Millennials and generation Z are the generational ages with the most concerned about their self-esteem, mental health and physical health and, particularly, their appearance. This is why cosmetics brands are constantly researching to meet the needs and demands of these segments, which in the coming years will be the ones who will invest the most in the latter factor.

For these segments the needs may vary, but in common some situations have been found that originate the search for personal care products with an aesthetic approach. Among these reasons are aging, acne marks or scars from accidents or other injuries that affect not only the appearance of the skin, but directly the self-esteem of consumers.

These marks usually do not cause pain or discomfort to the person who has them (unless it is a disease that requires specific medical treatment). Even so, along with the search for products that solve, diminish or eliminate scars, the demand for psychological care to treat the emotional damage caused by these lesions has also increased.

The purchasing power of these segments continues to increase and this favors the industry of these products, although it is not the only demanding public because, as we have already mentioned, patients with skin diseases and the segment that wants to prevent aging also participate in the increase in the quantities and types of products manufactured. And of course, large companies and leading brands are also investing more in innovation and new product development in order to satisfy even more than one consumer need at a time.

These factors influence the scar-correction-focused product industry to increase year by year. As of 2020, its market value was $12.23 billion and is estimated to increase by at least 9.9% per year through 2029.

Something interesting to comment on are the pandemic effects. During the days of isolation, the demand for these and other cosmetic products increased because consumers had time and interest in learning how to take better care of themselves to improve their quality of life in all possible aspects, but this supply chain was affected by the blockades between countries that prevented the supply of raw materials for the manufacture of products.

And if we add to this that clinics closed due to the confinement we can deduce a considerable drop in the demand for such products and treatments, but the future may look promising due to the awareness of consumers towards the care of their person.

And just as the future looks bright, so does urbanization.

Different skin diseases are caused by lack of care from pollution and sun. Although, if we do not limit ourselves to diseases we can talk about lack of elasticity or sunburn, not to mention hair loss. Brands choose to focus their new marketing campaigns on raising awareness of this preventive care before resorting to treatments to meet these possible new needs.

But how many types of skin lesions are there?

There are arthrophic, hypertrophic and keloid, contracture or stretch marks:

Arthrophic scars are the leading segment in revenue generation through 2020. These scars are caused by acne, fat and muscle loss in the injured area due to inadequate collagen production to repair the infected area. For this type of scars the solutions can be gels or creams, favoring the production of collagen and elastin among other fibrous tissues.

As a result we obtain an aging segment that seeks to meet their aesthetic needs for which these topical products are an ideal alternative.

In turn, hypertrophic scars, which are caused by wounds, can be identified as raised and thick as an unusual response to the body's response to the wound or the treatment provided for healing and are estimated to be next on the list that leads the demand for these products or treatments.

Keloid scars are created by excessive collagen generation during the healing process. They usually appear in areas of rigid skin, surgical interventions, burns or skin trauma. For this type of treatment, laser therapies or, in more extreme cases, interventions with silicone are usually used. This segment is also growing, although topical or ingestive alternatives continue to dominate demand.

So, what are the best-selling products?

Here creams reign supreme, then gels, followed by collagen supplements and finally laser treatments.

The creams for these treatments act immediately because they are applied on the affected area, as well as the gels, but the latter have a consistency that is not the consumers' favorite.

These products popularly contain cocoa butter, vitamin D, E. coconut oil, olive oil, collagen, hyaluronic acid among other components that provide responses to the interaction with the lesion.

Supplements are an alternative that consumers choose to take alongside other skin treatments to address the lesion internally and externally, but studies have shown that topical options demonstrate results more quickly.

The world's population, mostly in North America and Europe, is more than busy solving issues related to their health, such as paying attention to their weight, fitness and improving their immune system. But what are they looking for?

Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, botanical supplements and probiotics are the main products consumers are looking for to improve the aforementioned aspects and, surprising or not, there is finally more attention being given to supplementation by segments: children, infants, adults, pregnant women and seniors.

This is why the dietary supplement industry, as of 2022, has a market value of almost USD 142 billion dollars, where it is projected that until 2028 this amount will increase by 8.4% each year.

What other factors are driving growth?

