It’s an exciting time in skincare, with the market evolving at a breakneck pace. Every month, new niches emerge, such as perimenopausal- and menopausal-specific products, and staples like retinol and vitamin C become even more refined.
We began unpacking some of these developments in our last post. Here, we’ll conclude the discussion by getting into the rise in pre- and post-procedure skincare, the latest at-home skincare devices, and the potential for new, stronger sunscreens in the U.S.
A potential gamechanger for sunscreens
As of this writing, it appears imminent that the Food and Drug Administration will approve a new ultraviolet filter, bemotrizinol (BEMT), which we reported earlier stays stable longer and gives better broad-spectrum protection than any sunscreen filter currently approved in the U.S.
The introduction of bemotrizinol will also lead to formulas that are easier to apply and feel better to wear. That combination—a longer-lasting, more effective formula that also wears well—is what’s got dermatologists excited, because it could translate to more people wearing sunscreen, which, in turn, would have a positive impact on skin cancer rates.
The rise of pre- and post-procedure skincare
As in-office treatments like resurfacing lasers and collagen-stimulating injectables become more common, it should come as no surprise that dermatologists are now looking at ways before and after the procedure to optimize results.
Much of the focus, so far, has been on complementary professional-grade skincare products that are capable of accelerating healing, reducing downtime, and boosting collagen and elastin production when they’re applied before or after certain in-office procedures.
Around since 2015, Alastin is perhaps the most well-known brand of this kind, but others are knocking at the door. SkinCeuticals, for example, recently launched RGN-6 Regenerative Cream, a serum designed to “complement the outcome and reduce treatment downtime” after ablative and non-ablative laser treatments.
Consumers are also helping to drive the growth of this corner of the market. Naturally, they’d be interested in products that promise treatment-like results at home. For dermatologists, these products enable them to maintain a degree of control over the aftercare.
At-home devices are getting more sophisticated—to a point
Already a part of many people’s daily skincare routines, at-home devices are expected to be even more widely used amid an increasingly turbulent economy.
Red- and blue-light devices are dominating the market. While that will likely continue as new generations of these tools become more advanced, more personalized, and more personalized, there are plenty of other kinds on the horizon, particularly where at-home laser hair removal is concerned.
Microcurrent devices are also quickly gaining in popularity. Some dermatologists recommend their patients use one in between their in-office treatments. These tools send tiny electrical currents to stimulate facial muscles, toning them, in theory, which may lend skin a tighter, albeit very temporary, tighter appearance.
It’s worth mentioning here that the data is, for the most part, lacking for most at-home devices. Which is to say, take the claims made by the brands selling them with a grain of salt. And try to do as much research as possible on your own.
Even then, know that there’s a certain threshold you’re just not going to be able to cross with any kind of at-home device. In other words, temper your expectations.
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