Six experts share their biggest beauty bets for 2026 – spanning skincare, appearance medicine, fragrance, makeup, body care and more.
Longevity in wellness, bioactive skincare and neo-gourmand fragrances are some of the prevailing innovations that will be big in 2026.
The dawn of these advancements signals the
rise of the considered beauty consumer, more motivated than ever to seek out products to suit their individual needs, brimming with the best ingredients and technology to hit their goals.
Values-based buying will continue its reign in 2026, explains formulation expert and author Dr Dominika Andrys, driven by consumers’ desire to understand the credentials behind a brand – making founder involvement, transparent communication and meaningful community engagement more important than ever.
Andrys explains that it’s a case of innovation, not trends, that ensures the beauty industry keeps momentum.
“Ultimately, the future of beauty is not defined by a single trend, but by a holistic evolution in how products are developed, communicated and experienced,” she says.
Dr Rachel Lee of Ponsonby Doctors agrees, adding that consumer curiosity has seen the industry continue to evolve in ways that put “science, subtlety and skin health at the centre”.
“All of this is a reminder that our field is never static. It’s innovative, fast-moving and deeply meaningful – because these advancements aren’t just about beauty. They’re about holistic wellness, personal transformation and quiet confidence.”
Here are the experts’ picks for every innovation and aesthetic to keep your eye on this year.
A focus on long-term skin health over quick fixes
Lee says skin health will take centre stage in 2026, with concerns like texture, evenness, tone and skin quality overshadowing the quick cosmetic fixes of years gone by.
Rapid innovation in the fields of regeneration and repair are expected to give way to formulations that respect the skin’s delicate balance or promise a more targeted solution for age-related skin concerns.
“New formulations with innovative ingredients such as probiotics to improve the skin flora balance; strategic combinations of active ingredients to correct specific concerns (such as melasma and acne) or targeted at specific skin receptors, for example oestrogen receptors in post-menopause skin – will correct and maintain your skin health over the long term,” she says.
Ceramides, peptides and exosomes gained popularity in 2025, and Andrys predicts these will remain at the forefront of beauty innovation into this year and beyond.
Andrys says science-driven innovation will define the next generation of beauty products, highlighting ingredients like epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and NAD+ actives, which support cellular repair, energy production and overall skin vitality.
“Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) is emerging as a major focus in 2026, driven by demand for skin regeneration, resilience and science-backed results,“ Andrys says.
“Unlike earlier approaches that focused primarily on structural changes, EGF and related growth factors are increasingly applied to support skin health, helping achieve the coveted ‘glass skin’ look and comprehensive anti-ageing benefits.”
Local skincare maker Elm Lab harnesses the calming benefits A2 colostrum in its three-strong range.
Bioactives over basic filler ingredients
2026 looks set to mark the second coming of new wave natural ingredients, as nutrient-rich extracts, bioactive ingredients and skin health-focused actives come to the fore.
This includes the likes of A2 colostrum, the hero ingredient underpinning all three products from newly launched skin and bodycare brand, Elm Lab. Developed by sharemilkers and husband-wife duo Will and Sarah Kirkland in a bid to heal their son Charlie’s severe eczema, Elm Lab recruits this nutrient-rich first milk produced by cows shortly after birth on their Otago farm.
When asked about A2 colostrum’s ability to soothe inflamed or delicate skin, Kirkland cites a 2024 review in Cosmetics Business, which supported much of the pair’s own research: “Colostrum contains hyaluronic acid, which helps the skin hold moisture; and proteins like lactoferrin and immunoglobulins, which have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm irritated or reactive skin. There are also growth factors that support collagen production and repair.“
Elm Lab combines the pair’s farming roots with modern science, which sees excess colostrum collected only after calves have had their fill. It’s then frozen and sent to a specialist lab, dried into a powder, then sent on to the manufacturer, which rehydrates and blends it into Elm Lab’s formulation with other natural, complementary ingredients.
