The 5 Beauty & Well-Being Trends Of 2020, According To Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market has once again unveiled their beauty and well-being predictions for this year—and we're here for it.

Last year's list predicted the rise of vegan cosmetics and microbiome-friendly beauty, just to name a couple. And given the accuracy of those picks, we had to check out what Whole Foods Market's global beauty buyers picked to be on the rise in 2020.

First up on the list is something called bakuchiol (pronounced either "back-uh-heel" or "buh-koo-chee-all," depending who you ask). It's an extract from the seeds of the babchi plant, and if you've never heard of it before, it's a natural alternative to retinol.

Retinol is, no doubt, a powerful component of many skin care regimens. But it can lead to dry skin, redness, and sensitivity to the sun. Bakuchiol is milder on the face while still providing the plumping and smoothing people expect from their retinol cream.

We all know the importance of wearing sunscreen and minimizing UV exposure. But another kind of light has been in the hot seat lately: blue light.

As such, lots of brands have been taking that into account and creating products to tackle the effects of blue light, from blue-light-blocking glasses for eyes but also skin care products like serums and detox sprays. Some key ingredients Whole Foods Market has looked for include carotenoid lutein, blue-green algae, charcoal, and ginseng root extract.

When you hear "watermelon," it probably evokes fond memories of summertime, not your skin care routine. But with its high content of natural antioxidants like vitamins A, B, C, and E, watermelon is being incorporated in lots of new products.

Next time you're out browsing, "Citrullus lanatu" is how watermelon will likely show up on the label of your fruit-infused hair care products and face masks.

Next up, we have glycolic acid. You've likely heard of this alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) before, as it's used in more and more skin care products. Glycolic acid has been known to help with facial exfoliation and smoothing, revealing fresh skin and an enhanced glow. And this year, glycolic acid is going mainstream as the main ingredient in new cleaners, masks, and exfoliants.

And last but not least, the final beauty trend Whole Foods Market is calling for 2020 is body masks. That's right—our faces aren't the only thing that deserve a little TLC! (Please note this review of a sheet mask for your literal bottom.)

Masks can be a great addition to your skin care routine, and we love taking care of those often underappreciated areas like our feet and hands. From deep conditioning hair treatments on your head down to moisturizing masks for your feet, 2020 is the year we're masking everything (literally).