Trend cluster
Category

Glycolic
Expansion

Glycolic acid use is expanding into different forms of personal care.

Roll-On Ingrown TonicsLeave-In Exfoliant PadsGlycolic Body BarsDeodorizing Biodegradable PadsDetoxifying Scalp Masks

Trend

What is the Glycolic Expansion trend?

Glycolic Expansion: Glycolic acid has become popular in skincare, most often as an active ingredient in serums and toners. Now, the ingredient is being incorporated into alternative skincare products that include everything from bar soaps to deodorizing pads.

Insight

The consumer insight behind the Glycolic Expansion trend

Consumers being more knowledgeable about skincare now works to the advantage of cosmetic companies that want to expand their collections. As consumers seek out effective and potent ingredients in this space, brands are able to adapt by incorporating familiar ingredients into new and unlikely formats.

Trend themes

Themes within the Glycolic Expansion trend

Three behaviours holding the trend together
01

Expanding Use of Glycolic Acid in Skincare

As consumers seek out effective and potent ingredients, brands are adapting by incorporating familiar ingredients such as glycolic acid into new and unlikely formats.

02

Whole-Body Skincare Products are Incorporating Hero Ingredients

Inspired by skincare, brands are creating whole-body skincare products that incorporate hero ingredients that are effective for their deeply hydrating or gently exfoliating properties.

03

Specialized Hair Treatments for a Dry Scalp

Consumers are investing in specialized hair treatments that offer care beyond what the average shampoo or conditioner provides--such as the Malin+Goetz Detox Scalp Mask that cleans away dead skin cells, product buildup, and excess oil from a dry scalp.

Industry implications

What the Glycolic Expansion trend means for industry

Where the trend changes the playbook
For

Cosmetics

With knowledgeable skincare consumers, many cosmetic companies can leverage the expanding use of glycolic acid and create products such as Surface Deep's Anti-Odor pads made with fruit-based glycolic acid.

For

Hair Care

Brands such as Malin+Goetz are taking advantage of the trend of specialized hair treatments for a dry scalp and creating products like their Detox Scalp Mask that leaves hair looking fuller after a quick five-minute treatment.

For

Skincare

Pro-Derm's new AHA-BHA lotions demonstrates how the skincare industry is enhancing the ingredient offerings that contain glycolic acid and salicylic to gently evict dead skin cells and reduce signs of premature aging while preventing acne breakouts, ingrown hairs, blackheads, and keratosis pilaris.

Workshop question

How is your brand capitalizing off consumers' expanding industry knowledge?

Trend signals

Trend signals for Glycolic Expansion

Trend score 3.4 out of 10, from popularity 50%, activity 41%, freshness 11%.

Popularity50%
Activity41%
Freshness11%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
  • Gen Alpha
  • Gen Z
  • Millennial
  • Gen X
  • Boomer
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific