With skin-care trends popping up faster than ever, a select few have earned the stamp of approval from top dermatologists. Today’s patients are more knowledgeable than ever and brands are meeting the demand with innovative ingredients, new technology and gentler formulations. As we look ahead to 2025, these are the patient-driven, dermatologist-approved trends poised to shape the future of skin care.
Featured Experts
- Doris Day, MD is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York
- Daniel Schlessinger, MD is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Omaha, NE
- Tina Alster, MD is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Washington D.C.
- Janine Hopkins, MD is a board-certified dermatologist with practices in Monroe, LA and Southlake, TX
Sun Safety Gains Traction
Sun care is one of the biggest skin-care trends right now and dermatologists don't see any sign of it slowing down. "I'm seeing more patients searching for all-mineral/physical sunscreens to replace their chemical sunscreen formulations," notes Omaha, NE dermatologist Daniel Schlessinger, MD. "While chemical and hybrid chemical/physical sunscreens do still have their place, physical sunscreens tend to be gentler on the skin and are a coral reef-friendly choice for those who frequently swim in the ocean or live in certain areas of the world that ban chemical sunscreens like Key West or Hawaii."
We're also asking our sun care to do more. "Sunscreen is only protecting you from UVA/UVB rays," says Monroe, LA dermatologist Janine Hopkins, MD. "You need antioxidants; you should really be starting your day with antioxidants to reduce free radicals. And now we're seeing more combination products that don't just include antioxidants, but also ceramides and niacinamides that protect your skin barrier."
Exosomes and Regenerative Benefits
"One trend I'm seeing is a focus on treatments that offer regenerative benefits rather than just filling or smoothing out wrinkles," says New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD. "These treatments are great because they are longer lasting and they improve skin quality as well. We use several combinations of regenerative procedures and products for our patients to optimize outcomes and to offer a more holistic approach to rejuvenation."
At the forefront of regenerative skin care are exosomes, the little carrying bags full of proteins, DNA and RNA.
"Exosomes are going to be playing a big role moving forward in skin care," says Washington D.C. dermatologist Tina Alster, MD. "I've even used them in a product combined with retinol to boost collagen production and help calm skin, as they're anti-inflammatory."
Skin-Care Trends Get Gentle
These days, sensitive skin is in and dermatologists have noticed.
"While retinol is still considered the gold standard in anti-aging skin care, people whose skin just can’t tolerate retinol (even with proper acclimation) seem to increasingly be searching for gentler alternatives that offer similar benefits," Dr. Daniel Schlessinger explains. "Bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative, is one ingredient trending for its ability to provide similar (but not identical) benefits to traditional retinol while being gentler on the skin."
And while we look for alternatives to harsher skin-care options, we're also learning more about protecting our skin barrier.
"We've also seen a lot of interest this year in the skin barrier," Dr. Alster explains. "A lot of people are finding that they're overprocessing their skin. And I tell my patients that in this case, it's better to keep your routine simple and rely on a few efficacious products."
