Aware of hidden agendas, people no longer believe in the possibility of absolute truth or complete transparency from institutions, public figures, and individuals. Yet they are still drawn to honesty, integrity, and – at times – even vulnerability, which they expect from peers and brands alike.

Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

Beauty fans are searching for ingredients that solve specific problems with a more holistic approach. As wellness becomes central to beauty, Cultured Biomecare is tapping the interests of ingredients-focused buyers who want to nurture their skin through natural forms of care.

In the face of inflation and online misinformation, The Ordinary brings authenticity to clean skin and hair care through effective, easy-to-use, and affordable products. How can brands satisfy the pandemic-driven skincare boom using scientifically-proven ingredients that beauty consumers can trust?

As people take a more considered approach to the ingredients in their skincare, brands are responding with products that cater to diverse skin types and tones – but finding expert validation isn’t simple. E-commerce platform RealSelf is bringing a layer of expertise to skincare. We explore theinsightsbehind this and dig into the growing appeal of science-backed beauty.

Offering the ‘world’s first ingredient-based product discovery algorithm’, Skinskool is a website that finds affordable alternatives to expensive skincare. As beauty buyers increasingly turn to tech to address specific needs, this approach enables them to get the right products at the right price.