The Trends: Skincare 2015

Like it or not, cosmetics is a trend-propelled industry (exhibit A, Kendall Jenner is the face of Estee Lauder); staying ahead of the hype machine is daunting, yet necessary to make smart, more-informed-less-influenced purchasing decisions. Here are my top skincare trends for 2015 that make sense for consumers, not companies.

Powder Cleansers

Cleansers really came into their own in 2014, and that will only continue into 2015. Powder cleansers aren't exactly new, but never have so many been on the market in the West. Josie Maran, Peter Thomas Roth, Murad, Tatcha, E.L.F., Boscia, and NUDE all have powder cleansers within their lines - many of these cleansers were launched in mid-late 2014/early 2015. Powder cleansers are companies answer to consumer desires for less abrasive scrubs; in addition to offering a customizable exfoliation, many powder cleansers possess enzymatic ingredients, thus providing a physical and chemical exfoliation.

Facial Oils

Again, facial oils are hardly cutting-edge, but the cosmetic counters have never been so saturated in with oils. Previously relegated as a hippie, green alternative to moisturizers/serums, oils were overlooked prior to our current green wave (by current I mean ongoing since the last 90's). These days, consumers want high performing naturals and oils check those boxes - they're mainly natural, full of skin loving ingredients, and generally well-tolerated by even the most sensitive of skins. My current favorite is Sunday Riley's Luna Sleeping Night Oil, which is a retinoid oil (the first to my knowledge, though I'm probably wrong here).

Korean Beauty

For the last several years, South Korea has been making huge waves in the beauty industry. You can thank them for popularizing BB (CC, DD, EE, etc) creams, sheet masks, and sleeping masks to name a few. In 2015, watch out for cushion foundations - foundations that come in a compact packaging, with the actual foundation saturated onto a 'cushion' - Lancome already has one, which is unsurprising considering that makeup artist extraordinaire Lisa Eldridge is Lancome's new makeup creative director (check out her Korean inspired makeup tutorial here). Also watch for Korean skincare formulations and technologies; ingredients like bee venom, snail secretions, and starfish extract are already creeping into the Western market.

What are your top 2015 skincare trends? Let me know in the comments!