Here Comes The Science Bit – L’Oréal and Mintel Launch Skin Science Report

The Facial Care Market in the UK generated £956 million in 2011 and is forecast to break the £1 billion mark in 2013.

More than nine out of ten women in Britain today use facial skincare products. Mintel research shows that 35% of women agree that skincare products developed by dermatologists are better than regular ones. One in five of British women use anti-ageing products and one in ten like to try skincare products with the latest scientific ingredients.

Products have come a long way. The first mass market skin creams, launched 30 years ago, were effective because they kept the skin hydrated. After these morning, and then evening, moisturisers came products which contain specific molecules, such as jasmonic acid. The explosion of new-generation serums, retinol, hyaluronic acids and probiotic technology are proof of the extensive scientific understanding of the physiology and biology of the skin targeting particular aspects of skin function.

L’Oréal was founded by a young chemist called Eugène Schueller in 1909 and today they are developing the next generation of skin care products taking into account new knowledge, such as that uncovered by the Human Genome Project, advances in molecular biology, physics and understanding the pathways in skin ageing.

To mark the 30th anniversary of the launch of the company’s biggest mass-market skincare product, L’Oréal Paris Revitalift, L’Oréal in collaboration with leading market reseach firm Mintel  have published ‘Here Comes the Science Bit’ – a report on  the future of skin care. Download the report here.

@shine_squad and @leohopes were there to find out the exciting advances in skin science. Here are some of the findings from the report:

Lucy Beresford, Frederic Leroy, Vivienne Rudd & Patricia Pineau on the panel for the L’Oreal-Mintel Report Launch on 12th July, London

Future developments in skin care set to fuel market growth

The report outlines what advances in skin care British women can look forward to in the future as it goes behind the lab doors at the world’s largest cosmetics company, L’Oréal. Future skincare developments being worked on at the moment include:

Couture skin care and serum blending – after decades of research for L’Oréal, scientists are in the process of testing new handheld computers which will instantly assess a client’s skin condition while they are in a beauty spa/salon. Based on complexion, pore condition, hydration levels and biological age of skin, a ‘Cell Score Identity’ reading will be given and the skincare professional will mix a tailor-made serum from its Kéraskin range for the customer.

Skinchips: New technological developments will mean personalised and precise skin care analysis for all. Skinchips are now able to judge changes in temperature, humidity and time – all of which are important in our skin health. This, along with other personal tools, will be able to help build a profile of our skin’s history and calculate what it needs and when, to keep it healthy, where ever you are and whatever you need.

Testing efficacy of products against invasive beauty treatments: As innovation and new ways of testing product efficacy gathers pace, product performance will be benchmarked against invasive beauty treatments. L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Laser Renew is the company’s first ever product to be tested against a CO2 laser and the results were excellent. The product is currently being launched in the UK.

Skin-tegration – Scientific innovation has made it possible to deliver foundation and skin care in one and the power of social media sees a swapping of routines between cultures, as people self-select what works best for them. BB creams spread from Korea  to become a mainstay now at Western European beauty counters.

Personalisation – not just appearance but on biological parameters. As the cost of sequencing the human genome continues to fall, it is not difficult to envisage a scenario where a person arrives at the beauty counter with their own complete sequence on a memory stick so that an appropriate suite of beauty products be recommended.  Or that a small sample of cells from a cheek swab can be used to identify a particular gene that strongly influences what type of skin care the person should be using.

The report also reveals:

Motivations for skincare use revealed: Cleaning skin is the top motivator for consumers using skin care in Britain today – with 62% claiming this as their main reason. However, with 16% of Brits today having dry skin, its impact on purchasing behaviour is clear, with 56% of consumers citing “looking after dry skin” as a motivator for use. To protect (41%), to look better for their age (37%) and for wrinkles (36%) make up the remaining top five reasons. Getting rid of dark circles and age spots (18%) and to tighten slackening skin (13%) are also key motivators.

Age aware at 25: when a woman reaches the age of 25 this is when she starts to think about age maintenance and seeks out more effective products that have been developed using the latest innovations and science. Today, just 8% of under-25s use products that help them look better for their age – and this jumps to 26% among 25-34 year olds.

Majority of women want to look younger: According to the report findings, nearly two-thirds (37%) of women want to look better for their age – and this is a particular priority for 41% of women who work full-time who say it is a priority for them to look young. Looking younger also reflects the trends which occur among those who are seeking help to tackle wrinkles. Again, this is a priority for 36% of all women but most markedly amongst 55-64s (54%). The research also reveals that nearly half (46%) of all women in the UK now use anti-wrinkle eye creams.

Women spend most on moisturisers: In 2011, the mass market for facial skin care is broken down as follows: Moisturisers/treatments account for £249 million; cleansers for £179 million; medicated for £77 million, lip salves for £41 million; eyecare for £28 million, masks for £10 million and toners for £9 million.

British women clean up on cleansers: Nine in 10 (94%) women in Britain today use facial skin care products and cleansing creams, and makeup removers are used by eight in 10 (81%).

Growth set to continue: The future continues to looks bright for the UK skin care market – as Mintel estimates it will grow still further beyond the billion mark to reach £1.2 billion by 2015.

Source: Mintel’s Facial Skincare – UK- 2012 Report