The 2024 skincare trends you need to know, according to the experts

While last year might have been all about LED masks, face yoga, skin icing and double-cleansing, each year brings forth new skincare trends. Although we're keeping some of our tried, tested, and beloved beauty routines and products, it’s always thrilling to see where the ever-evolving skincare industry could take us next. To get the inside scoop on what is all the rage this year, Vogue Scandinavia sat down with three industry experts – get the low-down below.

“When we look at this year, we can see what was trending at the end of last year, and right now, we’re putting in a lot of effort to obtain a glowy complexion and a more even skin tone, so much so that we wouldn’t have to wear any makeup – this has been seen on the red carpets where celebrities wear little makeup or nothing at all,” says Lotta Taipalus, founder of Helsinki-based medical aesthetic clinic Klinik Linnea.

Whether it is the skincare products we stock up our beauty cupboards with or the results we’re looking for when booking facial treatments, 2024 is about achieving that healthy, lit-from-within glow by natural means. Dermal fillers and synthetic skincare ingredients become a thing of the past. Instead, the focus shifts to in-office treatments like microneedling, light therapy and lasers that effectively rejuvenate the skin and boost its own ability to address a host of concerns like ageing, skin texture and inflammation.

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In terms of skincare products, brands are increasingly researching and introducing new ingredients derived from natural sources. “There’s a new era of skincare on the horizon, where enhancing the skin’s function with natural ingredients takes front and centre,” says Taipalus. “Using innovative ingredients like proteins, lipids, and exosomes will probably become hugely popular in the next few years.”

Our unique Nordic nature boasts many gems like arctic berries, birch and pine that can all be utilised in skincare. And while brands like Finnish Lumene have already been doing pioneering work with such ingredients, this year might see a surge in science-backed products that use these super-charged components even more. “I definitely see a trend in exploring these raw and clean, nature-found ingredients further,” says Minna Monthan, facialist and founder of Hilla Helsinki Day Spa. This year and in the years to come, we might see a rise in products that no longer contain popular lab-made ingredients like vitamin C and retinol. Instead, these components will be sourced from nature, such as cloudberries, sea buckthorn, bakuchiol, and even carrots.

Related: Skincare science: This is why you should be using cloudberries in your skincare

If anyone is still doing their 10-step skincare routine, it’s time to say goodbye to the excess serums, oils and creams. This trend already reared its head last year, going stronger into this year as we keep streamlining our beauty routines. Now, the main thing is to find the key products that work for you and stick to them. “If we have three or four great products instead of 10, we won’t over-treat the skin, and that will minimise the appearance of any problems,” says Monthan. “For example, perioral dermatitis [tiny red bumps that appear around the mouth or the nose] has blown up in the past years, and that’s solely because people keep over-treating their skin with too many products and active ingredients like acids, while constantly switching up their beauty arsenal.”

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Anne Kathrine Hansen, a skincare specialist at Norway-based Scandinavian Beauty, which owns skincare clinics nationwide, agrees. “The focus will now be on simple skincare – we want to restore the barrier function and the skin’s immune system so that inflammation goes down and the skin looks healthy and supple.” A basic, four-step regimen usually consists of cleansing (double cleanse if you prefer), a toner, a concentrated serum such as vitamin C, niacinamide, or retinol, and a moisturiser with SPF, or a separate moisturiser and sunblock (which you won't need for your night routine). However, since we all have unique skin concerns, it’s advisable to consult a professional to determine the most suitable regimen for you.

Perhaps you’ve encountered some of the teenage skincare enthusiasts on TikTok who are already incorporating powerful anti-ageing ingredients, such as retinol, into their routines? While that might be a slight overkill (Taipalus, for instance, recommends starting retinol at 25), it shows how educated Gen Z is about preventing some of the biggest skin concerns, such as acne and premature ageing.

