What’s next in skincare? According to Joanna Ryglewicz, founder of NISHA Manufacturing – a skincare manufacturer specialising in private label and custom formulations for innovative beauty brands – the future is all about smart, sustainable & sensorial beauty.

From next-gen ageing support to lab-grown actives and silky hybrid textures, these trends aren’t just buzzwords. They’re grounded in real science and already shaping some of the most exciting new products on the market.

Understanding what goes into your skincare means you can make more confident, informed choices, and spot innovation before it hits the mainstream.

1. The New Age of Ageing: How Smart Ingredients Are Changing the Game

We all love a skincare routine that helps us feel fresh, radiant and supported at every stage. While traditional anti-ageing formulas still have their place, a new generation of products is emerging that takes a different approach: supporting your skin’s natural vitality, rather than trying to turn back time.

One of the most exciting frontiers? NAD+ boosters. This is a molecule that naturally exists in our cells and plays a key role in energy and repair. But as we age, our levels drop. Some brands are now turning to plant-based NAD+ boosters, like those extracted from organic sunflower sprouts, to help recharge the skin’s natural functions with impressive speed.

NAD+ is especially valued for its ability to support mitochondrial function – often described as the ‘powerhouses’ of our cells – which is essential for maintaining healthy, resilient skin.

In clinical studies, these kinds of actives have shown impressive results: hydration boosted by 36%, skin smoothness improved by 25%, and all within just half an hour.

Look for this on the label —

Ingredients such as NAD+ precursors, nicotinamide riboside, or cellular energy boosters may indicate that a product supports smart ageing through bioactive science.

So if you’re browsing the ingredient list of your next serum, keep an eye out for terms like NAD+ precursors or cellular energy boosters. They’re becoming a key marker of advanced, science-led skincare.

2. Sustainable Science: How Lab-Grown and Upcycled Ingredients Are Reshaping Skincare

Sustainability in skincare has moved far beyond recyclable packaging. Today’s innovation is happening at the ingredient level, where science is finding smarter, more eco-conscious ways to deliver results without compromising on efficacy.

One standout example is Ectoin®, a molecule first discovered in extremophile microorganisms that survive in Earth’s most hostile environments. It’s now cultivated through sustainable indoor farming, entirely soil-free, making it both environmentally efficient and traceable. In skincare, Ectoin® acts as a powerful cellular shield, helping protect skin from environmental stressors such as pollution, UV radiation, and blue light, all while boosting hydration, smoothing fine lines, and supporting long-term barrier repair.

You’ll find this science-backed ingredient in formulations like Oio Lab’s All-In Eye Serum, where it helps care for the delicate skin around the eyes by combining protective, soothing and regenerative benefits in one multi-functional product.

Upcycled ingredients are also having a well-deserved moment. Take cork oak bark extract, for instance, a byproduct of the wine cork industry that’s now being repurposed as a potent active ingredient. This kind of circular approach is a win-win: reducing waste while delivering functional benefits to the skin.

Look for this on the label —

Terms like Ectoin®, cork oak extract, upcycled ingredients, or lab-grown actives often signal formulas that align both with skin health and sustainability values.

As more brands lean into clean innovation, expect to see a growing number of formulas using lab-grown or upcycled actives. This is a sign that sustainability and performance are no longer mutually exclusive.

3. The Rise of Hybrid Textures: Where Skincare Meets Makeup

Skincare and makeup are no longer separate categories – the lines are blurring, beautifully. As more people embrace minimalist routines that still deliver visible results, we’re seeing a surge in hybrid formulations that offer the best of both worlds.

Leading the charge are milky emulsions: fluid, lightweight textures that feel like skincare but often look like makeup. These “glazing milks” are more than just aesthetically pleasing. Their unique consistency allows them to deliver both oil- and water-based actives deep into the skin, helping to create that sought-after glass skin effect while reinforcing hydration and skin barrier health.

Taking things a step further, tinted milks are now entering the spotlight. These multitasking products combine subtle skin tone evening with active skincare benefits, making them ideal for anyone who wants a radiant, healthy finish without layering multiple steps.

Look for this on the label —

Phrases like “tinted serum”, “milky emulsion”, “skin tint with actives”, or “hybrid skincare” usually indicate that a product offers both instant glow and long-term care.

If you are the type to skip foundation but still want your skin to look fresh, even and hydrated, hybrid textures offer a simple and effective way to achieve that balance.

Looking ahead…

From bioactive ageing support to lab-grown actives and hybrid textures that blur the lines between skincare and makeup, it is clear that beauty innovation is entering a new chapter. This chapter is shaped by science, sustainability, and a desire for products that do more with less.

These trends are not just fleeting moments or seasonal fads. They reflect a broader shift in how we care for our skin and how we think about what goes into the products we use. Ingredients are no longer hidden away in fine print. They are front and centre, and many beauty lovers now read a product’s label with the same attention they might give a food label or a wellness supplement.

For Joanna Ryglewicz, founder of NISHA Manufacturing, this evolution reflects something deeper. It marks a growing movement towards skincare that is as thoughtful as it is effective. 

Whether you are scanning ingredient lists out of fascination, prioritising sustainability, or simply trying to choose what is best for your skin, staying curious about what is inside your products is one of the most empowering things you can do as a beauty consumer.

The future of skincare is not only about what we apply. It is also about understanding why it works, where it comes from, and how it fits into a more conscious approach to self-care.