Colostrum quality is important, and Kirkland says A2 colostrum (which comes from A2 cows) is considered gentler for those with sensitive stomachs when ingested.
“That research relates to nutrition rather than skincare, but the principle matters to us. The broader science around colostrum shows benefits for hydration, barrier support and collagen maintenance, and that’s what guides us. Choosing A2 colostrum is about intention and transparency, starting with something that feels naturally aligned with sensitive skin,” Kirkland says.
Medicube is one of the many K-beauty brands to harness PDRN in its formulas.
PDRN is another buzzy bioactive, a naturally occurring compound containing DNA fragments, typically extracted from salmon sperm and revered for its ability to regenerate and repair skin.
Dr Kevin Hayavi, medical director and managing partner at Beverly Hills Physicians, says the regenerative active is said to work at a cellular level to stimulate growth factors in skin, which accelerate the skin’s natural healing mechanisms.
PDRN or polydeoxyribonucleotide has been popular in South Korea for decades, but Hayavi says it’s gaining traction across the globe.
“What we’re seeing now is the skincare industry adapting this medical-grade ingredient for consumer products, and the results are genuinely impressive when used correctly.”
Find PDRN in topical treatments, including the Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum, $56, or in-clinic with injectable biostimulators like Rejuran, offered locally at Parnell’s Kaiz clinic.
Crossovers between skincare and wellness
Prepare to see the terms “longevity” and “metabolic wellness” everywhere in 2026.
According to Greg Macpherson, founder of SRW Laboratories, next year will see longevity transition from a niche biohacking pursuit to one of the key drivers of the beauty and wellness industry.
This is perpetuated by a consumer shift towards the desire to live healthier for longer, Macpherson says, and the deep understanding that beauty is no longer merely topical.
“In 2026 and beyond, the industry will pivot toward systemic health, where ‘looking young’ is a validated byproduct of biological resilience,“ he says.
“Generic anti-ageing claims will be replaced by data-backed clinical trial results. Accessible data and diagnostics from real-time biomarker wearables, metabolic markers and at home DNA methylation tests will allow consumers to measure effect and brands to prove efficacy.”
SRW Laboratories prioritises formulas that support mitochondrial function to restore energy to cells.
Macpherson chalks this shift up to an ageing population that demands products to support vitality and mobility – not just wrinkle reduction.
“This demographic is fuelling a multi-trillion-dollar market for functional wellness that integrates nutrition, recovery and aesthetic medicine into a single, seamless lifestyle,” Macpherson says.
“The most successful brands in 2026 and beyond will be those that stop selling ‘hope in a jar’ and start selling measurable, biological youth.”
Andrys agrees, adding that what started with supplements and holistic wellness is now merging into what she calls “fully integrated skin health ecosytems”.
“Beauty is no longer reactive, it is becoming proactive healthcare. In 2026, the focus will be on ingredients that deliver real results, support skin health at a cellular level, and integrate seamlessly into a holistic approach to beauty and longevity.”
VT Cosmetics uses spicule technology to penetrate deeply into skin.
Needle-less treatments over injections
One of the biggest skincare shifts of 2026 is results without injections, Lee says, predicting the rise in needle-less delivery systems. Appearance medicine treatments will always have their place, but many people crave results without necessitating needles.
“Topical delivery systems, energy-based devices and new transdermal technologies will make ‘needle-less’ one of the most talked-about categories in aesthetics,“ she says.
“This means that treatments are now more accessible to certain groups of people, for example teenagers who need acne treatment, people on certain medications such as blood thinners or who bruise easily, and anyone with needle-phobia in general or who prefers minimal to no downtime.”
A handful of needle-less delivery systems have already launched to market, including spicules – microscopic, needle-like structures that aid deep delivery of active ingredients by creating microchannels in the skin. This includes K-beauty brand VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot 100, $53.
Appearance Medicine
Sculptra is one of the many biostimulatory injectables that support skin quality.
Subtlety over transformation
The collective preference toward natural, refreshed results over dramatic changes looks set to continue in 2026, explains Lee, adding micro-treatments (tweakments), soft lifts and procedures with minimal downtime will be du jour next year.
