Ageless beauty: The best skincare trends for 2025
Your guide to smarter, healthier skin solutions + This week's Substack must-reads
Midweek Midstings | Stuff GALs want to know
Smart, time-saving skincare solutions for 2025
Let’s talk skin — that glorious, ever-changing canvas of ours. It’s 2025, and the skincare world is practically buzzing with innovation and self-love. If you’re looking for what’s hot (or hydrating) this year, here’s your must-haves and to-dos:
1. Multi-tasking products are having a major moment
Why buy three serums when one does it all? Enter multi-tasking products that save time and (mental) space. Research supports that combining multiple active ingredients into one product can simplify routines without compromising efficacy. Think moisturizers with SPF, vitamin C serums with hyaluronic acid, and toners doubling as gentle exfoliants.
Our pick: Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 is a clean beauty favorite that hydrates, protects, and evens tone in one step.
2. Skin cycling is still the queen of routines
Not new, but definitely here to stay, skin cycling helps balance active ingredients without overwhelming your skin. The routine? Night one: (chemical) exfoliation. Night two: retinol. Nights three and four: repair (with hyaluronic acid serum, moisturizer, and/or oil). Repeat. Dermatologists swear by it for reducing irritation while boosting glow.
Our pick: Pair your recovery night with a ceramide-rich cream like CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream which is dermatologist-recommended and proven to restore the skin’s barrier.
3. Microbiome-friendly skincare is the new clean beauty
Turns out, your skin’s microbiome (the good bacteria) is kind of a big deal. And research shows that prebiotics can reduce inflammatory skin conditions like acne and rosacea. Brands are now creating products that protect and nurture this ecosystem, which helps with redness, irritation, and even breakouts.
Our pick: Gallinée’s Prebiotic Face Oil, packed with probiotics and omega fatty acids, supports skin health by balancing its microbiome.
4. LED masks are no longer sci-fi
Who needs a spa when you have an LED mask at home? Research supports masks’ effectiveness, showing significant improvements in acne and wrinkles with regular LED light use. Red light for collagen, blue for acne, and near-infrared for inflammation — these wearable gadgets are 2025’s skincare MVPs.
Our pick: A splurge-worthy option, Dr. Dennis Gross’ SpectraLite FaceWare Pro is enhanced with 160 LED lights, clinically tested, and FDA-approved.
5. Retinoids: the gold standard gets an upgrade
Prescription-strength results without the irritation? Yes, please. New-generation retinoids like adapalene and retinaldehyde are gentler but still effective, proven to boost collagen production and reduce wrinkles. Look for encapsulated formulas for a slow-release effect.
Our pick: Avene’s RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream combines retinaldehyde and vitamin E for gentle “anti-aging” benefits. …
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