The Boots 2023 Beauty Trends Report showcases the top six trends we expect to see this year, as selected by our in-house beauty experts. Trend two is Science of Skin, all about the increasing focus on ingredients for consumers as they get more savvy on what ingredients they need to keep their skin looking healthy and happy.

In a new age of ‘skin-tellectualism’, 2023 is all about maintaining our skin health and protecting our barrier, and there’s one key ingredient everyone is talking about… peptides.

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In 2022, we all became ‘skin-tellectuals’, with customers learning about their skin type and individual skin needs like never before. This year we’ll see a diverse representation of what “good skin” really looks like, as we say goodbye to flawless and filtered skin and shift our focus instead to products that help us achieve a healthy base. Instead of “good”, think nourished, repaired and protected. 

So, it comes as no surprise to see that searches for ‘peptides’ are up by over a third on boots.com¹ as a key player in skin-barrier repair. With an average of 73.1K Google searches per month,² peptides are popping up in cleansers, serums and moisturisers.

Alongside peptides, ceramides, niacinamide and lipids make up an army of barrier-bettering ingredients that will be big news for 2023. With 6.4k Google searches for ‘skin barrier’ a month, it’s one hot topic.³

Dr Mike Bell, No7 Skincare Scientific Advisor said: “Peptides are powerful signalling molecules found throughout the body, including the skin, where they are involved in many different physiological processes to help maintain health. They are powerful communicators, which essentially ‘talk’ to skin cells telling them to initiate repair and increase their production of important structural proteins.

“In skincare, peptides are incorporated into formulations to mimic the natural peptides found in the skin in the hope that they can also work in tandem to help support the natural self-repair process and improve skin that is depleted in collagen, elastin, and fibrillin, proteins important in the preservation of healthy skin.

“In 2007, No7 first unlocked the powerful skincare potential of peptide technology. After a novel study performed by scientists at the University of Manchester, No7’s Protect & Perfect peptide serum was hailed by BBC’s Horizon programme as clinically proven, age-defying skincare. Since then, No7 has continued its world class research to develop even more effective age-defying formulations.”

NEW Ole Henriksen Strength Hydrabarrier Nourishing Face Oil is packed full of skin-supporting peptides and ceramides and pure Scandinavian berry oils.

NEW Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Range is uniquely formulated using a blend of cell-prolonging Haritaki Extract (also known as Chebula) and a high concentration, barrier-loving Niacinamide. 

Cult brand, The Ordinary is the latest brand to ride the peptide wave with the launch of its NEW Multi Peptide Eye Serum, that targets signs of ageing, dark circles, and puffiness.

Watch out for Boots Ingredients Peptide Serum, launching later this year.

Introducing Grown Alchemist…

New to Boots is Grown Alchemist. A range of innovative skincare, with plant-based formulae and clinically proven, good-for-skin ingredients that deliver healthier-looking skin.

The NEW Detox Serum contains a potent blend of Niacinamide and antioxidants to de-stress and protect skin from Oxygen, Carbon and Nitrogen free radicals known to contribute to skin damage.

 

1. Boots.com search data (30 Jan, 22 - 30 Jan, 23 vs 30 Jan 21 - 30, Jan 22)

2. Source: Spate UK, as of 11 January 2023 

3. Source: Spate UK, as of 11 January 2023