Beauty media platform Cosmetics Business has revealed the top 5 ‘beauty hotspots’ of 2026. 

Which are the top 5 'beauty hotspots' of 2026?

Trend 1: Arab beauty

• The Middle Eastern beauty aesthetic has become a mainstream and aspirational beauty ideal globally, including kohl smokey eyes, thick eyebrows, hair extensions and perfume rituals signature scents. 
• Arab beauty or A-beauty's influence is extending beyond aesthetics to ingredients, textures, product performance and storytelling, and experts are betting on the region becoming the next global powerhouse - following in the footsteps of K-beauty.

Trend 2: K-beauty

• K-beauty has reigned in recent years, bringing glass skin and snail mucin into the mainstream globally.
• South Korea’s cosmetics industry exports reached a record US$11.43bn globally in 2025, up 12.3% compared to 2024, and the country surpassed France as the biggest cosmetics exporter to the USA.
• A fresh wave of innovation from Korea is poised to take hold in 2026, spanning hair care and colour cosmetics to boundary-pushing, skin-loving ingredients.

Trend 3: Indian beauty

• Indian beauty brands or I-beauty have been a long-time choice for health-conscious consumers who appreciate many brands’ incorporation of Ayurvedic ingredients and rituals.
• New focus on cutting-edge skin science, climate-conscious formulations and winning over India’s tech-forward Gen Z have resulted in I-beauty drawing international attention, in addition to a devoted local consumer base. 

Trend 4: Scandi beauty

• More than a minimalist aesthetic, Scandi beauty has matured into a much more rounded concept that aligns with what global consumers are looking for today.
• This is demonstrated by the success of many newer beauty brands from the region, including Mantle, Estrid and Scandy, as well as longer-established players Maria Nila, Lumene and Ole Henriksen.

Trend 5: Taiwan beauty

• As a regional beauty movement, T-beauty may not be on consumers’ radars in the way that K-beauty is.
• But Taiwan is emerging on the global beauty scene as it gains recognition for its dermatological and scalp care brands, novel make-up innovations and technical precision.

For the full report, visit cosmeticsbusiness.com.