Inside Beauty Trends & Innovations Conference 2026: here’s what industry leaders are talking about
The beauty industry has never stood still, but the pace of change over the past few years has been hard to ignore. AI is reshaping how brands engage with customers, wellness is influencing everything from product development to marketing, and social platforms continue to redefine how consumers discover, evaluate and buy beauty products.
For brands, keeping up is no longer just about spotting the next trend. It's about understanding which changes are genuinely worth investing in.
These are exactly the conversations taking centre stage at the 14th Annual Beauty Trends & Innovations Conference, where leaders from across the beauty ecosystem will share how they're responding to the opportunities shaping the sector.
With speakers from organisations including TikTok, L'Oréal, No7 Beauty, Unilever, Wella, Superdrug, Selfridges, Boots, Procter & Gamble, Kenvue, Medik8 and Benefit Cosmetics, the conference offers a practical look at the ideas, innovations and strategies already shaping the industry, and those set to define 2027 and beyond.
AI is becoming part of everyday beauty
AI has quickly moved from being something brands were experimenting with to something they're actively building into day-to-day operations. From personalised recommendations and diagnostics to content creation and product testing, it's becoming another tool for delivering better customer experiences and bringing products to market faster.
Holly Harrison, Head of Beauty at TikTok, opens the day by exploring how AI is changing the way brands advise, educate and inspire consumers, setting the tone for a programme focused on practical applications rather than future possibilities.
Science, skincare and wellness are converging
Consumers are asking more questions about what goes into the products they buy and why those ingredients matter. Scientific skincare, ingredient transparency and skin microbiome research are creating a more informed customer, with brands expected to communicate the science behind their products as clearly as the benefits.
Those conversations continue with Natalie Enslöw, Founder and CEO at fjör, examining the future of skincare and anti-ageing innovation, while Jordan Kavanagh, Senior Consumer Scientist at Oriflame Cosmetics, explores how beauty and wellness are becoming increasingly connected.
Retail and social are rewriting the customer journey
Retailers continue to influence which products succeed, while social platforms increasingly shape how consumers discover them. Understanding what buyers are looking for, how trends evolve and how communities influence purchasing decisions has become a key commercial advantage.
Retail leaders from Selfridges, Boots, Bath & Body Works and Shiseido UKI will share what brands need to do to stand out both online and on the shelf, before speakers from Benefit Cosmetics and Feelunique turn the focus to social media, community building and the next generation of beauty consumers.
Building brands consumers trust
Trust now extends far beyond product performance. Consumers increasingly expect transparency around ingredients, sustainability and ethical business practices, while regulation continues to evolve across global markets.
Speakers from Unilever, Lush Cosmetics, Kenvue and Procter & Gamble will explore everything from sustainable packaging and responsible sourcing to accessibility, regulation and building brands that consumers genuinely believe in.
Bringing the conversations together
Taking place on 22nd September in London, the conference brings together the beauty industry's leading brands, retailers and innovators for a day of case studies, panel discussions, retailer insights and networking.
Whether your focus is marketing, product development, innovation, retail or commercial strategy, you'll leave with practical ideas, fresh perspectives and valuable connections to help shape the next phase of growth.
Use code RTIH to receive £225 off your delegate pass. Register here.
