Study explores social media’s growing influence on cosmeceutical trends
UC cosmetic science expert comments on published research to Cosmetics Design USA
The University of Cincinnati's Kelly Dobos spoke with Cosmetics Design USA about new research that revealed a significant rise in consumer interest in cosmeceuticals, or cosmetic products with active ingredients purported to have medical benefits.
The research was published by Thomas Jefferson University researchers in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology and used Google Trends data from 2004 to 2023 in addition to TikTok analytics to map out shifting preferences in popular skin care ingredients.
Search interest in cosmeceuticals continues to increase, researchers found, with retinol being the most searched for and talked about ingredient on social platforms. The findings demonstrate the rising influence of social media platforms on leading or developing skin care conversations.
"Awareness of skin care trends and growth in cosmeceutical interest empower dermatologists to anticipate patient inquiries and develop targeted education on product efficacy, cost effectiveness, and potential adverse reactions," the authors said in the study.
Dobos was not involved in the study and said the findings provide both opportunities and challenges for manufacturers.
"While social media and search engines offer invaluable insights into consumer interests, they also amplify misinformation and hype," said Dobos, a cosmetic chemist and adjunct instructor in UC's Cosmetic Science Program in the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy. "Manufacturers must balance agility with responsibility — leveraging digital trend data to inform product development, but always grounding their offerings and communications in robust scientific evidence and transparent education."
Read the Cosmetics Design USA article.
Featured photo at top of makeup and brushes. Photo/July Ko/iStock.
Related Stories
Pharmacy Times: How AI, machine learning can benefit pharmaceutical development, research
March 25, 2024
Pharmacy Times highlighted a presentation from the University of Cincinnati's Shawn Xiong discussing the potential for artificial intelligence and machine learning to bolster pharmaceutical development and research.
Washington Post: What you need to know about the dry shampoo recall
October 26, 2022
The University of Cincinnati's Kelly Dobos was featured in a Washington Post article about the recent recall of more than a dozen dry shampoos due to the possibility they contain “elevated levels” of benzene.
Cosmetics Design Asia: Innovations will help validate industry claims
November 15, 2022
The University of Cincinnati's Randall Wickett spoke with Cosmetics Design Asia about the importance of cosmetics industries being able to verify claims about their products and new technology that will allow the industry to do so.