Although we haven’t quite wrapped up what’s left of 2023, it’s already time to start looking ahead at what might be in store for the coming year. In the world of sports, it’s often said that the best defense is a good offense, in this case that means getting out in front of what’s to come. Below is our list of trends that are likely to be buzzing in 2024 — and the time to get ahead is now.

The Culture of CareIt’s no secret that life in the post-pandemic world is quite a bit different than it was before — and living through that moment has led most of us to seriously reassess many aspects of our day-to-day lives. This shift in the collective conscience and the consequent reevaluation of priorities, especially related to how we view things like work-life balance and quality time with family and friends, makes this space more worth investing in than ever. Self-care, wellness, and rest enhancers will remain top priorities as people continue to wrestle back more life out of the work-life dichotomy. Products like the brush and dry shampoo from Crown Affair and anything from the Face Stone series from Kate McLeod fit the bill nicely.

The Skincare-ification of LaundryMuch like the self-care sector in general, skin care will experience a healthy expansion in 2024. Clean labels and eco-friendly ingredients will no longer be limited to traditional beauty and cosmetic products and will make their way into other parts of our lives— laundry, for example. The premium laundry space will be bubbling with opportunity as people seek to incorporate these principles into their routines in an effort to be gentler on their bodies as well as the planet. Functional fragrance brand DedCool is a perfect example and offers eco-friendly refillable laundry detergents, dryer sheets, and linen sprays.

Inclusivity + Democra-sizing While the concept of “one-size-fits-all” was once a welcome notion, it’s currently on its way out as consumers demand even more in the year to come. Democra-sizing is the new buzzword for both brands and consumers who strive for less of a cookie-cutter approach and more personalization and inclusivity. This trend is not limited to the clothing industry and will prove to be relevant in cosmetics and beauty as well as consumers gravitate toward more personalized experiences, especially those that are made easily accessible and affordable. Brands like Good Weird that offer genderless skincare products for a variety of skin tones are on the right track.

Eco-Elegance: Homegrown Ingredients We’re all familiar with the concept of farm-to-table in the restaurant industry—and this year in beauty, it’s time to think farm-to-fragrance. Backyard gardens and homegrown ingredients are trending right now and those tendencies are making their way into other areas. Vegetable fragrances in personal care items like shampoos, deodorants, and body scents are worth exploring to capitalize on the craze. Staying ahead of the curve, Flamingo Estate has worked herbs, spices, and veggie scents into a whole lineup of products including soap bricks, body washes, and candles that effectively scratch this consumer itch.

Oral Care Upgrades Another result of the pandemic and people’s re-prioritization of self-care in general has been a renewed focus on oral health. The same clean labels, eco-friendly ingredients, and sustainability that consumers look for in other personal care products, they are now looking for when taking care of their teeth and mouths. Australian brand ROCC Naturals crafts vitamin-enriched toothpastes made from natural ingredients and packages them in biodegradable tubes. And health industry pioneer Viome has created an Oral Health Intelligence Test that allows consumers to assess the health of their oral microbiome and provides guidance and additional products to help improve it. Oral care is definitely a trend worth brushing up on in 2024.

Tattoo AftercareThe times they are a-changin’. Now, Bob Dylan probably wasn’t referring to tattoo culture when he wrote that one, and tattoos are hardly anything new, but the sentiment rings true in this instance. Fueled partly by social media and helped along by Gen-Z’s proclivity for open mindedness and self expression, tattoos are perhaps more popular now than ever before. This renewed affinity has exposed an important gap in the world of tattoo culture: aftercare. Tattoo care products have traditionally been aimed at professionals, with limited offerings for at-home care for consumers. Brands like Mad Rabbit have stepped into this void to meet those needs. With a range of topical products made from natural ingredients, consumers have everything they need to refresh, replenish, and repair their treasured tattoos from the comfort of their own home. Getting into this emerging space could prove worthwhile in the year ahead.

As always, the key to capitalizing on current trends is to get ahead of them. If your brand serves consumers in any of the aforementioned areas, or you’re simply looking for a refresh going into 2024, don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know how we can help take those ideas from the drawing board to the big time.