Sedentary lifestyles of consumers lead to lifestyle-related diseases and particularly in patients with obesity, the greatest changes in daily living habits have been reported.

To this we add the increase in consumer income, plus a geriatric segment that continues to grow and public health initiatives in the areas mentioned at the beginning of this article to combat diseases caused by a bad lifestyle, mainly sedentary and without healthy habits in terms of nutrition, physical exercise and appearance care.

A clear example of a greater awareness of habits and at the same time with a greater purchasing power are the registrations in gyms and also in nutrition clubs and not only in Europe and North America, also in Asia and Latin America there has been an interesting increase from 2020.

So who wants what?

Here vitamins reign supreme, why? Because brands customize each product to the need of their different segments and push them with marketing strategies to persuade consumer choices.

Parents are increasingly concerned about their nutrition, both for their babies and toddlers and for infants and school-age children. This is why this segment is the most influential in the searches and purchases generated in this industry because, in addition to seeking better habits for themselves, they are responsible for and are the main investors in the health of children and infants segments.

And returning to the subject of marketing, we consider it important to mention the influence that various public figures have on consumer choices.

Let's talk about moms, who in addition to consulting their doctors, nutritionists and even physical activity instructors, follow advice for skin care and health care during their pregnancy process. This segment is important and is also attributed an interesting part in terms of demand for food supplements.

But the advantage for the leaders in the geriatric products industries is the increasing diseases for this segment. And there is no denying the needs that these particular consumers have and continue to develop. So this segment is also considered one of the main segments for global brands to bet on to develop products that address such needs.

The COVID-19 pandemic gave us life lessons that have transformed our habits and have led us to diversify our work; from the famous and already common homeoffice to online sales, a topic that until five years ago was a taboo among the older segments. With this we want to mention the influence that the digital era has on our daily life habits and, therefore, on our consumption habits, since we consider that we are increasingly closer to absolutely everything.

Digitalization, from the perspective of mental health experts, comes to harm people's emotional well-being due to social pressure and desires to lifestyles that are difficult to achieve. It has been shown that emotional situations directly harm the immune system and, consequently, the health of users. For this reason, different brands are opting for marketing campaigns that promote the care of mental health on a par with physical health, and we believe that, far from being strategic campaigns, they are responsible campaigns that will bring full benefits to those who choose to consume them.

There are factors that influence innovation departments and other laboratories to conduct different tests, research and clinical trials for softgels, such as increasing cardiovascular diseases and trends towards natural products. So, is softgel a natural product?

Not necessarily, softgel has that soft consistency because gelatin is its raw material, but manufacturers can include a huge posibilitie of compounds in each production to give it the desired purpose. Yes, it can include natural, organic and even vegan compounds, as the market has demanded in the last five years.

But there is a tremendously influential agent in the growth of this presentation of diverse products, an agent that also influences the value of the softfel market to be valued at 4.88 billion dollars last year, we are talking about COVID-19.

The pandemic not only played a part in changing our daily habits as individuals, such as improving our diet to strengthen our immune system, as well as paying more attention to our psychological health, but also put leaders in the healthcare industries to work.

Since the arrival of the pandemic, numerous companies have begun research to develop oral vaccines, and five companies worldwide are developing orally administered vaccines. There are even companies that are collaborating to meet the requirements of oral vaccines, but what are they really? Do they work? A vaccine is a biological product whose purpose is to create defenses against a specific disease. When administered, the immune system reacts as if it were in contact with the disease, so it develops defenses to fight it, which is why the vaccine must be applied before the organism comes into contact with the infectious agents. But for diseases such as poliomyelitis, the vaccine was not given by injection, it was given orally and in some cases, the influenza vaccine was given nasally.

Another interesting part is how companies are researching to offer different possibilities for their capsules using a mixture of porcine and bovine gelatin thanks to its exceptional properties. The bovine-derived gelatin can improve the decision making ability of the capsule and the porcine gelatin offers an attribute of flexibility and clarity to the formulation. Although, organic trends are coming with everything and therefore it is important for brands or companies to consider them as a good alternative raw material.

