Expert Shares Insights On Emerging Innovation Trends In The Beauty Industry

The beauty industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by scientific advances, evolving consumer expectations, and increasing calls for environmental responsibility. Recent reports estimate the global skincare market was valued between $115 billion and $155 billion in 2023, and is expected to reach $220 billion by 2029. This growth is being driven by continued innovation in formulation science, bioactive ingredients, and strategies focused on long-term skin health.

To better understand this landscape, we spoke with Akanksha Tandon, Head of Product Development at Skin Research Institute, Los Angeles, California an expert in the field who offered insight into three of the most impactful trends currently shaping the industry.

Modulating the Skin Microbiome

One of the first areas Akanksha highlights is the growing shift toward microbiome-supportive skincare. “There’s an increasing understanding that skin health depends on the balance of its microbiome,” she explains. “We’re moving away from harsh actives and over-cleansing, and instead developing products that help preserve and support the skin’s natural defenses.”

With over 15 years of experience in product development across global brands and manufacturers—including R&D roles at Unilever brands such as Lakmé in both India and the U.S.—Akanksha brings deep expertise in formulation and consumer care. Her portfolio includes award-winning shaving aids and early work exploring how shaving affects the skin microbiome for a leading global men’s brand. She notes that interest in prebiotics, postbiotics, and ultra-mild surfactants has continued to grow as brands look to support the skin’s microbial environment while maintaining product performance.

As research into the skin microbiome advances, the industry is exploring next-generation approaches, such as live probiotic formulations for barrier support and aging, and microbiome-targeted solutions for concerns like acne and eczema. “It’s an evolving science, but one that holds exciting potential for long-term skin resilience,” Akanksha says.

This deeper understanding of skin and microbiome science is also reshaping how ingredients are developed—ushering in a new era of sustainable biotechnology where performance and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

Sustainability Through Biotech Innovation

Sustainability continues to be a central theme in formulation innovation, particularly through the use of biotechnology-derived ingredients. Akanksha explains that biotechnology is enabling the development of high-performing, petroleum-free cosmetic ingredients, often created through lab-based processes like fermentation. “It’s a more responsible approach to innovation,” she says, “helping reduce stress on natural ecosystems while enabling cleaner, more traceable ingredient production.”

She notes that this shift is gaining momentum across the industry, as brands and formulators increasingly turn to lab-grown alternatives to replace traditional inputs such as silicones and palm-derived surfactants. “What’s exciting is that biotech allows us to create ingredients that are both more sustainable and better suited for modern formulations.”

As the push for performance and sustainability continues, a new frontier is gaining traction: regenerative skincare, where biology, formulation, and medicine begin to converge.

Targeting Cellular Senescence and Skin Regeneration

This emerging category focuses on skin longevity and cellular health—blending advances in cosmetic formulation with principles from medicinal science. Akanksha, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and a Master’s in Cosmetic Science, sees this convergence as a pivotal moment for the industry. “We’re entering a new phase of skincare,” she explains. “Rather than just targeting surface-level signs of aging, we’re now exploring how to help skin function better for longer.”

She highlights the growing interest in advanced technologies like senotherapeutic ingredients, exosome-inspired actives, and bio-fermented compounds. Each targets cellular pathways involved in skin aging and renewal. These technologies hold potential for improving dermal structure and skin longevity. “What excites me is the direction we’re heading—toward skincare that’s not just reactive but proactively supporting biological renewal,” she says.

A Look Ahead

Looking to the future, Akanksha, who began her career developing sunscreens at Unilever’s research center and has since contributed to a wide range of successful skin, hair, and body care products for brands, private-label manufacturers, and a globally recognized company specializing in natural peptide ingredients, believes that innovation will increasingly depend on the ability to balance scientific excellence with consumer values and safety expectations.

“It’s not just about the newest molecule—it’s about delivering products that are effective, responsible, and safe,” she says. “Consumers today are informed, intentional, and more aware than ever of what they’re putting on their skin.”

“We’re seeing a convergence of biology, biotechnology, and sustainability,” she adds. “The brands that embrace these shifts with transparency and purpose will be the ones to lead the next generation of skincare.”