“New era of caring for the environment” highlighted in study examining post-pandemic cosmetic trends

20 Apr 2022 --- As the world gradually emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, a comprehensive literature review by Korean researchers at the Kookmin University, delves into the impact of changing consumer desires in the beauty space. 

In the study, researchers investigate trends within clean beauty markets and consumer interest in raw material, manufacturing processes and product experiments to “minimize carbon emissions, water use, recycle product containers and reduce waste.” 

The spread of “good consumption” among younger generations has led to a new era of caring for the environment – leading to increased clean beauty and vegan cosmetics – “forming a meaningful flow.” 

“Hygiene and cleanliness are becoming more important than anything else due to a lifestyle that values health and immunity after COVID-19, and as masks are used day by day, more people complain of skin problems, and the need for skin soothing and moisturizing products is emerging,” share the researchers. 

The study concludes that “safety in sustainability” may apply to today’s entire beauty industry – not just within the clean beauty specification. 

Demand for transparency
The research notes that the pandemic brought a change in consumer perception – where they paid more attention to the sourcing of raw materials for products, including its manufacturing processes and what kinds of product experiments had been conducted.“Consumers today want safe and edible natural ingredients,” shares the study.

Additionally, consumers have begun to pay more attention to carbon emissions and minimal use of water, along with the recyclability of products. These elements are essential aspects of the clean beauty demand. 

Further, companies’ greenwashed ingredients have been criticized for not being safe for use. 

The word “ESG” (Exopolysaccharides) is frequently encountered in various news, flags the study. 

“ESG refers to the increasing interest in natural conditions or social situations that directly or indirectly affect living organisms and all types of human groups that live in everyday life. These are a movement related to the increasing size and power of the organism.”

Avoiding contact dermatitis?
“Consumers today want safe and edible natural ingredients,” shares the study. 

However, the concern on metal allergy, which can cause contact dermatitis, seems conflicting. Metals are naturally occurring in the environment; however, the metal components may remain in manufacturing pigments and raw materials used in industry. 

Hence, sometimes trace contamination is unavoidable. Thus, the author states: “This is an undeniable reality.” 

On the other hand, emerging plant compounds for skin and cosmetic applications include: “olive oil, chamomile, colloidal oatmeal, oat kernel extract, fever pew, acai berry, coffee berry, curcumin, green tea, pomegranate, licorice, paper mulberry, arbutin and soybeans.”

Safe and edible natural ingredients
The paper notes: “Most oral and topical supplements are based on or contain many plant ingredients. Many of them have a long history of using traditional or folk medicine, and there is consumer belief in it.”A total of 383 papers were retrieved, of which 36 were successfully included in this study 

Ingredients derived from vegetables often have dermatological benefits, and there is a booming interest in probiotics for internal and external applications.

“When applied to the skin, [probiotics] can improve the skin’s properties against bacteria and suppress or eliminate inflammation.” 

Additionally, probiotics improve skin health and diseases, “including blemishes and blemishes due to anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant activity, UV protection and inhibition of tyrosinase activity.” 

On another popular ingredient, the paper shares that mushroom extracts have a regenerative function on the skin. 

“The skin molecules that provide structure and elasticity to the skin can be newly restored.” 

Natural plants like green tea can protect the skin from UV-induced DNA damage. “Green tea and niacinamide have also been effective in lowering acne and rosacea. 

“Many dermatologists, due to photoaging, have a desire to use natural ingredients as treatments. Mushrooms, feverfew, green tea, licorice, olive oil, soybean and coffee berry have special properties in antioxidants, and studies have shown that they play an important role in the treatment and prevention of skin photoaging.” 

The study continues: “Licorice, green tea, arbutin, soybean, acai berry, turmeric, and pomegranate are the most effective and helpful plants and compounds in terms of hyperpigmentation and antioxidant function.” 

Edited by Venya Patel