At HARKE UK & Ireland, we’re passionate about helping formulators stay ahead of the curve. In our recent webinar, hosted by Amelia Roberts and Dil Sarker, we spotlighted five key personal care trends shaping innovation across skincare and haircare, from TikTok-fuelled teen skincare to sustainable waterless formats.

Below, you’ll find a short summary of each trend along with standout ingredient ideas discussed in the session. If you’d like to see the full presentation, you can watch the webinar here. 

 

1. Gen Alpha Radiance: Skincare for the TikTok Generation

Gen Alpha (born 2010 onwards) is discovering skincare via TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, with over 66% of UK 12–14-year-olds saying social media helps them find new beauty products. They want skincare that feels premium but is gentle, fun, and sensory. Think jelly textures, colourful bursts, and self-expression through skincare rituals.

Ingredient ideas:

• APPORE – A natural astringent and anti-inflammatory from apple, chestnut, and persimmon extracts that targets acne-prone young skin.
• Cosmospheres® – Natural cellulose beads that deliver actives in a fun, poppable format, perfect for teen-friendly aesthetics.
• Carrubba Flavours – High-impact flavours like cookie dough and cotton candy for lip balms and skincare with sensory appeal.
• Azeloglicina® – A gentle but effective active that controls sebum and inflammation without drying out young skin.

 

2. Fermented ProBio-Boost: Unlocking Fermentation for Performance

Once a K-beauty niche, fermentation has gone mainstream. By enhancing bioavailability, fermented ingredients offer better hydration, barrier support, and anti-ageing benefits.

Ingredient ideas:

• Amino Keratin – A vegan keratin-like complex that strengthens and hydrates hair, lashes, and nails.
• Deoplex® – A natural odour neutraliser made from fermented sugarcane enzymes, great for post-workout freshness.
• Cerafy™ Pure NPo – A pure biomimetic ceramide that mimics the skin’s natural barrier function.
• Fermentoils – COSMOS-compliant fermented oils that improve skin texture and emulsion stability.

 

3. Scalp Health Revolution: Skinification of Haircare

Scalp care is the new skincare. With the UK haircare market on the rise, consumers are focusing on root-cause treatments for issues like irritation, sensitivity, and hair loss.

Ingredient ideas:

• BIO-Placenta Hair – A biotech complex with growth factors and vitamins that promote scalp and hair follicle health.
• Scalp-Biome – A microbiome-balancing ingredient that soothes irritation and supports healthy scalp flora.
• Tiolisina® Complex 30 PF – A dual-action complex that controls oil and reduces dandruff-causing bacteria.
• Tricho-Solve – A natural extract that targets hormonal hair loss and inflammation through a patented delivery system.

 

4. Extremophiles Harnessed: Resilience from Nature’s Toughest Organisms

Extremophile-derived actives – from microbes that survive deserts, glaciers, and even the stratosphere – are redefining high-performance skincare with their protective, barrier-boosting, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Ingredient ideas:

• Antarctic-G – Glycoproteins from Antarctic microbes that hydrate, brighten, and reinforce the skin barrier.
• Desertica – A desert algae that supports DNA repair and combats UV and heat damage.
• PlusXanthin™ – A potent antioxidant from the world’s most resilient bacterium with anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Stratocare – A fermented metabolite from the stratosphere that regulates sebum and reduces inflammation.

 

5. Turning the Tide: Innovations in Waterless Formulations

With 67% of global consumers seeking sustainable beauty, waterless formats are leading the shift toward climate-friendly, high-performance personal care. Solid bars, powders and soluble packaging can lower transport emissions, reduce waste and prolong shelf life.

Ingredient ideas:

• Mackam® 2800 – A powdered surfactant with low water content, perfect for solid shampoos and syndet bars.
• Geropon® TC 95 P – A mild powdered surfactant offering great foaming and cleansing for waterless formats.
• Omyacare® S70 KP – A mineral additive for soap bars that enhances texture and foam while keeping it natural.
• Soluble Packaging – Formulations designed for biodegradable PVA film, enabling precise dosing and reduced plastic use.

 

Watch the Webinar Recording

Want to dive deeper into the trends, formulations, and future-forward ingredients discussed in our session?

Watch the webinar here!

If you’d like to request a sample or chat with us about any of the trends or ingredients featured, please get in touch. We’d love to help you bring your next formulation to life.