When it comes to skin care ingredients, clients are asking more and more questions that contain the latest buzzwords, like vegan, natural, organic, and zero-irritation. This interest is a sign that conscious consumerism and clean beauty are impacting the industry in a big way. In fact, according to Statista, an international data tracker, the global natural and organic beauty market is expected to reach $22 billion by 2024, almost double its value in 2016, with skin care holding the largest share of the market.1  

Narrowing the focus onto the United States, according to a 2021 survey, about 46% of participants belonging to Generation Z and 45% of Millennials were interested in trying clean beauty products, or products that do not contain toxins or toxic ingredients.2  

Now is the ideal time to become more aware of lesser-known, innovative, and effective ingredients for clients who want alternatives that are not mainstream or the norm. These under-the-radar choices can put a special spin on determining which products are most beneficial for exfoliating, hydrating, brightening, fighting blemishes, targeting signs of aging, and more. 

Founder and CEO of Le Mieux Cosmetics and PurErb Herbology-based Skincare & Aromatherapy, Janel Luu has over 35 years of experience in the beauty industry as an educator, researcher, and formulator. She has taught over 37,000 skin care professionals and physicians on topics ranging from antiaging cellular technology to centuries-old Meridian techniques.