5 Trending Skincare Ingredients that'll be Everywhere in 2023

Skincare trends come and go. But what about skincare ingredients? Some get their five minutes of fame on TikTok but then disappear, never to be spoken about again. Others stick around, with some even becoming household names — like retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and glycolic acid.

In 2023, we can expect to hear more from those powerhouse active ingredients — but we should also get ready to see a few new names on the horizon.

Ready to find out what skincare ingredients are gonna be hot in the coming year? Read on!

#1: Niacinamide

Niacinamide is popping up on social media and in beauty stores. The #Niacinamide hashtag on TikTok has been viewed billions of times, with even the likes of celebrities speaking out about the magical abilities of this skincare ingredient.

If you didn’t know, niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and it offers plenty of restorative perks for the skin. For starters, it improves skin tone and diminishes dark spots due to its ability to block the enzyme responsible for producing pigmentation. Secondly, it can help reduce excess sebum production to prevent breakouts. Thirdly, its powerful antioxidant properties mean it can fight premature signs of aging (think fine lines and wrinkles). And alongside all of this, niacinamide boosts skin hydration for plumper, dewier skin.

You’ll find niacinamide in a range of beauty products, including cleansers, serums, lotions, and face masks. And we’re sure we’ll see many new products formulated with niacinamide in the new year. It’s certainly an ingredient that’s getting people excited!

Shop Niacinamide: Rainbow’s Smooth Body Serum

#2: Ceramides

Ceramides have been hot for a while now, but in 2023, they’re going to be FLAMING hot. Expect to see more beauty brands and retailers selling ceramide formulations. It’s the beauty industry’s hottest new ingredient.

Naturally found in the outermost layer of the skin, ceramides are lipids that form a part of the skin barrier. As a matter of fact, they make up over 50 percent of the skin’s oil composition.

According to dermatologists, ceramides function as a natural moisturizer and prevent the loss of moisture, keeping skin smooth, fresh, and healthy. They can also aid in soothing the skin and quelling inflammation. Without a doubt, they’re well deserving of a place in your skincare routine. Even more so if you have a skin condition, like eczema.

“We know that ceramides are a missing component in people that have eczema, or clinically dry skin,” says New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Morgan Rabach. “Putting on moisturizer with ceramides greatly helps restore the outer layer of the skin.”

You’ll find ceramides most commonly in skincare products such as serums, creams, and lotions.

#3: Mandelic Acid

For such a long time, glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid have dominated the chemical exfoliation scene. These hydroxy acids work by dissolving dead skin cells and gunk, revealing fresher, brighter, and smoother skin. The newest AHA on the scene: mandelic acid!

Derived from bitter almonds, this alpha hydroxy acid has one of the largest particle sizes, enabling it to absorb more slowly, deeply, and uniformly into the skin. Unlike its fellow AHAs, mandelic acid stays on the skin’s surface for longer, meaning it is less likely to cause irritation — even for those with sensitive skin.

According to the derms, mandelic acid is one of the best AHAs for reducing pore size and combatting acne.

"Acneic skin can get impacted and clogged, making this a good choice for clearing skin debris and smoothing the complexion," says dermatologist Eva Simmons-O'Brien. "Mandelic acid has shown some benefits for brightening the skin as well, so it can help support a regimen to clear photodamage."

#4: Bakuchiol

Retinol has long been a favorite of beauty lovers all over the world with skincare brands harnessing its anti-aging benefits in their topical formulas. That said, the derms believe bakuchiol will rise in popularity next year as people search for something gentler than the often irritating vitamin A derivative.

“Retinol alternatives like bakuchiol have been also trending recently,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist. “Bakuchiol is excellent because it provides anti-aging and firming benefits for the skin without many of the unwanted effects of retinol, such as purging, redness, and irritation.”

Just like retinol, bakuchiol boosts collagen and elastin production while spurring cellular turnover to improve texture and firmness. This plant-based natural ingredient is super gentle, and won’t leave you red, dry, or flaky. YAY!

Shop Bakuchiol: Rainbow’s Glow Mask

#5: Hyaluronic Acid

Derms, estheticians, and makeup artists all love hyaluronic acid! As do we!

Skin needs plenty of moisture in order to thrive, and there’s no better source for locking in moisture than hyaluronic acid. Over the years, we’ve seen many beauty trends involving hyaluronic acid, with it even popping up in other areas of the cosmetic industry such as hair care and makeup. It seems like the active ingredient will remain in the spotlight throughout 2023.

Hyaluronic acid is a powerhouse humectant that works by drawing moisture into the skin. It’s best paired with an emollient such as plant oils, shea butter, or cocoa butter in order to keep skin moisturized for hours on end.

Besides drenching skin in long-lasting hydration, HA supports collagen production — manifesting youthful, line-free skin. You’ll typically find it in serums, masks, and creams.

Shop Hyaluronic Acid: Rainbow’s Hydrate Serum

And there you have it, the trending skincare ingredients set to be burning hot in 2023. Most of them are already popular, but the experts say they’ll only get hotter into the new year. The derms also predict peptides and probiotics will pop up in skincare throughout next year. We honestly can’t wait to see what’s in store! Literally!

We also want to emphasize that while it may be the winter, you still should be slathering on the SPF every single day, regardless of the weather. Daily sunscreen application is a must for keeping skin smooth, firm, and glowing.