Growing environmental awareness and healthy lifestyles are fuelling demand for natural ingredients for skincare – and this trend is influential among the all-important Millennials.

They may be locked out of the housing market, but Millennials are not shy when using their credit cards on personal items. They spend more than any other generation on cosmetics and personal care products.

However, they are no pushovers. Millennials won’t be flogged with products they perceive to be harmful to their health or may damage the environment.

They are demanding personal care products that complement their healthy lifestyles. They are selecting cruelty-free and sustainably-sourced goods that give them a guilt-free conscience. And they are increasingly choosing environmentally friendly packaging.

Natural ingredients for skincare

More and more consumers perceive natural chemicals as harmless, whereas artificial ingredients can damage their health or the environment. Regardless of the validity of these perceptions, there is a substantial market force at play here. And to capture a slice of this market, you will need to do more than add a natural ingredient or two to your product.

Natural active ingredients, such as plant/vegetable-based actives like Encapsulated Vitamin C, NV Retinol, Nano Redensifier and many more, appeal to consumers. And as this segment grows, it rests upon R&D professionals and formulators to develop following-generation materials to stabilise and extend the shelf life of natural active-based ingredients.

Fortunately, there have been significant leaps in formulation technology in the naturals category, especially regarding efficacy, which is helping take this category to a more sophisticated level.

Targeted delivery systems

Targeted delivery systems are one area where technology is improving how active ingredients are applied to the skin through encapsulation, plant stem cells, and peptides.

Encapsulation

Thanks to cutting-edge technology, the wonder ingredient Retinol can now be stabilised using microencapsulation. Because the Retinol molecule breaks down quickly when it comes in contact with oxygen, light and metal ions until recently, cosmetic manufacturers had to take great care to minimise its degradation.

However, innovative microencapsulation technology can protect the active molecule, so it remains active for the shelf life of a product, providing consumers with even better skincare results.

More encapsulated cosmetic materials are here.

Stem cells

Stem cells can renew and repair damaged cells, thus avoiding ageing. Apple Stem Cells, for example, are highly effective in stimulating and promoting the longevity and activity of stem cells in human skin to help delay the signs of aging. At the same time, stem cells from the leaves of the Alpine Rose improve cell regeneration and the quality of our skin barrier.

Peptides

As we get older, our natural repair processes slow. Peptides stimulate these processes and enhance the body’s innate responses. Peptides stimulate the release of our natural human growth hormone, which, in adulthood, repairs tissue.

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 is an innovative and unique active complex designed to prevent and stop the hair loss process and stimulate hair growth and is used in hair care products.

Venuceane, a biotechnological origin active obtained from the culture of Thermus thermophilus powerful antioxidant properties against radical oxygen species.

More peptide products are here.

Natural exfoliating alternatives

The negative impact that microplastics are having on marine life and waterways is in the global spotlight. And it’s not just consumers demanding better practices from the beauty industry, governments worldwide are banning the use of Polyethylene in cosmetics.

If you haven’t already made the switch, you must reformulate products containing microplastic particles with natural, biodegradable alternatives that won’t affect the environment.

As you will be aware, the Australian Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, threatened to introduce a law banning microbeads if the industry doesn’t phase them out voluntarily.

In New Zealand, a ban on microplastic particles began in July 2018; the US has already banned them, they are prohibited in some European countries, and Canada is considering a ban.

Natural alternatives to microplastic particles include shells (almond, coconut and apricot), kernels, minerals (blackcurrant, cranberry and kiwi), seeds, flowers, leaves and fruit.

Image courtesy of: biobloomonline.com