By Kirsty Doolan
Mintel’s 2026 global beauty trends forecast a shift towards wellness diagnostics, emotionally resonant experiences, and a celebration of imperfection. We explore what this means for the future of beauty.
Key takeaways
. According to Mintel, beauty products will evolve into diagnostic tools, reflecting inner health and merging with wellness tech.
· Emotional wellness will drive sensory-first product design, with immersive experiences becoming central to beauty routines.
. Consumers will favour authenticity over perfection, embracing flawed, expressive, and emotionally rich beauty narratives.
The market intelligence firm Mintel has today unveiled its annual global beauty trends report, and according to the business, consumers in the coming years will expect serums and supplements to double as wellness diagnostics. Simultaneously, the beauty experience will evolve from delivering visible results to regulating mood and evoking emotion, while imperfection will become the new ideal. Here we break down each trend and speak to Mintel’s Director of
Beauty & Personal Care Insights, Andrew McDougall, to find out what this means for beauty and personal care brands.
