Insights: Beauty inside and out – Justin Nel, Mintel

— By Maree Ferguson; Edited by Laura Byrne

“Ingestible beauty”? Yes, it’s a trend – worldwide – and it’s gaining in popularity, according to Mintel’s Justin Nel.

Mintel is in the business of using its global new products database to identify trends. Their database includes 3.5 million products from 62 countries, and has 30,000 products added monthly.

Justin is Mintel’s key account director for Australia and NZ, and I recently saw him present at AIFST 2016. [You can view his entire presentation, shared with his permission, at the link below.]

His insights on “beauty food” were fascinating — and relevant for dietetics.

Mintel has identified “beauty food” as a new trend, noting, “the idea of ingestible beauty appears to be resonating with consumers as they become more aware of the impact nutrition can have on skin health”. Hot beverages, such as tea, are leading the way with making a “beauty” claim, followed by juice drinks.

To support this trend, Justin noted these statistics:

– A survey conducted in the UK found that 66% of women believe diet influences the appearance of facial skin.

– 77% of UK adults are consuming at least one type of functional food and drink.

Factors for growth in this “beauty food” category include an increase in the aging population; increasing concerns over beauty; and consumers’ desire to find more convenient solutions.

So where is this trend taking root?

Asia is leading the way with the launch of products with a “beauty” claim, followed by Europe and Latin America. Mintel notes that the Asian population has a greater understanding and practice of the connection between diet and health/skin, most likely as a result of their practice of traditional medicine.

Interestingly, the typical Korean skincare regime involves 11 steps, with 11 different beauty products, so clearly there’s a market for beauty products.

In other “beauty food” trends, here has been a decrease in popularity of vitamin waters, but an increase in “functional” waters, such as protein water and coconut water.

Bamboo and maple sap waters are tipped to be the next big thing in the water category.

A round-up of other products stepping into the spotlight as “beauty foods” include: collagen products, e.g. collagen beer; antioxidant products, e.g. pomegranate juice, aronia berries and jujubes; anti-inflammatory products, e.g. turmeric; and detox products, e.g. charcoal juice.

The crossover is fascinating, and his entire presentation is worth a look. View Justin’s presentation from AIFST ‘16 [permission granted by Justin to share with DC].

Contact Justin:

Justin Nel, Mintel

Key Account Director – Australia & New Zealand

Direct: +61 2 8284 8113

Mobile: +614 5000 5290

[email protected]