In our upcoming Beauty Talk for MakeUp in New York (September 17), Beauty Rewired: Adaptive Beauty Systems, our CIO Leila Rochet will unpack how the alliance of technology, science and beauty is reshaping the industry - from sourcing to selling.
“In this era of accelerated innovation, beauty becomes a dynamic, future-ready force that combines the microscopic scale of biotechnology innovations with the expansive opportunities of virtual realities.”
NEXT-LEVEL INTERACTIONS
As consumers increasingly embrace AI-driven creativity, with 65% believing it will enhance artistic expression and progress (Vox), beauty brands have a unique opportunity to leverage the current enthusiasm for tech-powered innovation. The consensus amongst consumers seems to be that if AI can simplify their lives, then it is worth embracing - over half of U.S. Gen Zers support brands using generative AI for personalization (Statista).
New product launches demonstrate the potential for technology to transform how consumers engage with and experience beauty, whether it is through embarking on a ChatGPT-authored glow-up, booking in for an Aescape robotic massage, or by leaning into AI-powered diagnostics with SmartSKN’s Muilli AI Dermascope and L’Oréal’s Cell BioPrint. These innovations demonstrate the power of AI to offer incredibly nuanced experiences, hyper-attuned to individual needs, from health diagnostics to skin analysis to empowering bold makeup looks.
Technology is also powering a new wave of co-created products and experiences, acting as a conduit for deepening consumer engagement and collaboration. NFC-enabled beauty brand Kiki World raised $5 million in 2024 to build on its proposition of offering a blockchain platform that allows users to vote on product designs, earn loyalty points, and unlock discounts. NFC-enabled products further enhance the engagement experience, rewarding community interaction beyond purchases.
BIOTECH FUTURES: SUSTAINABILITY MEETS SCIENCE
As beauty brands seek future resilience, biotechnology and AI-driven formulations are emerging as industry game-changers. Lab-grown ingredients and AI-enhanced product development tools, such as Debut’s BeautyORB, which utilizes AI to scan over 50 billion ingredients, are paving the way for sustainable, high-performance beauty solutions.
In this context, AI-controlled farm environments will become a critical asset to brands focused on ring-fencing their sustainability. Odacité’s Derm-Restore Super Serum (May 2024) showcases the power of AI farming, using lab-grown Edelweiss, an otherwise rare and difficult-to-source botanical ingredient. Beauty brand Jillian Dempsey works with the AI-powered platform Provenance to provide detailed information on the sourcing and composition of its products as it makes ingredient transparency a core part of the brand experience.
THE CIC TAKE
The future of beauty lies in adaptive, tech-driven innovations that merge biotechnology, AI, and self-expression. The industry must embrace this transformation to remain relevant in a world where digital and physical beauty seamlessly converge. This means prioritizing investment in AI-controlled environments or lab-grown alternatives to ensure long-term viability and differentiation; harnessing AI as a facilitator of self-expression; and investigating ways to bring hyper-personalization at scale.
To discover the latest trends shaping the future of beauty, meet the Cosmetics Inspiration & Creation team at the trends area of MakeUp in New York on September 17-18, booth A48.
Our Beauty Talk, Beauty Rewired: Adaptive Beauty Systems, will be held on September 17, 2025, 1:30 pm - 2:15 pm in The Beauty Agora, where Leila will be joined by Alex Rawitz (Director of Research and Insights of CreatorIQ) and Sarah Jindal ( Mintel). The panel will explore how new technologies, from biotech and skin diagnostics to AI and sensorial interfaces, are converging to transform beauty’s potential, fueling groundbreaking innovation, redefining performance and expectations around efficacy and personalization.