Mintel, a global leader in market intelligence, has revealed three key predictions set to impact the global beauty and personal care (BPC) industry in 2026 and beyond.   

By 2030, beauty will go beyond skin-deep—consumers will expect serums and supplements to double as wellness diagnostics. At the same time, the beauty experience will shift from simply delivering results to regulating mood and evoking emotion, while imperfection will be the new perfection.  

The Mintel 2026 Global Beauty and Personal Care Predictions are:  

  • Metabolic Beauty: Beauty is entering a new phase where health, technology and personalization converge.  
  • Sensorial Synergy: The heightened need for emotional wellness makes this the perfect moment for beauty’s sensory evolution. 
  • Beyond the Algorithm: The Human Touch Revolution: Consumers will seek beauty that feels human, expressive, emotionally real and even flawed. 

KinShen Chan, Mintel’s Associate Director, Beauty and Personal Care, APAC, had this to say about what brands can expect from shifting consumer behaviours:

Metabolic Beauty 

“The beauty industry has long played in the space where health and aesthetics overlap; but until recently, this connection was framed more as a marketing story than a scientific reality. While wellness culture and the concept of prevention have been around for some time, what’s new is the focus on cellular health and the integration of advanced technology.   

“2026 will be the tipping point for merging beauty and health, driven by consumers’ focus on holistic wellness, with 61% of Chinese women who say that using facial masks would improve both skin conditions and mood. Advances in biomarker testing, metabolic monitoring, and bio-intelligent tech are reaching mainstream accessibility, enabling tailored solutions for energy, hydration, and cellular repair. This convergence of innovation and demand makes this year pivotal for wellness-driven beauty. 

“By 2030, skin and hair will be recognized as the body’s most accessible biomarker. Beauty brands will compete with health and wellness providers as trusted gatekeepers of preventative care, with 78% of Indian female consumers who say that they like to be amongst the first to try new technologies, according to Mintel research. There is a growing opportunity for beauty brands to integrate and leverage metadata from health and biomarker insights to establish correlations with skin conditions, enabling data-driven product recommendations and personalized skincare solutions.

Sensorial Synergy 

“Beauty has always been multisensory—the fragrance of a lotion, the texture of a cream, the sparkle of color cosmetics—but framed as secondary to efficacy. Now, beauty is becoming less about outcomes, more experience-first, with sensory stimulation the primary driver of purchase.  

“The heightened need for emotional wellness makes 2026 the perfect moment for beauty’s sensory evolution. Breakthroughs in functional fragrances, neuroscience, and immersive technologies like VR are ready to transform daily routines into rich, multi-sensory experiences. The growing consumer emphasis on self-care rituals, from Japan’s bathing traditions to tea ceremonies in China and Korea, presents a strong opportunity for brands to innovate and expand within culturally rooted wellness practices. 

“By 2030, beauty will be judged not just on results, but on its ability to regulate emotions and create memorable experiences. Sensory-first design will extend into travel, hospitality, and interiors, with products positioned as daily mood tools. Brands that thrive will shift from clinical efficacy to experiential storytelling.” 

Beyond the Algorithm: The Human Touch Revolution 

“The last decade has been defined by algorithmic perfection, with filters, AI content, and hyper-polished marketing.  Imperfection and artistry create unparalleled emotional resonance, driving a new form of authenticity in beauty. 

“The shine is wearing off algorithmic perfection and consumer fatigue is setting in. Consumers are turning toward beauty that feels human, expressive, emotionally real and even flawed, with 63% of Indonesian female consumers who say that they are concerned about their reliance on technology to communicate. Importantly, this human touch revolution isn’t anti-technology, but rather a recalibration. One that celebrates human creativity as the ultimate luxury, while tapping into technology to enhance, not overshadow, the personal and authentic aspects of beauty. 

“Winners will embed authenticity into process and product, as well as messaging. Brands that thrive will be those that showcase their makers, processes, and flaws as proof of authenticity. By 2030, the most valued beauty experiences will be those that feel unmistakably human, emotionally resonant, creatively rich and impossible to fake.” 

Check out Mintel’s 2026 Global Predictions here.

Read issue 85 of Retail Beauty below:

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