In the fast-paced world of beauty, innovation isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a necessity. Brands must continuously evolve to inspire and connect with consumers. At Lubrizol Beauty, our Foresee Lab™ is at the forefront of this transformation, decoding market dynamics, consumer behaviors, and digital trends to deliver actionable insights that empower our partners worldwide.

In this post, we turn our lens to China, one of the most vibrant and influential beauty markets on the global stage. From ingredient-savvy consumers to emerging scientific concepts, discover what’s shaping the future of C-Beauty and how it’s redefining skincare innovation.

What’s Driving C-Beauty Today?

China’s beauty ecosystem is fueled by Tier 1 cities, where highly informed “skintellectuals” dominate the conversation. These tech-savvy consumers dive deep into product research before making a purchase. In fact, 75% of Chinese beauty users report having strong ingredient knowledge¹, and online discussions around the term “Ingredient Geek (成分党)” have surged by 302%² in just one year.

Today’s consumers aren’t just scanning ingredient lists—they’re dissecting full product formulas. They demand transparent labeling, evidence-based claims, and a clear scientific rationale behind every product.

Spotlight on Skin Science: The Rise of the DEJ

Foresee Lab™ has identified a growing interest in the dermo-epidermal junction (DEJ)—a vital layer that connects the epidermis and dermis, playing a key role in skin firmness, repair, and cellular communication.

C-Beauty brands are spotlighting the DEJ to promote advanced anti-aging benefits, emphasizing its role in anchoring skin structure and maintaining elasticity. The trend is gaining traction: the hashtag #DEJ has reached 8 million views on Rednote⁵, China’s version of Instagram.

While skin health remains a core theme, we see how the DEJ is emerging as a strategic storytelling tool to communicate youth-preserving innovations.

Ingredient Watch: What’s Trending in China

Foresee Lab™’s Ingredient Predictor has uncovered key ingredient trends shaping China’s beauty space. Two major themes are emerging:

Dermatologist-backed ingredients like Ceramide NP are gaining momentum, especially in face care products targeting sensitive skin. Though current discussion volume is modest, Ceramide NP is in its “awakening” phase, with strong growth predicted⁶.
Ancient wellness actives such as Ashwagandha are also rising, reflecting a fusion of tradition and science.

Meanwhile, Vitamin C and Centella Asiatica remain top choices for repair and revitalization, while synthetic peptides and 5-HTP are gaining attention for their barrier-supporting and anti-aging properties⁶.

At Lubrizol Beauty, we’re proud to help brands navigate this exciting landscape, turning insights into impact.

*Gen Zalpha: Born between 2008 and 2013, a cusp generation between Gen Z and Gen Alpha
¹ Beyond Reach Institute
² Radarly Social Listening Platform – China (May 2024–Apr 2025 vs. May 2023–Apr 2024)
⁴ Fastdata 2024
⁵ BEAUTYAI, March–May 2024
⁶ Radarly Social Listening Platform – Ingredient Predictor China (Jan–Dec 2024 vs. Jan–Dec 2023)

C-Beauty in Focus: Innovation, Ingredients & Insights from China’s Evolving Skin Care Scene