News 27.12.2023

Need to Know

In 2023, the Beauty, Health & Wellness sectors ditched convention for radical approaches. Research investments were directed towards prolonging health and lifespans, while campaigns were dedicated to challenging visual and cultural norms.

The Trend: Longevity Lifestyles

AI imagery by The Future Laboratory, UK

In June, we released our annual macrotrend report on beauty, health and wellness, delving into the evolving notion of longevity – embracing the idea of extended and healthier lifespans.

Although immortality has often fuelled fantasy, the prospect of living longer, if not indefinitely, is now inching closer to reality thanks to advancing technologies and breakthroughs in science. But the most ground-breaking developments in longevity are not solely fixated on manipulating age. Rather, the primary emphasis is on enhancing the quality of life through practices related to beauty, health and wellness.

In our report, we spotlight reliable, accessible and nurturing longevity products and services emerging across various categories encompassing skincare, hospitality, healthcare, nutrition, cosmetics and fragrance. These offerings range from cell-regeneration supplements and anti-age-odouring fragrances to Six Senses’ longevity room service.

But advances in this domain are just beginning. Through sustained research and investment, innovations will develop, leading to subsequent transformations in demographics. Sign up to our Generations: Now and Next 2024–2025 webinar to learn more.

The Big Idea: Climate-adapted Beauty

Lands of Biome by Imprudence, France Lands of Biome by Imprudence, France

At Dutch Design Week 2023, French foresight and speculative design studio Imprudence unveiled a futuristic beauty line addressing Anthropocene climate threats. The line includes:

: Second Chance – A sprayable second skin adapting to external conditions for optimal protection during extreme events

: Caring Utopia – A spray dispersing microbial volatiles as anti-microbials, combatting antibiotic-resistant strains

: Lands of Biome – A diffuser or spray with extreme biome extract, fortifying immunity by enhancing the microbiome during pandemics

: Future Particles – A regenerative mascara releasing beneficial fungal spores with each blink, aiding honey bee workers and biodiversity

: Witchelium – A device cultivating personalised Reishi mushroom from human waste for holistic probiotics

The beauty line encourages industry players to explore breakthrough technologies, prompting consumers to reconsider beauty product composition beyond incremental sustainability.

The Campaign: Industrial 2.0 by Isamaya Beauty

Industrial 2.0 Campaign by Isamaya Beauty, UK

In 2023, Isamaya Beauty launched one of the most daring beauty campaigns to date, featuring a BDSM-inspired film starring Julia Fox.

A year after the brand’s inception, make-up artist Isamaya Ffrench enlisted actress Julia Fox and model Richie Shazam for a campaign that drew visual and cultural inspiration from BDSM subculture. The film showcases Fox suspended in a vacuum-pack seal while figures in latex suits approach, equipped with steel tools and an eyeshadow palette, applying make-up to her face.

Speaking to Dazed Beauty, Ffrench emphasised that the collection celebrates and empowers non-conformity, exploring individuality. Fox’s past experience as a dominatrix in the BDSM world, coupled with her affinity with the brand, made her an ideal fit for this distinctive campaign.

For more on how beauty brands are pushing the boundaries, read our Five Beauty and Wellness Brands Exploring Extremes report.

The Viewpoint: Augmenting Beauty with Generation Z

AI imagery by The Future Laboratory, UK AI imagery by The Future Laboratory, UK

As cosmetic treatments gain popularity and beauty undergoes a TikTok-inspired transformation, we investigate Generation Z’s perspectives on augmented cosmetics.

Gen Z are reshaping attitudes to both non-surgical ‘tweakments’ and surgical procedures, emphasising a preference for minimally invasive and preventative treatments.

According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery’s 2022 members’ survey, Gen Z are undergoing cosmetic procedures at unprecedented rates. Nearly 75% of facial plastic surgeons reported increased demand from patients under 30 for cosmetic surgery or injectables in 2022.

Across all age groups, the top three minimally invasive treatments include neurotoxins, fillers and topicals like chemical peels. Facelifts, blepharoplasties,and rhinoplasties are top of the list of surgical procedures, with rhinoplasty the most requested among patients under 34.

Simultaneously, a counter-movement promoting body positivity and self-acceptance has emerged, encouraging individuals to embrace their unique features, as noted by Ida Banek, co-founder and CEO of Ouronyx, a medical beauty space specialising in non-surgical facial treatments.

