2021 has officially begun, and before it switches to the second gear, we are calling out some of the early trends in skincare so that you are better prepared for it. In this list, we discuss the top five skincare ingredients that will be trending, in at least the first quarter of the year, so that you can go ahead and stock them up. From anti-ageing darlings to skin-soothing staples that you may already be familiar with, here are five ingredients that everybody will be obsessed in the new year...
01. Algae

Marine extracts, among which algae is a key component, have gotten huge in 2020. This is because of their effectiveness in protecting your skin from photodamage, UV damage and blue light exposure. With multiple hours of our days spent in front of electronics, this blue light blocker will be on top of everybody’s shopping list in 2021.
BB picks: Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF 30
02. Oatmeal

2020 was a stressful year, prompting everyone to look for solutions to minimise its effects on the skin. Stress triggers inflammation in the skin, which needs soothing and calming ingredients to help deal with. Which is why colloidal oatmeal is leading the charge with its anti-inflammatory and ultra-moisturising properties. From lotions to body washes, this ingredient is available in every skincare product you can think of. So stock up!
BB picks: St. Ives Soothing Oatmeal & Shea Butter Body Wash
03. Antibacterial formulas

In the wake of the pandemic, there is a renewed interest in hygiene and safety in skincare. Whether you are reaching for your trusty neem or relying on trendy innovations like squalene, be sure to pick up products that not only nourish the skin but provide antibacterial benefits as well.
BB picks: Vaseline Anti-Bacterial Hand Cream
04. Hyaluronic acid

With wearing protective face masks becoming a norm, people are leaning more towards ingredients that strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier. While ceramides are known to be ideal for that, your trusty hydrating hero hyaluronic acid is no less. It helps replenish your skin’s moisture content, keeping it looking dewy, feeling supple, and protected from external aggressors at the same time.
BB picks: Lakmé Absolute Hydra Pro Gel Crème
05. Bakuchiol

No shade intended, but retinol is so 2019! The gentler, plant-derived alternative to retinol, bakuchiol was only a thing of curiosity at the start of 2020. But this ingredient, which finds its origins in Chinese and Ayurvedic skincare practices, has taken over the obsession people had with retinol. Bakuchiol is known for its collagen-boosting and anti-ageing properties and does not irritate even the most sensitive skin types!
Written by Sumona Bose on 11th Jan 2021
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!