4 innovative beauty products to watch for in February 2021

Mintel’s team of global beauty experts track product launches that address new consumer needs. This month, they spotlight the most innovative products launched in facial skincare.

Herb + Flora Eye of the Cyclops Recovery Eye Gel

Herb + Flora Eye of the Cyclops Recovery Eye Gel was inspired by exercise science and featuring Exercise Mimic Youth Complex to stimulate skin recovery and minimise signs of ageing in the delicate eye area. Exercise Mimic Youth Complex is based on research in autophagy and mitochondria health and the benefits of exercise on muscles and skin. It contains actives that reproduce the anti-ageing effects of exercise on the skin, including asparagus, macroalgae, mini hyaluronic acid and astaxanthin. It improves skin’s natural energy supply and reduces oxidative stress, minimising crow’s feet, dark circles and undereye bags for a post-workout glow.

On-trend

The product exemplifies Mintel’s 2017 BPC Trend Active Beauty by tapping into consumer perceptions that physical fitness translates into good skin. Per Mintel Trend, ‘Prove It’, whereby consumers look for proof before purchase, it promises effects in just two weeks and more improvement over time. In the US, almost half of skincare users want to look younger and more than four in ten want to look less tired and one-third want dewy skin.

(Launched in November 2020 in the US)

– Diana Alves Costa, GNPD Beauty Innovation Coverage Manager

OTZI Dough Therapy Pore Treatment Mask

OTZI Dough Therapy Pore Treatment Mask is a rice dough-inspired, jiggly and putty dough-like formula that is soft and easy to scoop out, and transforms into a creamy texture upon application. Formulated with soothing rice ceramides, calming oat and brightening adlay (also known as pearl barley) to ensure skin is properly moisturised as the mask sloughs away dead, dull skin.

On-trend

Facial cleansing products can boost engagement by developing transformative textures that are fun or more convenient. In China, two in five female consumers consider format/texture as the most important purchase factor for facial skincare products.

(Launched in South Korea in December 2020)

– Sharon Kwek Si Ling, Associate Director, Southeast Asia, Beauty & Personal Care

Lumoss Moisturizing Brightening Spray Mask

Lumoss Moisturizing Brightening Spray Mask is a spray-format face mask designed for busy modern people and those who want to streamline their skincare routines. Unlike sheet masks, the spray format is more convenient to use. Just spray 8-10 times, distribute the product evenly on the face to form an invisible essence film and rinse off after five minutes. It features Neroli oil and five kinds of extracts to soothe, brighten and hydrate the skin effectively. It is suitable for sensitive skin.

On-trend

The convenient format means it can be used any time and anywhere, helping users save time without compromising on efficacy, per Mintel BPC’s 2017 Trend Beauty Round the Clock. The product will gain appeal in China, where more than one-third of adults are interested in beauty/grooming products that help to simplify their routines and more than half of face mask users prefer facial masks with a light and thin texture.

(Launched in December 2020 in China)

– Della He, GNPD – Coverage

florence by mills Hit Reset Moisturizing Mask Pearls

In the florence by mills Hit Reset Moisturizing Mask Pearls the mask pearls are squeezed with the fingers and applied to the face where they work to reset dry skin and leave it hydrated and soft. The pearls are rich in niacinamide, soothing shea butter, nourishing apricot kernel oil and hyaluronic acid. Adding to the convenience aspect, the mask can be left on overnight or used as a leave-on mask during the day. Squeezing the pearls before application adds a sensory and experiential element to face care routines.

On-trend

Per Mintel Trend Sense of the Intense, there is huge potential in maximising sensory benefits and innovating textures to give users a more pleasant and exciting experience, for example, the one-fifth of skincare users who look for fun effects when buying face masks. In the US, almost seven in 10 skincare users are interested in trying solid formats.

(Launched in January 2021 in the US)

– Diana Alves Costa, GNPD Beauty Innovation Coverage Manager