The Top 5 Dermatology Trends for 2025 

November 2024

The Top 5 Dermatology Trends for 2025 

What the New Year Will Bring for Skincare and Medical Aesthetics 

Caring for our skin will never go out of style, but each year brings new trends in dermatology and skin care due to the rapidly changing advancements in cutting-edge treatments and ever-shifting consumer preferences.  

Looking ahead to 2025, there are numerous trends that will shape the dermatology landscape, including a greater focus on skin protection, rejuvenation, and striking a balance between technology and simplicity.  

Here is a roundup of the top 5 dermatology trends we’re expecting to see in the new year.  

1. SPF is our BFF 

Protecting your skin from the sun with an SPF sunscreen of at least 30 is becoming – dare we say – a cool thing to do. Cancer diagnoses and deaths affect more individuals each year, and high-profile individuals like beloved singer Jimmy Buffett who passed from Merkel Cell Carcinoma, and Khloe Kardashian, who was diagnosed with melanoma, help raise greater awareness around skin cancer and the dangers of long-term exposure to UV rays. Coupled with the known link between sun damage and premature aging, the conversation around sunscreen has drastically shifted – consumers aren’t just thinking about sunscreen as a product reserved for summer beach days, but something that should be part of their morning skincare routine for all-day sun protection, even in colder months. 

Brands are helping promote sunscreen as a year-round product with more practical options that combine UV protection with other skincare benefits, such as hydration or antioxidants, so it can be used as a daily product. And many brands have also improved the “tackiness” of their products, with more lightweight formulas to eliminate the stickiness or waxiness that can sometimes deter use. It’s easier than ever for consumers to find safe, effective products for themselves and their whole family. Some of our favorite products are Alastin’s HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen and Revision Skincare’s Intellishade®.  

2. Regenerative Treatments for Deep Cellular Rejuvenation 

Advancements in regenerative medicine are making waves in anti-aging treatments that go beyond the surface of the skin to target the cells within and reverse the signs of aging. There are a handful of regenerative skincare treatments we expect to see gain more popularity in 2025: 

• Stem cell procedures: Minimally invasive injections that use a patient’s own stem cells to rejuvenate the skin.  

• Platelet-rich plasma injections: Minimally invasive treatments that inject a patient’s own blood into their skin to help heal injuries or improve tissue function.  

• Peptides: Many skincare products tout peptides as a key ingredient, as these amino acids are the building blocks of skin-rejuvenating proteins like collagen and elastin. We expect to see peptides become even more popular in the new year. 

• Exosome treatments: This relatively new, non-invasive medical treatment uses exosomes, which are tiny particles secreted by cells, to treat a variety of conditions, including the signs of aging skin. Exosomes are applied topically, typically followed by cosmetic treatments such as microneedling. 

• Growth factors: A growing number of skincare products include growth factors, proteins your skin already produces to stimulate collagen and elastin, but that decrease with age. Applying additional growth factors can support skin rejuvenation. 

3. Nutraceuticals: Vitamins for Skin and Hair Health 

Consumers are recognizing the power of nutrition in whole-body health, especially concerning complexion. Targeted supplements often include ingredients like biotin, vitamins C and E, collagen, zinc, and antioxidants, which support skin and hair health at a cellular level, and one of the trends we’re expecting to see take stronger hold in 2025 is treating the skin from the inside out.  

Companies like NUTRAFOL are offering products containing ingredients said to improve skin and hair health and specifying their formulas for by concerns at different life stages: postpartum women, women over 45, men experiencing hair loss, menopausal women, and more. We recommend consulting with your dermatologist before starting a supplement to make sure it is the right choice for your individual needs. Additionally, there are risks to taking supplements, and they should also not take the place of daily nutrition from food sources that also carry significant benefits to the skin, hair, and nails.  

4. At-Home Skincare Devices 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw a surge in at-home skincare treatments, including LED facemasks, laser hair removal tools, and microcurrent devices, among others. While it made sense to be able to perform skincare from the comfort of your own home during the pandemic, the trend never dissipated, and we continue to see at-home skincare devices hitting the market.  

While convenient, there are risks to these DIY tools. Many of them promise a spa-like treatment with impressive results for minor skin concerns, but in the hands of everyday consumers, there are risks associated with improper use, such as burns or other skin irritations. Many of these products are expensive and results are not guaranteed.  

We recommend consulting with a dermatologist before using these more advanced treatments at home, especially if you have sensitive skin or a more complex condition that requires in-person consultation and treatment. We expect the debate about the convenience versus the risk of at-home skincare treatments and devices to continue in 2025 as these products are increasingly marketed to consumers.  

5. Minimalist Skincare 

As important as skincare is, many individuals simply don’t have time for an involved daily routine. Hence, the rise of streamlined skincare, also called “skin minimalism”. This approach, which we expect to gain even more popularity in the new year, is focused on simplifying skincare routines to use one or two products that serve multiple functions rather than numerous products that all serve different purposes.  

As discussed above, moisturizers now often also contain an SPF, antioxidants, and anti-aging ingredients all in one. Consumers not only want to cut back on the number of products they’re using but reduce the risk of using a product that can be irritating or ineffective. We anticipate this “maximum efficacy with minimal effort” trend to dominate skincare in 2025. 

Dermatology is always advancing and striking a balance between technology, efficacy, personalization, and simplification. Changing trends are important to pay attention to so we ensure all patients receive the best treatment for their individual needs and have access to the products that will work best for them.  

As we move closer to the new year, request an appointment and meet with a board-certified dermatologist to discuss your goals and start 2025 off on a skin-healthy note.