Hybrid, high-tech and high-performance: 5 beauty trends shaping SS26

The line between skincare and makeup is blurring. Consumers are no longer content with products that simply look good - they want formulas that perform for their skin too.

From hybrid makeup to advanced serums and SPF innovations, Loofantastic’s new SS26 report reveals the trends driving this skin-first approach to beauty.

Skincare-makeup hybrids

While the "clean girl" aesthetic may be evolving, the report suggests the skin-first mindset is here to stay - driving the rise of the "skiniification" of makeup.

Consumers are gravitating toward products that enhance their natural beauty while actively improving skin health. Brands are responding by reformulating staples and creating versatile hybrids that work as both skincare and makeup.

Products like BB and CC creams are leading this charge, offering a "your skin but better" finish that’s becoming a daily essential. It comes as searches for "Korean BB creams" are up 100%, "Eborian CC creams" are up 50%, and "Kylie skin tint" have skyrocketed 450% online at Lookfantastic.

Korean skincare goes mainstream

K-beauty has matured from a fleeting trend into a driving force in global skincare. In 2025, Lookfantastic sold nearly one million units of Korean skincare, with brands like Laneige, Biodance, Anua and Medacube leading the growth.

Revenue for the category surged 174% year-on-year in 2025, highlighting consumer appetite for standout ingredients, visible results, and accessible price points as it carries into spring/summer 2026.

From masks and serums to suncare and complete kits, K-beauty continues to deliver innovation with a strong focus on efficacy.

"A K-beauty trend may gain attention, but unlike fleeting viral moments, it earns lasting consumer loyalty through proven efficacy," says Lauren Starkey, Senior Buying Manager. "The products may go viral, but their performance is what sets them apart. It's the results that keep us coming back."

Professional-grade skincare at home

The at-home beauty tech market continues to expand rapidly. LED masks, in particular, saw a 96.7% increase in sales in 2025.

It comes as consumers are increasingly seeking professional-grade results without salon visits, driving demand for tools that combine convenience, efficacy, and personalised experiences.

Innovation in this space is also accelerating, with more portable designs and deeper-penetrating treatments expected to make high-tech skincare even more accessible in every home.

Advanced ingredients, visible results

The report also suggests consumers are increasingly knowledgeable about actives and advanced skincare ingredients. In 2025, peptides (+79%), retinol (+49.6%), and niacinamide (+33.7%) were among the fastest-growing ingredients, signalling a shift toward targeted, high-performance formulas.

These are expected to continue trending, as next-generation complexes that combine firming, barrier support, and brightening in a single serum are on the rise.

Lillie Ellis, Buying Director, predicts growing excitement around sophisticated pairings like PRN with hyaluronic acid and advanced peptide blends. "Beauty lovers are prioritising clinically effective, multitasking serums that deliver visible results without sacrificing skin comfort," she notes.

Reimagining sun protection

Sun protection is dominating skincare, with searches for sun damage concerns up 66.6% from 2024.

Meanwhile, monthly search volumes for terms like “sun cream” and “sunscreen” currently exceed 20,000, with forecasts indicating explosive growth of 39.42% and 20.99%, respectively.

Emerging formats like powders (+50.1%) and sticks (+22.42%) are redefining how consumers protect their skin, combining convenience, efficacy, and style. Plus,  Korean SPF products are showing strong growth, with predicted trajectories pointing even higher.