Widely celebrated for her expertise in neurotoxins, injectable fillers and laser medicine, Dr. Dendy Engelman provides a wide range of treatments including general dermatology, Mohs micrographic surgery and skin cancer treatment. Her expertise has been featured in national magazines and publications, and she has numerous media appearances regarding her pioneering work in dermatology.  
 
She took time to chat with Happi about the latest and greatest skincare trends to look out for this year.
 
Happi: What are skincare consumers looking for in their serums, creams and oils for the face right now and why?
 
DE: Time-consuming, many-step skincare routines are out in 2023. Now, people are favoring multi-tasking products that deliver many benefits to the skin barrier in one step—for example, night creams that hydrate, repair and provide anti-aging benefits; and serums that protect, hydrate and refine the skin.
 
Not only do multi-tasking products save time, they are also more wallet-friendly. People can spend money on fewer products, or splurge a little on one highly efficacious multi-tasking product rather than buying three different formulas to accomplish the same results. The increasing popularity of multi-tasking products mirrors the general trend toward minimalism in skincare that I have been noticing this year.
 
Retinol alternatives, like bakuchiol, are popular now. Similar to retinol, they are an excellent way to help prevent signs of aging and support a better-functioning skin barrier, but they bypass the risk of irritation that true retinol poses. I have been seeing retinol alternatives in a lot of serums and moisturizers.
 
Antioxidants, ceramides and niacinamide remain very popular in facial skincare—for good reason! These are tried-and-proven ingredients that we know make a significant difference in skin’s appearance and function, both in the short and long term. 
 
Happi: What skincare trends will dominate 2024 and beyond?
 
DE: Minimalism in skincare, known as skinimalism, is gaining in popularity, and I believe it’s here to stay. Consumers are realizing that it is more efficient and cost-effective to use a few high-quality, multi-tasking products as opposed to spending a lot of time on their skincare routine, using many different products. 
 
I’m hearing a lot about spray-on skincare. Different brands are incorporating air into their product delivery systems in different ways, and consumers seem to enjoy the convenience of this application method.
 
A flawless yet natural-looking complexion is also very desirable this year. Highly contoured or “overdone” complexions are becoming less popular, and instead the public is favoring products that gently blur imperfections while providing a more natural-looking finish. The “cloud skin” trend—blurred, matte, glowing-from-within skin—is an example of this.
 
Happi: Tell us about psychodermatology.
 
DE: Psychodermatology is another trend this year. Psychodermatology refers to the effect that the mind and mental health has on our skin. A common example of this is how stress can negatively impact the skin and body, causing inflammation, acne breakouts, hair loss and even more serious conditions. As society continues to learn more about the mind-body connection, I predict that psychodermatology will become increasingly present in beauty discourse and in our skincare and cosmetic products.