“Subtlety will become the new luxury. People will be more willing to embark on skin health journeys over the course of the year, where they visit their aesthetician on a more regular basis for natural ‘tweakments’ , which keeps them looking like themselves – just fresher, younger and more radiant,“ she says.
This is achievable through biostimulatory injectables (or skin boosters) like Sculptra, which stimulates the skin’s fibroblasts to produce more collagen and elastin, alongside gentle, non-ablative laser treatments, including Laser Genesis or Moxi, which heat the deep skin layers and boost collagen production to improve tone, texture, pores or redness with little downtime or discomfort.
For Dr Tania Romano, head of medical and education at Skinbetterscience, we’re moving away from over-filling, over-freezing and over-treating, with many people wanting a natural look that promotes skin health.
“The two biggest skin concerns for most consumers are building collagen (to improve skin firmness and elasticity) and reducing appearance of pigmentation, therefore new innovations will very likely focus on ingredients that target these concerns,” Romano says.
All of this gives way to the “lunch break treatment” phenomenon, and Lee predicts new ways to accommodate this desire for express services.
“Patients want to return to work, life and events almost immediately, without too much ‘tell-tale’ bruising, swelling or redness – and new technologies are rising to meet that,” Lee says.
“Laser and radio-frequency needling devices now have gentler settings while still delivering effective results; needle-less delivery systems ensure no bruising or injection marks. Combination post-procedural recovery protocols with LED, exosomes, skincare formulated with peptides, anti-redness, anti-bruising and hydrating ingredients can be incorporated to aid recovery.”
Makeup
The Glitchy Glam makeup movement celebrates individuality and irregularity. Photo / Pinterest
Irregularity and individuality over imitation and perfectionism
According to Pinterest Predicts 2026, the annual report in which the platform promises a glimpse into beauty’s future, “vamp romantic” and “glitchy glam” are anticipated to top this year’s visual vibe.
Pinterest Predicts 2026 is based on insights of half a billion people who use the platform each month to shop or search for inspiration, offering an inside look into the shift in consumer preferences.
Vamp romantic is a nod to an after-dark aesthetic, punctuated by jet black nails, romantic goth hairstyles and a smudged smokey eye, all wrapped up in highly glossed textures. In the report, searches for “dark romantic makeup” were up by 160%, “vampire beauty” by 90% and “gothic coffin nails” by 180%.
Glitchy Glam offer an antidote to the beauty standards that perpetuate the need for flawlessness and symmetry, instead signalling a preference for irregularity and individuality over imitation. Think mismatched manicures, asymmetrical winged liner, dual-toned lipstick and eccentric eyeshadow looks. This trend ushers in a new era of escapism – signalling the kind of creative energy that beauty is bound for next. Searches including “weird makeup looks” were up by 115% in the Pinterest Predicts report, “nails with different colours on each hand” by 125% and “eccentric makeup” by 100%.
Fragrance
Phlur is one of the newest brands available at Mecca, and its fragrance expert predicts this scent will explode in 2026.
Neo-gourmands over saccharide-sweet scents
Virginia Woodger, head of fragrance at Mecca, predicts fragrance will become even more deeply connected to emotion, identity and indulgence, with of-the-moment fragrance notes reflecting this shift.
She explains that neo-gourmands are at the crux of this, an evolution of classic gourmand fragrances.
“The next wave is more complex, savoury and sophisticated, moving away from overly sweet scents into multi-layered fragrances that feel more unexpected,” Woodger says.
Expect to see a rise in scents that highlight creamy, milk-inspired accords, Woodger adds, with soft, comforting or nostalgic compositions coming to the fore.
“This sits at the intersection of two macro movements: a desire for sensory comfort and the resurgence of gourmand, but done in a very modern, textural way,” she says, citing Dedcool’s Mochi Milk and Born To Stand Out’s Dirty Milk.
