The Big Five - The Skinny on Skin Care Ingredients for 2009

What's new in the world of skin care ingredients for 2009? Plenty! 2009 will see its fair share of ingredients containing berries (antioxidants, vitamins, essential fatty acids) and peptides (stimulate collagen and promote repair) galore. The most exciting wave of the future of skin care, however, is the science and technology that produces intelligent skin care, . . . smart, targeted and programmable skin care ingredients.

1. Intelligent Skin Care: Scientifically, skin care ingredients are moving ahead as fast as medicine and medications, and often the science overlaps. Millions of dollars, if not billions, are being spent on research and development for intelligent ingredients. The goal is not to replace skin components, but to make the skin repair, regenerate and detoxify itself more efficiently, in other words, function more like a young skin than a tired, mature one. For example, we cannot replace collagen, but we can trigger the fibroblasts to make collagen. We can also slow down the function of the enzymes that degrade our natural collagen. The science is becoming so specific that some key peptides can trigger the DNA to repair itself quicker, even before more damage occurs. This is great news because as we age DNA gets slower at repairing itself and the more damaged it becomes the less likely the cell will regenerate.

2. Nanotechnology: A science where size definitely matters. The smaller, the better. Microscopic 'nano-ingredients' have the ability to penetrate deeper within the skin, directly deliver active ingredients and increase their efficiency. Companies using this type of technology can promise their clients exactly what they want . . . faster visual results. Older technology is slower to deliver, and unfortunately, the wasted time may allow certain ingredients to oxidize and lose their potency.

3. Targeted Delivery: Ingredients are often encapsulated, vectorized (loaded into a vehicle), or coupled with another ingredient to control a perfect delivery of active ingredients to a specific target. The delivery system is based on the same theory used in pharmaceuticals where each drug knows the location of the problem and is programmed to head straight for it. On that note, Cosmeceuticals, the cosmetic and pharmaceutical pairing, are once again on the rise in 2009 utilizing the successful methodology of targeted delivery.

4. Neurocosmetics: Increasing cellular communication, (the kind you don't need a long distance plan for), is becoming more and more of a priority and the future will bring even more efficiency using neurocosmetic ingredients. Neurocosmetics have the ability to affect the brain's response to topical treatments with specific ingredients programmed to trigger a desired response. The cool feeling that mint has on the skin is a perfect example of a neuro effect.

5. Time Frame Licenses: The scientific realm is accustomed to being immersed in a shroud of secrecy. This type of 'hush-hush' environment in the world of skin care has resulted in more trademarks and registered insignias seen on ingredient lists with no other explanations. Companies are giving the trade names of ingredients without disclosing what they are and how they are created. It is becoming common place for Time Frame licenses to be purchased by skin care manufacturers to use these new discoveries exclusively for a specific time period.

We predict the trend for 2009 rests heavily on science and technology in a bid to boost the efficiency of powerful ingredients. The real beauty of this trend will produce skin care products with the ability to deliver calculated results. Anti-aging skin care at its finest!

YEAR OF THE TIGER - BEAUTY FORECAST

The Tiger is a charismatic symbol of beauty and power. Since the Tiger greatly influences innovations and technical progress, the world of skin care and cosmetics can expect to see many new scientific advances offering new ways to accomplish complexion perfection. The Tigress represents on-the-prowl-drama-queen glamor with an emphasis on function and speed. These traits place a demand for no-fuss, no-muss beauty. This big-cat beauty trend will also see sleek and convenient product packaging this year.

The Tiger is known to be notoriously moody with a hair trigger temper. That said, don't be surprised when psychology and cosmetics pair up as their own dynamic duo and market a wide variety of mood enhancing skin care and makeup, a.k.a. neurocosmetics. These products incorporate ingredients to nourish the skin while balancing temperaments through calming, or stimulating, the neurotransmitters in the brain. Aromatherapy (scent), chromotherapy (color), and vitamins are being formulated in the beauty market to effectively alter moods, increase or decrease energy levels, reduce stress, and add a sense of well-being to an otherwise rip-roaring day. Mood boosting beauty? You bet!

Tigers sprawl out and lounge all day long on the banks of rivers, ponds, and lakes. These lazy sunbathers may not need protection from the sun, but we do. Sun protection technology will offer all of us more time to luxuriate safely in the great outdoors. A solid overall health care routine is essential to boost and maintain energy since the height of all feline activity is during the day. Tigers engage in storage eating . . . binging one full day and then cutting back for the balance of the week to keep trim and lean. Take notice of these ferocious felines and enjoy a feast-fest one day a week and then focus on a healthy eating program. At the end of each day, choose great night care products to do the heavy lifting while you get your beauty sleep and rest up for life's daily hunt.

Change is the name of the Tiger's game. It is a perfect time to personally switch things up, get a new hairdo, investigate a new color palette, shape new brows, and most definitely upgrade your skin care. Throw out the old things that no longer do the trick anymore. Bright, bold colors, smokey eyes, tiger stripe eyeliners, sleek looks are very much the beauty focus of this year. The year of the Tiger is not a year to be part of the pack . . . no . . . Tigers are too independent to blend into a crowd. They prefer a more solitary lifestyle or will roam in small gatherings. 2010 is the year where identifying your own individuality is key. In true form, no two tigers are exactly alike. Singular purrrrrfection!

2009/2010 - Top Five Spa Trends

4. SMART & RESPONSIBLE SKIN CARE
The smart part: Skin care aficionados rejoice! The trend this year is 'science-specific' skin care. Since science is now able to mimic and replicate the natural functions of the skin (biomimetic) we can all look forward to innovative and smart skin care, intelligent ingredients, avant-garde products. Target, treat, prevent. Regenerate, repair, renew. Biotechnology, pentapeptides, biopeptides, targeted delivery systems, nanotechnology, neurocosmetics, phytochemicals, etc., and now, . . . stem cell technology (more on this later). Boil down all the buzz words and what do you get? Science at its beautiful best.

The responsible part: Organic skin care gained vast popularity over the past few years. Statistics made it crystal clear that consumers love environmentally conscientious products. During the organic movement's rise to fame, many eyebrows were being raised over several corporate claims of products being 'natural, organic and certified organic' when many simply do not meet organic industry standards. Enter the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) and the Organic Consumers Association (OCA). They have launched a "Coming Clean Campaign" to examine companies that flaunt organic claims but don't meet the proper criteria. The OCA is raising its voice and demanding "more stringent regulations to heighten the integrity of the organic movement."

SMART AND RESPONSIBLE SKIN CARE

THE SMART PART:
Skin care aficionados rejoice! The trend this year is 'science-specific' skin care. Since science is now able to mimic and replicate the natural functions of the skin (biomimetic) we can all look forward to innovative and smart skin care, intelligent ingredients, avant-garde products. Target, treat, prevent. Regenerate, repair, renew. Biotechnology, pentapeptides, biopeptides, targeted delivery systems, nanotechnology, neurocosmetics, phytochemicals, etc., and now, . . . stem cell technology (more on this later). Boil down all the buzz words and what do you get? Science at its beautiful best..

THE RESPONSIBLE PART:
Organic skin care gained vast popularity over the past few years. Statistics made it crystal clear that consumers love environmentally conscientious products. During the organic movement's rise to fame, many eyebrows were being raised over several corporate claims of products being 'natural, organic and certified organic' when many simply do not meet organic industry standards. Enter the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) and the Organic Consumers Association (OCA). They have launched a "Coming Clean Campaign" to examine companies that flaunt organic claims but don't meet the proper criteria. The OCA is raising its voice and demanding "more stringent regulations to heighten the integrity of the organic movement."