend #1 – Exosomes Take Center Stage in Innovation

Among all the innovations showcased at in-cosmetics Global 2025, one ingredient stood out as the undisputed frontrunner: exosomes.

These tiny, cell-derived vesicles – long studied in medical and regenerative sciences – have now fully entered the cosmetics mainstream, promising powerful benefits in skin rejuvenation, barrier repair, and cellular communication. From improving skin texture to enhancing wound healing and inflammation control, exosomes are poised to become the next-generation active in high-performance skincare. This adaptability makes exosomes a perfect match for targeted skincare claims aligned with current consumer demands.

The show floor was buzzing with activity around exosome-based ingredients. Covalo counted a variety of suppliers showcasing their versions, ranging from plant-derived (Carrot Stem-Exosome or PhytoCellTec™ Exosomes) and probiotic-based exosomes (PROBIOTIC-DERIVED EXOSOME SERIES), to those sourced from animal stem-cells (Milk-Exosome). This surge reflects both the promise and complexity of the category.

However, the buzz hasn’t come without controversy. Some attendees and formulators raised concerns about the ethical and regulatory implications of exosomes derived from animal tissues. Transparency in sourcing and manufacturing processes will be key to gaining consumer trust, and it is expected that this will be a point of differentiation as the market matures.

Covalo’s data confirms the scale of interest:

● Exosomes is currently the #1 most-searched term on their platform with almost twice more search volume than any other keyword. In fact, the search for exosome-related ingredients in 2025 is already four times higher than the entirety of 2024.

In short, exosomes are no longer niche. They’re quickly becoming a must-watch, multi-functional active ingredient at the forefront of next-gen cosmetic formulations.

Trend #2 – Dermocosmetics: Where Medicine Meets Beauty Products

Dermocosmetics, once limited to pharmacy shelves, are now front and centre in mainstream beauty. Consumers are increasingly treating their skincare routines like health regimens, prioritizing products that are effective, safe, non-irritating, and backed by dermatological science.

What makes dermocosmetics particularly appealing is their ability to deliver targeted solutions, while reinforcing overall skin health. For today’s conscious and knowledgeable consumer, that’s no longer optional, it’s essential. In response, brands are moving beyond aggressive spot treatments and embracing multi-targeted, barrier-friendly solutions. At the show, this translated into a wave of innovations combining clinical efficacy with microbiome-conscious design, a natural progression of both trends. Multifunctional ingredients like niacinamide, zinc, and azelaic acid derivatives, are among the most popular for different formulations.

The microbiome, once a buzzword, is now a pillar in modern skin health formulation. For example, acne-prone skin is increasingly understood not just as inflamed or oily but as an imbalance. This shift is especially evident in the anti-acne space, which has become the fastest-growing performance claims on Covalo in the last couple of months. Marketing claims like “microbiome-friendly”, “non-comedogenic”, and “clinically tested on acne-prone skin” are gaining traction with consumers seeking not just fast results, but holistic, skin-supported care.

As dermocosmetic innovation evolves, we expect to see more crossover between pharmaceutical-grade actives and consumer-friendly textures and claims. By aligning with microbiome science, it’s proving real anti-acne efficacy (and other dermatological concerns) doesn’t have to come at the cost of skin harmony.

Trend #3 – Longevity as the New Frontier of Functional Skincare

While anti-ageing has long been a mainstay in beauty, in-cosmetics Global 2025 made one thing clear – the narrative is shifting from reversing age to supporting longevity. This new paradigm is about sustaining the skin’s (and body’s) natural vitality, through science-backed, proactive care that emphasizes strength, resilience, and daily recovery.

Covalo’s data shows a clear and growing interest in this space. Terms like “muscle” are now among the top search terms, highlighting the convergence of skincare, body care, and performance wellness. Brands are beginning to blur the line between cosmetic and functional body and skincare, especially in categories like active ageing and femcare.

Another strong signal from Covalo’s data is the rapid rise in “night” as a search term, often connected to ingredients like bakuchiol, retinal, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. This reflects a growing awareness of consumers’ desires of overnight skin recovery as a key to long-term skin health.

The night routine has become a strategic time for renewal, especially as brands and consumers lean into ingredients that support cell turnover, hydration, and antioxidant defence while the skin is in repair mode. Longevity in beauty is about optimizing skin performance and resilience over time, supporting its natural functions rather than masking signs of ageing. It taps into the wellness mindset that’s driving growth across all self-care sectors.

A New Era of Cosmetic Innovation

From the rise of exosomes and dermocosmetics to the growing focus on longevity, in-cosmetics Global 2025 made one thing clear – the future of beauty is data-driven, health-focused, and deeply personalized. Exosomes, dermocosmetics, and longevity are the big trends of 2025 and it looks like they are not going anywhere anytime soon.

Covalo’s insights echo what we saw on the ground; brands are responding to consumers that are seeking performance, transparency, and solutions that go beyond the surface. As innovation continues to push boundaries, brands that align science with meaningful care will lead the next wave of transformation in skincare and wellness.

👉 Exploring the latest global trends is easy on Covalo – discover awarded ingredients or 2025 ingredient launches!

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