Digital beauty: What keys will unlock the skincare secrets of the future?

E-girl style, Douyin makeup, even weirdcore—these avant-garde trends reveal that makeup is no longer a mask but a moveable canvas, alive with spirit and rebellion. A flash of blue lipstick might speak of defiance; a slash of asymmetrical eyeliner, of emotional flux and uncertainty.

The years between 2015 and 2019 saw Korean-inspired skincare routines take centre stage, complete with elaborate 10-step rituals. But in real-world practice, the skin began to show signs of strain. Like any part of the body, the skin operates as a living mechanism, a first line of defence against the elements. Bombarding it with too many products often proves counterproductive—clogging pores, exacerbating breakouts and undermining its natural balance.

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Both Gen Z and Millennials are starting to question their skincare regimes. How many products are truly necessary? Are they even working? The pandemic, too, forced a reckoning that upended daily routines and nudged many towards a simpler, more streamlined lifestyle. Unexpectedly, this minimalist turn has yielded surprisingly beneficial results. Thus emerged the ethos of “skinimalism”—a rebellion against excess, returning to the notion that, sometimes, less really is more.

Shaking off the obsession with “flawless” skin, women are shifting their attention to healthy skincare from the inside out, focusing on quality over quantity. Skinimalism is not only a beauty trend but also a philosophy of life: relaxing the mind, supplementing essential nutrients to nourish the spirit and healthy skin.

A skincare routine need not be complex: two or three steps can be enough, provided the products are right for your skin. Dermatologists often advise selecting ingredients that meet the specific needs of your skin type. Ingredients worth considering include hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, ceramides and niacinamide.

Hyaluronic acid is among the best moisturising agents, particularly suitable for dry or combination skin. Those dealing with acne may benefit from using products that contain salicylic acid. Ceramides help strengthen the skin barrier, making them essential for dry or sensitive skin. Niacinamide, meanwhile, supports oil regulation and works well across all skin types.

Creating a skincare routine that genuinely responds to your skin’s condition remains one of the most effective ways to sustain long-term health and radiance. With countless routines and products gaining traction online, self-awareness becomes the most valuable beauty asset.

It’s impossible to speak of modern beauty without acknowledging the role of technology. Whether it's AI-powered skin analysis or AR applications that allow you to try on lipstick and foundation virtually, the path to finding the right products has never been more accessible. Technology doesn’t just assist; it tailors the entire beauty experience.

Major players such as L’Oréal, Shiseido and an ever-expanding pool of beauty-tech start-ups are investing in tools like virtual mirrors, AI-driven beauty advisors and artificial skin for testing formulations. These developments make the experience more adaptable, measurable and uniquely personal. It marks a significant evolution in the beauty world, and with innovation accelerating, access to customised cosmetic solutions is set to become even more seamless.

Today, beauty is no longer a goal to chase, but a lifestyle to embody and share. From cosmetics to tech, the modern beauty movement is fluid and expressive. In a world where self-expression matters more than ever, healthy skin becomes one of the most intimate ways for individuals to tell their story.

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