The Space: Tech-powered CarePods by Forward Health

CarePod by ForwardHealth, US

Forward Health is paving the way for the future of technology-driven medical care with the introduction of CarePods – self-contained, doctorless medical stations.

Positioned in malls and office buildings, these stand-alone stations provide a range of clinical services, including blood tests and Covid-19 testing. The CarePods conduct full body scans, thyroid testing, blood pressure checks and more without the direct involvement of a doctor or nurse. Diagnostic tasks are handled by customised AI, swiftly followed by prescription generation by healthcare professionals.

With an initial release of 25 CarePods, Forward Health aims for an ambitious scale-up, planning to deploy 3,200 CarePods within a year, although the exact timeline is yet to be specified. This innovative approach consolidates Forward Health’s expertise, creating a scalable and comprehensive medical solution. CarePods usher in a new era where healthcare meets convenience, showcasing how advanced technology can expedite solutions in developing Longevity Lifestyles.

Download the Future Forecast 2024 report

Now that you know what shaped 2023, discover what’s on the horizon. Download our Future Forecast 2024 report comprising 50 new trends across 10 key consumer sectors, insights from our analysts and interviews with global innovators.

Not a member of LS:N Global?

The Future Sessions Bundle, which includes both our Future Forecast 2024 and Future Five 2024 PDF reports, is available to purchase from The Future Laboratory shop. Interested in becoming a member? Learn more here.

Previous News Articles
Viva Technology 2025: Personalised agency, circular retail and regulatory momentum

News

Viva Technology 2025: Personalised agency, circular retail and regulatory momentum

On day two of Viva Technology in Paris, the spotlight turned to the potential of personalised health data and the policies driving circular innovat...
Technology : Global Events : Viva Tech 2025
Foresight Friday: Alice Crossley, senior foresight analyst

News

Foresight Friday: Alice Crossley, senior foresight analyst

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, senior foresight ana...
Foresight Friday : Time : Friction
Stat: Beauty industry faces slower growth amid shifting consumer landscape

News

Stat: Beauty industry faces slower growth amid shifting consumer landscape

The global beauty industry, valued at £325bn ($441bn, €382bn), is entering a period of slower growth and is projected to expand by 5% annually unti...
Beauty : Luxury : Economy
Viva Technology 2025: AI in healthcare, building resilient cities and phygital fashion experiences

News

Viva Technology 2025: AI in healthcare, building resilient cities and phygital fashion experiences

As Viva Technology 2025 opened in Paris, speakers explored how technology can be used to address and help solve global challenges in healthcare, tr...
Technology : Global Events : Viva Tech 2025
TikTok creator Brandon Edelman re-imagines brand trips with Bran Trip

News

TikTok creator Brandon Edelman re-imagines brand trips with Bran Trip

TikTok creator Brandon Edelman (@bran_flakezz) has launched the first-ever Bran Trip – a fan-focused spin on the traditional influencer brand trip.
Pop Culture : Brand Trips : Influencer Culture
Stat: Young travellers prioritise the journey as much as the destination

News

Stat: Young travellers prioritise the journey as much as the destination

Nearly three-quarters (70%) of Millennials and Gen Z say they prefer to plan trips that focus on enjoying the journey as much as the destination, o...
Travel : Travel & Hospitality : Gen Z
Mud is rewilding the pet grooming industry

News

Mud is rewilding the pet grooming industry

London-based start-up Mud™ is making a clean break from the polished pet aesthetic dominating the market.
Society : Design : Pets
Zara launches travel mode feature to enhance customer experience

News

Zara launches travel mode feature to enhance customer experience

Zara, the flagship brand of Inditex, has unveiled a new travel mode feature in its mobile app, aimed at enriching the customer experience during tr...
Retail : Technology : Fashion
Stat: Europe enjoys tourism boom amid fall in international visitors to US

News

Stat: Europe enjoys tourism boom amid fall in international visitors to US

Europe is on track for a record-breaking year in tourism, with international visitor spending expected to rise 11% in 2025 to reach £620bn ($838bn,...
Travel : Tourism : Stat
Good Jamu brings ancestral wellness rituals to modern routines

News

Good Jamu brings ancestral wellness rituals to modern routines

Good Jamu is reviving an ancient Indonesian healing tradition with clarity and cultural conviction. Launched in the UK in May 2025, the brand draws...
Food And Drink : Health And Wellness : Circular Design
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN