Over the past two years, there have been many skincare trends due to the pandemic.

In 2020, people were at home much more and skincare became one of the main forms of self-care. We dropped the number of cosmetics used in our routine and added more skincare steps.

This adaption to our routines seems to have become permanent and the need for skincare has stayed consistent through 2021.

When it comes to trends and skincare, the two don’t always go hand in hand. As an effective routine that includes products that make a difference to your skin is personal, it’s important to cultivate a routine that works for you and your skin rather than follow trends (especially those on social media).

With that said, Emirates Woman sought professional advice from Dr. Fazeela Abbasi from Euromed Clinic Center Dubai to discuss the products, gadgets and treatments she expects to be popular in 2022.

An experienced DHA licensed dermatologist, with a doctorate in medicine and a pioneer in the use of advanced laser treatment in Pakistan. Dr Fazeela’s anti-ageing treatments are revolutionary and is the most in-demand doctor for her Botox and filler procedures; DFA Signature Liquid Face Sculpting.

What are the top skincare trends you expect in 2022?

The skincare trends of 2022 will follow a “less is more” approach, with people embracing gentler ingredients and fewer products in their routines. I hope there will be a wider movement towards clean beauty, with ethically made products. People are starting to embrace gentler ingredients and chemical-free products in their routines. This entails opting to repair and nourish the skin barrier.

What should be the goal for our skin in 2022?

This next year is all about skin rehabilitation. We have all experienced the effects of mask-wearing and what it has done to our skin barrier. Products that address this will continue to be on the rise; look for products with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, physiological lipids, peptides, and organic essential oils to help heal a compromised skin barrier.

What product do you expect to become a staple in skincare routines?

SPF will remain of utmost importance, but in 2022, sun care formulas will come with a bonus benefit: blue light protection. Our greatest exposure to blue light is from the sun, but people are spending more time in front of screens and digital devices which also emits blue light. With a growing concern around the effects of blue light on the skin, such as premature ageing and hyperpigmentation, we can predict to see an increase in products tailoring to this.

What concerns have you noticed over the last year and what advice would you give to target them?

Clients are coming more inflamed and irritated with thinning skin due to their overly aggressive routines of layering actives like vitamin C, retinol, and glycolic acid. They have been doing way too much, and it’s taking a toll on their skin. My take is to use only the bare necessities, i.e., a cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and SPF. Most importantly to pick formulas based on your skin’s particular needs.

What at-home skincare treatments do you expect from 2022?

At-home skincare treatments have been popular for a couple of years now, and they’re a trend that will only increase from here. More and more clients are experimenting with at-home, handheld devices like the Ranavat Kansa wand and facial rollers. People have become savvier about the benefits of facial massage, so they’re continually turning to these beauty tools to upgrade their skincare routines. Facial massage increases the circulation in the skin and helps provide a sculpted look in a natural way.

Retinol has been the buzzword for this year, are there any ingredients you see becoming a trend next year?

Retinol is the technical name for vitamin A, an ingredient that promotes skin renewal and enhances collagen production. Retinol products are super potent and can sometimes be a bit too intense for very sensitive skin types. A more natural substitute is bakuchiol. This natural, plant-derived compound is popping up everywhere. It was discovered as a clinically proven alternative to retinol in 2014 but has long been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.

What would be your alternative to ‘aggressive’ products?

The latest wave of skincare brands are focused more on nurturing the skin’s barrier, maintaining a healthy, diverse microbiome (the good bacteria that live on your skin and keep it healthy and happy) and aligning more with self-care. I see ‘micro-dosing’ as a trend in 2022 for using small amounts of potent ingredients like retinol and exfoliating acids to prevent irritation & to increase the use of skin barrier repair & hydrating ingredients.

Gua Shua is something a lot of us have introduced to our routines this year. Are there any skincare gadgets you think will become popular in 2022?

The Gua sha facial tool and quartz rollers have specifically skyrocketed in demand. They’re being used to reduce puffiness. Yet there are new gadgets like Vibration, Microcurrent & LED handheld devices to strengthen and smooth the skin and to help stimulate collagen and to facilitate lymphatic drainage.

Finally, what are the top 5 treatments you expect to be popular in 2022?

  1. ED – Low level light-emitting diode therapy

This procedure makes use of clinically tested and proven wavelengths of ultra-violet-free LED lights.

  1. Radiofrequency – non-invasive skin tightening

The procedure is non-surgical and therefore the recovery time and risks are reduced to a minimum. Radio-frequency energy flows into the deep layers of the skin and the subcutaneous layer causing the tightening of the skin structure and an increase in collagen production.

  1. Ultrasound – nonsurgical face and neck lift

This treatment makes use of high-frequency sound waves to penetrate the skin & reach up to the level of SMAS muscle layer causing not only skin tightening but also muscle lifting.

  1. Photorejuvenation (IPL) – UV light treatment

A treatment that uses lasers or ‘intense pulsed light’ to treat various skin conditions. The treatment aims to reverse skin concerns that are caused by photoaging such as sunspots, pigmentation, wrinkles, and other issues regarding the texture of the skin.

  1. Cryotherapy facial – ‘frotox’

Also known as freezing your face, cryo brightens skin, tightens pores, and reduces the appearance of fine lines.

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