By Traci Cassell • May 7, 2020

As we touched on in our earlier post, today’s beauty consumers are smarter than ever before. Thanks to unprecedented access to education and the abundance of advanced skincare products available, they are likely to hold in-depth knowledge about their own skin type, to be able to decipher skincare ingredients, and to understand what ingredients will best address their specific needs and beauty goals. Discerning buyers want high-quality products that are clinically tested and backed by science.

Beauty devices are pieces of technology designed to amplify the results of skincare formulations. Whether a consumer wants to define cheekbones, reduce visible wrinkles, or tackle a frustrating skincare problem like acne or rosacea, there is a beauty device for that need.

Devices usually work in tandem with advanced formulations to improve total skin care efficacy. This type of advanced personalized, customized skincare is exactly what highly educated consumers want. 

Thanks to the explosive interest in skincare, high quality, high performing devices that solve specific skincare issues are more coveted than ever before. In fact, experts predict the global beauty device market will surpass $34 billion USD by 2024.

The recent spike in interest in beauty tech is linked directly to the rise of smarter, more efficacious formulations. As consumers have come to expect the highest quality skincare products, they now also want the most advanced devices possible to amplify results. For formulators, this energy creates an excellent opportunity for innovation.

Smarter devices need the powers of smarter formulations for synergy, better delivery, and more results. Together, devices and formulations can boost the performance for each other. This is the reason devices and skincare products are frequently sold together.

Smart cosmetic devices are transforming beauty on-the-go and at-home treatments. Moving from a washcloth to a skincare device may sound like a big leap, but devices are effective, fun to use, and when paired with the right product, they can deliver on results-oriented expectations. 

Whatever the skin condition, there’s a device for it.

Three categories of beauty devices utilize advanced science to provide targeted results: non-surgical facelifts, LED therapy devices, and blue light devices for acne.

Non-surgical facelifts 

At the forefront of the anti-aging movement, non-surgical facelifts have harnessed the powers of scientific research to tone skin without the invasiveness of plastic surgery.

Non-surgical facelifts are designed to rejuvenate the skin and create a younger, tighter appearance. There is a wide choice of non-surgical facelift tools, but perhaps the most popular is the microcurrent device. 

Microcurrent devices use extremely low voltage electrical currents to spur collagen production and tone the muscles, which improves skin elasticity, firmness, and plumpness.  At the forefront of the anti-aging movement, non-surgical face lifts have harnessed the powers of scientific research to tone skin, without the invasiveness of plastic surgery.

LED therapy devices

Another exciting development within the beauty tech world is the democratization of light therapy. Long practiced by dermatologists and skincare professionals, LED, or light-emitting diode, therapy devices work by emitting infrared light, of different wavelengths and spectrums, deep into the epidermis to activate intracellular reactions.

The skin most responds to red light therapy by rebuilding and strengthening the cellular structure and reducing inflammation. LED devices are consistently ranked by experts as one of the easiest, fastest ways to see rapid improvement to the skin. Their at-home use has been heralded by consumers.

Blue light devices for acne

Dermatologists have long used blue light therapy to combat acne and breakouts. With recent advancements in technology, blue light therapy devices are available nearly everywhere skincare products are sold. Blue light therapy devices come in a variety of formats, from facial masks to wands. Due to the shorter wavelength of blue light, these devices can be especially effective at destroying acne-causing bacteria on the skin’s surface. 

A recent study on the effectiveness of blue light devices, published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology concluded, “The blue light treatment is effective and well tolerated, offering rapid, gentle, and convenient treatment of inflammatory acne. The blue light device offers a valuable alternative to antibiotics and potentially irritating topical treatments and can also be used adjunctively to complement other therapies.” 

For consumers, acne is one of the frustrating and embarrassing skin conditions to solve. But, with the advancements of blue light therapy devices, formulators have a unique opportunity to provide innovative solutions with partner pairings of acne-fighting products and devices.

While some conditions still require an in-office visit to the dermatologist or esthetician for their expertise, new advancements in beauty technology and science have propelled the growth of at-home beauty treatments, offering cutting-edge device options combined with innovative cosmetic products for visible and proven results.

As demonstrated by the wide variety of beauty devices, the future of skincare is high tech.

Personalization and customization 

One of the biggest trends that is engaging beauty consumers is personalization and customization. From artificial intelligence (AI) to skin scanning devices to skin care apps, brands are using new technology and science to personalize products and services. While consumers are consistently seeking advanced and high-performing cosmetic products, the beauty companies are trying to deliver with enhanced customer experience, connection, and knowledge by using emerging technology. They’re collecting data about consumer preferences and needs through this digital transformation. 

Moving beyond the beauty devices, the high-tech future of skincare is clearly the advent of skincare apps. These intelligent applications help identify skin issues, track the progress and improvement of skin health and appearance, highlighting any decline in results. 

To deliver the intel that savvy consumers want, skincare apps utilize advanced research for consistent monitoring and analysis of the skin. With day-to-day tracking of the skin’s pH, moisture levels, pigmentation, texture, and oiliness, the apps can make the best recommendations for skin care products and routine based on the information captured.  

As beauty devices become smarter and incorporate the data of skincare apps into their operations, the functioning of smart skincare ingredients will be able to operate at peak performance. 

This kind of information can help consumers change their skincare products and routine daily, to select the best possible choices for the moment. As beauty devices become smarter and incorporate the data of skincare aps into their operations, the functioning of smart skincare ingredients will be able to operate at peak performance. 

COVID-19 and beauty devices

There is one more way in which the science of beauty is providing innovative consumer experiences. As consumers shelter in place due to the coronavirus, beauty devices can help recreate in-office experiences from the comfort of home. With millions of consumers planning a “glow-up” for their skin post-quarantine, the advanced technology of science-backed smart formulations and smart devices will provide welcome respite, and even more welcomed results.

The future of beauty technology

Smart skincare ingredients, smart devices, and advanced apps for skincare are the winning trifecta of scientific and technological advancement in the industry. The beauty industry is already one of the fastest-growing categories in the consumer goods industry; brands must compete for the skintellectual’s attention and loyalty.

Formulas are targeted to address specific skin conditions and can work more effectively in lower doses delivering on key consumer demands for a less is more “skinimalist” approach. Advanced ingredient technology, together with the science of active ingredient delivery systems, smart devices, and beauty apps are helping revolutionize the beauty industry, allowing for the development of smarter beauty solutions that the shopper desires and now expects. 

As the educated consumer’s interest in skincare, hair care, and body care continues to flourish and evolve, science and technology will remain the vital element for innovation. Ingredient suppliers, formulators, and product development teams need to embrace the importance of science in beauty in order to provide new solutions to customer demands and meet their ever-growing expectations.