This year, more traditionally formulated, cohesive and multi-benefit products will hit the market. Photo: 123rf
If the past decade of skincare trends was driven by products overload, 2026 marks a decisive change in pace.
The conversation around enhancing one’s natural beauty is no longer about what’s new, but what actually works and why.
Consumers are far savvier than they were even a few years ago, questioning everything from ingredient lists to sourcing, formulation and brand values.
Malaysia’s growing ecosystem of skincare founders are united in the idea that skin health over surface-level perfection is what will matter most going forward.
Leading the charge
The once-coveted 12-step routine has quietly given way to smarter, streamlined regimens built around barrier repair, microbiome balance and measurable results.
Gentler actives, multifunctional products and science-backed formulations are becoming expectations rather than innovations.
Brands are changing how they create skincare as consumers care deeply about clean ingredients, natural options and being kind to the planet. Photo: JoiThe co-founders of Paloma, a homegrown brand that bridges science and nature, using locally sourced ingredients, predict that gentler actives will take centre stage this year.
Sheryl Oon and Tim Koh believe that retinol alternatives, which offer benefits such as accelerating cell turnover and promoting collagen production with generally less irritation will increase in popularity.
“We’ve come to learn that skin sensitivities, today more than ever, are exceedingly common,” says Koh.
“With fast-paced lifestyles and a host of external aggressors, we expect to see ingredients like centella asiatica, aka pegaga, and bisabolol (both of which we have in our current lineup), and also panthenol and tranexamic acid.”
“We will likely see fewer isolated ingredients as finished products and more traditionally formulated, cohesive, multi-benefit products. Different chefs cook differently, even with the same recipes. We could not do this without our in-house scientist,” adds Koh.
Oon notes that items that allow for individualisation will also be a hit among consumers.
“Skincare that blends fashion and lifestyle, such as coloured or tinted lippies, or even tchotchkes (small decorative objects) that add to your stack of keys, handbag, or backpack,” says Oon.
B&B Labs CEO and co-founder Julius Lim notes that 2026 will be the year skincare stops being just “pretty products”, and skin health becomes something you can measure.
“We see two major things shaping the year ahead: science-led, health-first formulations (not just fancy marketing). Products and ingredients that genuinely support optimal skin barrier functions and natural repair will dominate,” says Lim.
“We’re talking more microbiome-friendly formulations incorporating prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics that work not just on the skin cells, but the entire skin ecosystem. Brands that can articulate visible, measurable benefits will win because the market is tired of ‘it smells nice’ or ‘it looks nice’ without results.”
Read more: From sea to skin: The rise of marine ingredients in today’s beauty rituals
He also predicts that oral skincare will move into the mainstream as consumers embrace and increasingly understand the skin-gut connection.
“Skin concerns like acne, sensitivity and premature ageing are no longer seen as purely topical issues but reflections of internal imbalance, says Lim.
Joi founder Charlotte Chua notes that today’s consumers want clarity and proof when it comes to ingredients, leading to clean beauty, natural ingredients and sustainability continuing to be major drivers in the industry.
“For natural ingredients, we’re seeing nature getting a high-tech upgrade. Think of it as using science to make natural plant extracts even stronger and more effective, without harming the environment.”
“We’re getting powerful results from nature’s best, but smarter,” says Chua, whose beauty and personal care brand includes skincare, shower and oral care products.
This year, more traditionally formulated, cohesive and multi-benefit products will hit the market. Photo: Paloma
Sustainability, she says, has gone beyond merely recyclable packaging.
“It’s about being good to the earth at every step – how we get our ingredients, how we make the products, how much water we use, and even how they get to you. People are pushing brands to do better for the planet, and that drive is only getting stronger,” says Chua.
Also worth mentioning is the prediction that Asian skincare will influence global trends even more in 2026.
“Markets like Korea, Japan, China and South-East Asia adopt new textures, ingredients and routines far earlier than the West and consumer feedback loops here are fast and unforgiving,” says Lim.
“Trends are tested, refined and validated in Asia before they scale globally.
“We’re also seeing deeper integration of traditional Asian botanicals and wellness philosophies with modern formulation science, which resonates with a global audience looking for efficacy with cultural depth.”
Predictions into products
As skincare shifts toward long-term skin health, brands are fundamentally rethinking how products are formulated, positioned and used.
Rather than chasing single “hero” ingredients or launching products designed to solve just one problem, many are moving toward holistic systems that support the skin as an ecosystem.
“We’re seeing formulations built around strengthening the skin barrier, maintaining microbiome balance and delivering measurable improvements over time.”
“This shows up in cleaner, more purposeful INCI (a universal system for naming ingredients) lists, clinically supported actives and claims that can actually be substantiated rather than just marketed,” says Lim.
“In terms of routines, brands are simplifying rather than expanding. The move is toward fewer steps, but smarter ones. Products are being designed to multitask, work synergistically and fit into realistic daily habits,” he adds.
Chua notes that brands are completely changing how they create skincare as consumers today care deeply about clean ingredients, natural options and being kind to the planet.
“When it comes to natural ingredients, brands are using smart science to make plant-based components incredibly powerful for your skin, getting these ingredients in eco-friendly ways, sometimes even from parts of plants that usually get thrown away,” she says.
“Brands are rethinking packaging entirely: you’ll see more refillable containers, increased use of glass, metal, or easily recyclable plastics, and more concentrated products like solid soap bars or powders you mix with water, meaning less plastic and less water waste,” adds Chua.
Brands are changing how they create skincare as consumers care deeply about clean ingredients, natural options and being kind to the planet. Photo: 123rf
Read more: The rise of at-home beauty as South Koreans skip salons for self-care
Here to stay
What sets 2026 apart is not the emergence of new ideas, but a change in consumer mindset.
After years of trend-hopping, overconsumption and social media-driven experimentation, consumers are prioritising outcomes – products that work, routines they can sustain and brands they can trust.
“Science-led, barrier-first skincare will continue to resonate because it solves real problems.
“Skin sensitivity, inflammation and compromised barriers are increasingly common due to stress, climate, pollution and overuse of actives,” says Lim.
“Products that strengthen and protect the skin’s ecosystem aren’t seasonal trends, they’re fundamental to long-term skin health.”
“This makes microbiome- friendly and gentle formulations clear long-term staples rather than passing fads,” he adds.
Koh notes, “Short-lived hype can stem from a host of things and marketing tactics, but you cannot replicate kindness and actual care for people. This has to be inherent in the people behind a business, and inherent in the product.”
“Consumers will always chase shiny new objects, but barrier-respecting skincare that can take your skin just as far, dare I say with less, that’s care for the user,” he says.
Ultimately, being informed – knowing what one puts on their skin – as well as trust and shared values will drive skincare trends this year.
“Clean beauty builds trust. People want to know what they’re putting on their skin is safe and effective,” says Chua.
“Consumers want to support brands that share their values and are actively doing good.”
“Because these trends tap into fundamental desires for health, trust, and a better world, they will continue to shape the personal care industry for a very long time, becoming the normal way things are done, not just a passing trend,” she adds.