Although the younger generation is the one flaunting their knowledge online, the last few years have seen people in general become more interested in learning about what we’re putting onto our skin and what the ingredients will actually do. “Now, we are preventing the damages rather than trying to fix them after they’re already there,” says Taipalus. Active ingredients like retinoids, vitamin C, peptides, Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), and Beta Hydroxy Acid (salicylic acid) all help fight the signs of premature ageing, and when applied correctly, can yield positive results. Upon incorporating these ingredients into your routine, it's important to remember that retinoids should be applied at night, while vitamin C is best used during the day. Additionally, it's generally best to focus on one active ingredient at a time to avoid irritation.

Related: You are probably still making these retinol mistakes, say skincare experts

We know you've probably heard this time and again, but we'll repeat: sunscreen is a crucial part of your morning skincare routine, no matter the weather. While we're much more sun-savvy now than, say, five years ago, the importance of using sunblock will always be a skincare 'trend' worth remembering. Using SPF daily not only fights signs of ageing but also helps prevent skin cancer, making it an essential part of our beauty routines. Gone are the days of sticky, yucky creams; now we have light lotions, mists, foundation-like serums, and everything in between, all with advanced formulas to keep us safe from the sun's rays. The best part? Taipalus predicts that even more progress will be made this year and in the coming years, with a host of beauty brands introducing even more advanced SPF products.

Related: The best sunscreen for ever skin type, tried and tested by our editors

Similar to what we witnessed last year, with at-home LED masks and face massagers starting to pop out everywhere, skincare tools aren’t going anywhere. In fact, they’re bound to develop even further. And while these at-home gadgets can help improve many skin concerns, in-office treatments, though more expensive, are inarguably much more effective.

“The popularity of in-office device treatments is only growing, with Morpheus8 being one of the most sought-after treatments – that will most likely carry on this year as well,” says Taipalus. Morpheus8 is a non-surgical facial treatment that utilises radiofrequency technology and microneedling to restore the skin and stimulate collagen production. Other in-office treatments that our experts say are likely to reign supreme next year include intense pulsed light therapy (IPL), which targets skin texture, fine lines and wrinkles, as well as Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF), a newer and much more powerful development of PRP, which uses one’s own blood serum to regenerate the skin.

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As highlighted in this article and by the skincare specialists interviewed, there isn't a single ingredient that stands out this year. As the science behind skincare products evolves, new and improved formulas are entering the market. Experts suggest the industry is shifting toward a more natural approach, where popular ingredients like retinol and vitamin C may be derived from natural sources instead of being synthesized in a lab. Additionally, innovative ingredients such as proteins, lipids, and exosomes are expected to gain prominence. Alongside active components such as retinoids and niacinamide and supportive ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which strengthen the skin barrier, SPF remains an essential part of our daily skincare routines.

Let's face it: our skin will age, and that cannot be stopped. However, there are myriad ways to slow down the signs and prevent premature aging. Regarding the future of skincare, powerful anti-aging ingredients like retinoids, acids, and vitamin C probably aren't going anywhere; rather, they are evolving in their formulations and sources.

As discussed in this article, skincare extends beyond cleansers, creams, and serums to include at-home gadgets and in-office treatments. These potent tools will remain integral in the future, with device treatments advancing alongside technology. Dermatologists and skincare specialists are always seeking more effective solutions for concerns like skin ageing, so we can expect continued innovations in anti-aging facials and cutting-edge device therapies.

Just like in other fields, technology in skincare is constantly evolving. Popular brands like CurrentBody, Dr. Dennis Gross, Foreo, Solawave, Therabody and Omnilux have recently introduced some of the most sought-after at-home devices targeting a range of skin concerns. The viral LED light therapy, which can be done both at home and at the dermatologist's office, has remained a firm favourite, helping to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as acne breakouts, skin texture, and pigmentation. Other popular beauty gadgets this year that don't require a visit to the dermatologist's office include microcurrent massagers, which tone and lift the skin, facial massagers that enhance circulation and product absorption, and at-home lasers for reducing scars and hyperpigmentation.

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Regarding innovative in-office treatments that utilise technology, our experts highlight Morpheus8, which combines microneedling with radiofrequency for deep skin tightening and rejuvenation; pulsed light therapy (IPL), which targets pigmentation and vascular lesions; and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) – a newer and more powerful development of PRP, also known as the Vampire treatment, favoured by celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Gisele Bündchen, and Kylie Jenner.