Vitamins and dietary supplements represent the largest revenues in the global industry and lead with the largest shares in terms of annual revenues. In addition, soft gelatin capsules are the main formulation alternative as they protect against ultraviolet radiation and other factors involved in prolonging or reducing the shelf life of each product.

In addition, studies propose that vitamins, when administered in softgel form, are rapidly immersed into the bloodstream compared to tablet formulation. Therefore, these benefits of vitamins are manufactured in this format, consequently, boosting the demand for the segment across the global industry.

The health industry is also expected to see an increase in products and medicines in these presentations due to the growing inclination towards healthy lifestyles to balance health and boost the immune system as a result of the pandemic. In turn, the increasing acceptance of bland medications and the increasing response to prenatal and postnatal pills are also attributed to the demand for softgel products. Hence, these factors are gaining tremendous prominence in the market driving the industry demand in the coming years.

The most populr softgel products:

Consumer audience studies and analyses suggest the following list as the most in-demand softgel products:

• Immune system supplements
• Cough and cold products
• Anti-inflatulents and antacids
• Anti-anemia supplements or medications
• Pregnancy products
• Anti-inflammatory products
• Antibiotics and antibacterials
• Vitamin supplements

2022 keeps everything natural, organic, pet-friendly or eco-friendly on trend, so it's no wonder that food supplements from "natural" sources are a particular focus of leaders in this, and the sleep, stress and relaxation industries.

Let's talk about the major players in the botanical supplement industry, who are looking at potential alternative therapies, primarily to alleviate problems with insomnia, mood disorders and other psychological conditions. The market is replete with herbal supplements such as detoxification, probiotic drinks among others.

These and other factors influence the growth of the industry, which by 2022 has a market value of approximately US$30 billion worldwide and is estimated to have a growth of 7.3% each year until 2028.

Not only supplements, but also preventive alternatives

Optimizations in botanical supplements with proprietary goodness from sources of amino acids, herbs, spices, flowers and other origins that impart specific functional characteristics, such as muscle repair, energy balance and weight loss, are consumer favorites and have seen considerable increases in their searches, in addition, the public is increasingly interested in preventive health care and awareness about health and nutrition, therefore, products of natural origin or sources are the favorite choices today.

And not surprisingly, thanks to the habits brought about by the pandemic, consumers have experienced changes in eating and self-care habits, so we predict that these new habits will remain in the lives of consumers, with a particular increase in terms of peace of mind, stress reduction, ease of rest and natural nutrition.

Consumer's preferred sources

Herbs, leaves, spices, flowers from which we take specific components to make them into powders, beverages, tablets, capsules and even gummies, or so consumers have demonstrated in terms of their searches and purchases.

During 2020, plant leaves were the main resource for manufacturers of these supplements, why? Because thanks to their generational or traditional use, consumers put more faith, for example, in aloe vera drinks, cloves, basil, mint and thyme, excellent sources of antioxidants.

Next are spices, which in addition to adding specific flavors and scents to thousands of dishes of the world's gastronomy, also offer beneficial properties for the human organism and here we find a double intention when using them in food, mainly in Asia, where they also sought to strengthen the immune system.

On the other hand, it is estimated that the flower section will experience an increase in terms of research, production and consumption, as consumers have accepted more rapidly in the food and beverage industry, medicines, cosmetics and supplements of botanical origin as a result of increases in chronic diseases.

So, in powder, capsule or drinks?

Tablets took the lead in terms of revenue in the last two years, followed by capsules because of their ease of consumption, this in European and American countries, since in Asia (India and China, to be more specific) territory where the traditional way of obtaining compounds directly from the sources through infusions or traditional methods, tablets gained greater acceptance.

Still, powdered supplements are expected to represent the most sought-after botanical supplement category, even among nutraceuticals, where consumers would substitute their preferences from energy drinks to products for concentration and mental well-being. But that's not all, because gummies also propose significant growth opportunities in the market for these on-trend supplements.

Returning to the subject of the new post-pandemic habits... Will it be a total success to opt for this type of supplements?

