While social media (especially TikTok) is a great tool for spotting trends, they can come and go so quickly, hence why it’s called a “trend”. I prefer to rely on other sources, like information I’m hearing from my skincare labs and trusted chemists, as well as all of the conferences I attended this past year where the best and brightest skincare professionals gather to share information.
Based on what I’ve been seeing, here are six 2025 skincare trends I expect to be big. While there are some new innovations – everything always returns to the basics. Keeping the skin balanced, healthy and nourished.
Skincare Trend #1: At-Home Skin Care Devices
Gone are the days when professional results were only provided by estheticians like me. So much of the technology is now available for home use and I think it’s very, very exciting. After all, I see clients for 90 minutes, and while we can achieve a lot, to be able to recommend a home care device for them to keep the results going only improves their skincare goals.
Of course, there are a lot of questionable at-home skin care devices out there, so you have to do your research. I highly recommend the TheraFace Depuffing Wand. I used a device similar to this on my clients for years and I was devastated when they discontinued it, so I was so happy to see that this came to market. I love it for de-puffing aspects to do along with lymphatic drainage massage on the face. (Rapid Response Detox Masque makes for a great glide when applied before using the device.)
I mentioned TheraFace in this video I posted on Instagram as one of the devices I use on my client, singer Sabrina Carpenter, and the video went viral! (I also mentioned my the high-frequency device, which is tried-and-true and always works well for making breakouts go away fast.)
I’m also a huge fan of NuFace, known as microcurrent. It’s used for building facial features such as more prominent cheekbones by exercising the muscles. As mentioned in this post, I have used NuFace for years, and I also use a similar technology on my body during my workouts. Simply put, muscles get weaker as we age and it’s important to strengthen them. I love using it in my nightly routine.
Skincare Trend #2: Electrolytes – The Ultimate Hydration For Thirsty Skin Cells
I love the concept of tapping into things that are used for internal use, externally. And electrolytes for skin will be big in 2025.
Let’s talk hydration. The reality is, ALL skin types require water – not all skin types need oil. This is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin. Skin cells are like fish and need water to live so an even bigger focus in 2025 will be more innovation in skincare ingredients to get the skin to retain the water it desperately needs to stay healthy-looking and of course, oh so dewy.
A big skincare ingredient you’ll see in 2025 is electrolytes. They contain essential minerals like sodium, calcium and potassium. They’ve been a mainstay in sports drinks forever, but now they are making their way into topical products.
The main benefit of using electrolytes in skincare is hydration. Water is good for skin, but dry skin (which tends to worsen with age) struggles to retain it. Without enough oil to trap moisture, water from serums and moisturizers often evaporates quickly. Electrolytes help by using their electrical charge to draw water into deeper skin layers, preventing evaporation. They also balance water content, keeping skin plump, fresh, and dewy without overloading it.
I’m working on a skincare formula that contains electrolytes and the results are really incredible for delivering water to thirsty skin cells. Stay tuned!
Skincare Trend #3: A More Simple, Multi-Tasking Skincare Routine
Skincare is a huge industry and shows no signs of slowing down but I have to say, the 10-step routines have gotten a little out of control. For example, using multiple serums layering one over one another is not only time-consuming and costly, but it’s not even that effective.
The reality is that your skin can only absorb so much, so I stick to the belief that you should just use one serum at a time. Plus, this approach not only saves time and money but also reduces the risk of irritation from overloading the skin with too many active ingredients.
I’m seeing that people are exhausted with the thought of having to use so many products so a simpler routine with just a few products is what people are looking for. The good news is that so many products can multitask.
For example, why use sunscreen AND a separate moisturizer? How about just finding one that can do both? My Weightless Protection SPF 30 does just that. Or how about a masque that you can sleep in overnight? Yep, that’s my award-winning Rest Day Masque.
A four-step routine, used morning and night, includes:
- Wash with a gentle cleanser (always following my Golden Minute Rule)
- Follow with a toner (here are five benefits from a toner)
- Serum (day is always vitamin C, and at night, you can alternate your serums in the evenings with either retinol, a leave-on acid exfoliant, or something for hydrating and delivering nourishing benefits)
- Moisturizer (during the day, it’s always sunscreen, and at night, choose the best moisturizer for your skin type)
Ex: Simple morning Action Plan for Skin Type 7
For extra credit, a lightweight eye gel or nourishing cream can be used morning and night then weekly, perform an at-home facial.
These steps are tried-and-true and will absolutely maintain the health and integrity of your skin. Quality over quantity. Always.
Skincare Trend #4: Exosomes – A Bio-Tech Skincare Ingredient
At the Science of Skincare Summit (a dermatology conference that I was a co-chair of), there was a lot of talk about the term “biotech ingredients” and they are set to play a crucial role in the future of skincare. Specifically, there was a lot of chatter around exosomes for skin care treatment.
Exosomes are derived from stem cells, with the most common sources being fat stem cells and umbilical stem cells, though there are other types. They are microscopic vesicles naturally produced by cells that serve as messengers to facilitate cell communication and regeneration. The purpose of these are to rejuvenate the skin to repair itself as they harness the body’s own cellular processes to enhance skin health.
Since cosmetic procedures like radiofrequency microneedling and laser treatments are so popular to stimulate cellular repair (by intentionally damaging the skin’s outer layers), the thought is that when exosomes are applied topically after these procedures, they can help support the repair processes, which in turn enhances the treatment to improve results – and lessens the redness and swelling that occurs.
We’ll see continued advancements in science to find ways to keep the skin looking younger, longer.
Skincare Trend #5: Making Skincare Playful
Who says skincare has to be so serious? TikTok skincare trends continue to show us that people love to have fun doing their skincare routines and love filming content about it. (Yes, this is where all of those 10-step routines come in!) Especially with the rise of the at-home skincare devices (with LED being a big one), people are using their devices paired with masques, serums and oils to give their skin the ultimate self-care treatments at home.
One way to play (with no worry of harming your skin) is toner ice cubes. There’s no rule that says toners have to be used in their liquid form, so how about freezing them to give additional skin benefits like de-puffing? Moisture Infusion Toner is perfect for this.
Read how to make toner ice cubes at home.
Skincare Trend #6: Turning Your Passion for Skincare into a Career – Become an Esthetician!
The rise of the esthetician. Yes, it’s happening in a big way. In fact, Allure calls the esthetician the new “IT” profession.” When I started in 1988, there were only a handful of us. Fast forward to 2025, and more people than ever are turning their passions into a career. As the saying goes, “find something you are passionate about and find a way to make a living doing it.”
I absolutely love seeing our profession being brought to the forefront and skincare enthusiasts are expanding into all areas of skincare – sales trainers, supporting dermatologists in their practices, instructors and more, and of course, having our own solo practices. We love improving lives through skincare, and it’s truly incredible to see how many people are entering this amazing profession.
2025 Skincare Trends – It’s Going to Be a Great Year for Skin!
While there are so many exciting things always on the horizon, these are some trends that are particularly exciting for me in 2025.
But let me leave you with this final thought: as much as it seems like there is a lot of innovation in skincare, the basic principles will always stand the test of time.
- Wash your makeup off at night.
- Wear sunscreen 365 days a year – even indoors since UV light comes through windows.
- Keep a consistent morning and evening routine.
- Use good quality products.
- Learn about your unique skin’s needs and always use products for your skin type.
- Always follow The Renee Way.
Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”