Lush’s iconic Super Milk Spray also comes in a lotion format for body.
Beyond neo-gourmands, Woodger predicts next-generation musks will be huge in 2026, an updated take on sheer skin scents that last longer and feel more emotionally resonant. Florals is another, she says, with brands pushing the limits of what’s possible with rose, violet and iris.
“Think unexpected pairings, unusual textures and experimental concentrations. Some of 2026’s biggest launches from niche houses will sit squarely in this new-wave floral world,” Woodger says.
Concentrations are also predicted to climb, with consumers’ demand for sillage (scent trail) and longevity driving the demand for extrait, absolu and rich concentrations.
Vyrao’s Ludatrix fragrance is designed to ignite arousal in the wearer.
Fragrance rituals over simple spritzing
Functional fragrance will continue its evolution well into next year, says Woodger, adding that scent’s link to mood, memory and emotional wellbeing will result in consumers seeking out fragrances that don’t simply smell beautiful – they influence energy or emotional states, too.
Vyrao’s newest launches – Ludatrix and Ludeaux – are excellent examples of this, both of which centre around neuroscience-backed ingredients designed to enhance sensuality, energy and happiness, as measured by the International Flavour & Fragrance’s (IFF) proprietary Science of Wellness programme.
Ludatrix features a suite of sensual notes like lipstick and latex to heighten arousal, while the playful energy Ludeaux is layered with a seductive blend of milky peach, osmanthus, jasmine and magnolia.
This intersection of fragrance and wellness has paved the way for scent to become part of multi-sensory rituals, Woodger says. Think olfactions designed to accompany meditation, to usher in sleep, to align with breathwork practices or daily reset routines.
“As beauty becomes increasingly experiential, fragrance will really be seen as a wellness tool as much as an aesthetic choice, and even the big, more established fragrance houses are starting to get involved,” she says.
Mecca’s recently opened Bourke St store in Melbourne elevates the fragrance wardrobe shopping experience to new heights.
Fragrance wardrobes over signature scents
“Fragrance is now an extension of style, mood and self-expression, so the idea of having one signature scent is becoming less relevant, especially for younger and newer fragrance lovers,” says Woodger.
She adds that the rise in scent wardrobing and layering began its uptick in 2025, with many customers building fragrance collections to suit every mood, moment or occasion.
While a signature scent may feel grounding and iconic, Woodger says a fragrance wardrobe feels “playful, expressive and versatile”. It’s not that signature scents are gone for good, either, it’s that scent preferences are becoming broader.
“What we’re seeing is not a rejection of the signature, but a broadening: customers might have a core scent identity but enjoy exploring different profiles around it,” she says, adding many Mecca shoppers are asking for scent layering advice in-store.
“In essence, fragrance has become less about consistency and more about creativity.”
This notion is backed up by the theme of scent stacking, announced as part of the Pinterest Predicts 2026 report. Here, the shift is described as the collective preference toward bespoke fragrance notes, and lessons in layering. Searches for “niche perfume collection” was up by 500%, while “perfume layering combinations” was up by 125%.
Body care
HIFU skin tightening is one of the non-surgical treatments said to come to the fore next year.
Non-invasive body treatments over surgery
Body treatments will step into the spotlight in 2026, Lee says, as the demand for non-surgical body contouring, skin tightening, fat reduction and muscle stimulation grows.
These treatments can be delivered using a suite of combination protocols ranging from biostimulatory injectables (yes, they’re not solely reserved for your face) alongside advanced energy devices – think radiofrequency (RF) or ultrasound (HIFU) skin tightening, or muscle toning like electrical muscle stimulation (EMS).
Lee adds often neglected areas that give away age, including neck, decolletage and hands, will pull focus, with new treatments tailored to care for each region alongside growing awareness to protect all three daily with skincare, then sunscreen.
Scalp care is another, she says, with aesthetic treatments like lasers, needling and exosomes available to strengthen, protect and keep the scalp and hair follicles healthy, thus encouraging hair growth while reducing hair loss.
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