If we consider the changes in the lifestyle of consumers and their interests in the last five years in terms of what they consume, how they consume it and even how they buy it, where their priority is peace of mind, comfort and, of course, the naturalness of the product, we can agree that we will have different new brands in the market of these supplements of botanical origin. We can only wait to see the proposals of these products where there is the possibility of enhancing each component thanks to the improvements of formulations and mixtures with compounds that participate in the energy and development of different functions of the human body.

Until a few years ago, fish oil was used only on medical advice because of its high content of omegas 3, 6 and 9. These fatty acids benefit cardiovascular health at high levels, have anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce the level of triglycerides. They also participate in the strengthening of veins and arteries and in keeping the blood free of clots, so they can be related to the prevention of thrombosis, embolisms and strokes.

These conditions are associated with controlled medical treatments, reason why the consumer was limited to look for products with this component, however, the studies of the last decade have allowed to consider fish oil as a preventive alternative, not as a treatment for any condition, but, are krill oil and fish oil the same?

No, it is different from fish oil

Starting with the source from which each one is extracted, since commercial fish oil is extracted from the so-called blue fish, such as tuna, herring, mackerel, salmon or trout, whereas krill is a crustacean only 5 or 6 centimeters long that lives in huge shoals and feeds on seaweed and small forms of life from the bottom of the oceans.

What does krill oil contain?

What is relevant here are the reasons why it has become a trend in recent years, starting from its high concentrations of phospholipids, far from its omega-3 content, for example.

Phospholipids are involved in the correct development of brain functions and in controlling fat and lipids in the blood, avoiding (as well as fish oil) clots and triggering problems that threaten our health.

In addition to this, it has been demonstrated through different studies that krill oil has, with better bioavailability compared to fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are also involved in the proper functioning of the brain and even influence immune health (this is a plus). This means that the body absorbs them better and faster, giving the organism the advantage of taking advantage of these compounds that

As of 2020, the value of the global krill market was 235.8 million, but decreased by more than 5% due to disruptions in its supply chain due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, it continues to position itself during this 2022 and its value has increased to just over 240.1 million.

But what is driving demand this year?

Factors such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and other disorders benefit from krill oil and its properties. It has also been shown to be involved in eye health and, most interestingly, it has been shown to reduce the risk of developing autism, cerebral palsy and ADHD by improving brain health during pregnancy and early life.

In addition, the increase of chronic degenerative diseases in the population of older adults has led them to seek alternatives to medications to alleviate such ailments to maintain their health. This segment in particular is looking for different options to consume these preventive alternatives, therefore, it is estimated that liquid presentations will lead this market, followed by soft capsules or softgels and finally, traditional capsules.

Liquid products are more suitable for babies and elderly people because they reduce choking problems associated with tablets (or so say those who prefer to take krill oil in juices or supplementary drinks), while capsules maintain sensitive substances, facilitate combinations with other components and ensure the supply of fats and fat-soluble nutrients (main agents of krill oil).

North America has been the world leader in terms of krill oil consumption, followed by Europe and Asia, and the leading brands in the global industry of this component will be the ones betting on these markets by offering their current consumers these products with other benefits.

Among all the properties related to seaweed, both those that have been known for a long time and those that have recently become popular, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic qualities stand out. These and more make this marine plant an excellent component for the health, nutrition and well-being of consumers.

Consequently, the value of the seaweed market is increasing considerably, forecasting growth of up to 9.5% from 2016, the initial year of analysis, to 2028. Currently the market value is about $4.9 billion and demand in the agricultural, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries will generate a significant increase.

But what makes them so great?

Algae have several benefits for our health: they increase thyroid function due to their abundant content of tyrosine and iodine, they are also rich in calcium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, folic acid, vitamin A, C, E and K.

They are an excellent alternative for weight control and to prevent cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, as well as different chronic disorders caused by obesity. In these cases, different commercial brands of seaweed contain low calories and are rich in fiber and other nutrients to fulfill the functions that consumers in this segment demand.

If we continue talking about cardiovascular diseases, we must recognize that they are the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting 423 million people, while another 463 million suffer from diabetes. And thanks to scientific advances and analyses carried out on seaweed, fucoxanthin has been highlighted as a component that controls blood sugar levels and therefore reduces the risk of diabetes.

Knowing these factors, it is logical to think of an increase in the demand for products containing seaweed, however, since the arrival of COVID-19, the supply chain of these products has been interrupted.

So... Drug or supplement or something else?

This depends entirely on the classification provided by its manufacturer, the regulatory rules governing its formula and the additional components the product contains. Still, the term supplement is the one that dominates in the minds of consumers.

It has been heard that they could serve as anti-cancer drugs because around the world and in different marine environments compounds have been found with the ability to fight some types of cancer, such as those found in various species of algae.

In some cases, the type and quantity of these compounds have been associated not only to the species, but also to the exposure and adaptation to extreme conditions in the environment, therefore, such compounds are related to the resistance and impediment of the development of cancerous cells in our organism.

On the other hand and in relation to cancer, chemoprevention has also become popular, since it refers to the use of natural, synthetic or biological agents that prevent, revert, suppress or avoid the progression of invasive cancer, and some of these agents are present in marine algae. Regarding this, it will be necessary for the interested consumer to consult his doctor or nutritionist to establish the indicated diet or dosage either in supplement or food format.

And there is more! Algae have found applications in the cosmetic industry because they are great sources of antioxidants as they contain Fucoxanthin, which has 13.5 times more antioxidant activity compared to vitamin E and is also believed to protect cell membranes.

Let's talk about algae supplements, how does the public prefer them?

Tablets are the preferred format in terms of supplements, because it is easy to identify the doses that each consumer needs, in addition to their practicality. Next are capsules and powders, although what is relevant for the consumer are the different properties of the algae and, in the last case, the additional ingredients they may contain, such as vitamins, minerals, among others.

This latest trend in adding extra benefits in each supplement has taken relevance in the industry and not only in terms of seaweed and its benefits, but throughout the nutritional and even cosmetic industry.

A whole debate has taken place since Oregon State University and Oregon Health and Science University conducted a research focused on those chemicals present in plants that could bind to the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, to prevent the ability to infect our cells.

Of course, the hemp plant was in the spotlight because, thanks to the results of different research studies that speak of the countless goodness and benefits associated with human health and well-being, researching this plant was almost a must.

Two potential compounds of this plant were identified: cannabigerolic acid or CBGA and cannabidiolic acid CBDA. These components were subjected to different analyses, obtaining positive results against the Alpha and Beta variants of the coronavirus and which would be the components that could prevent the virus from developing in our organism and consequently infecting it.

However, these have only been laboratory tests that have given much to speculate about, but it is feared that they are efficient experiments only in laboratories and that they do not work in animal or human tests, as was the case of drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, which in tests and experiments was effective to stop the coronavirus, but outside the laboratory it was not so functional.

Although we do not mean that CBGA or CBDA are about to fail, it is suggested to keep moderate expectations for these and any other experimental drugs until science and more studies can show true success against this virus.

So, how do we get CBGA or CBDA?

No, you don't get it by smoking. It's not necessary to dry the plant and then burn it; this could rather be attributed to different sources that have manipulated the information in a way that seeks to encourage users to consume the cannabis plant in various ways and for other purposes.

The starring components of this article are precursors of the most popular cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The former is associated with the psychoactive effects caused by marijuana consumption, while CBD is more related to therapeutic or medicinal effects.

CBAG exists only while the cannabis plant is growing, while the latter is converted into CBD. This does not mean that popular or already marketed products containing cannabis properties have influence against the symptoms or hindering the development of the virus in our organism.

To be clearer about the ideal way to consume these two acids from the cannabis plant, we must let science take its time to continue working on research that, if it doesn't offer effective alternatives to stop contagion, may develop ways to inhibit the coronavirus, even for a short period of time.

If it happens, these treatments could be used to protect immunocompromised people in high-risk situations, such as during an active coronavirus outbreak. We therefore hope that this type of research can continue to be carried out.

Because of their name we can associate them with the most commercial proteins or proteins that we can obtain from different foods, however, functional proteins are those that provide the body with the essential properties for its proper functioning in a purer and more direct way; these functional proteins are the favorites of athletes, patients with cardiovascular diseases or eye diseases and many brands in the hair and skin care industry include them in their products to provide better quality to their consumers.

Functional proteins are obtained from different sources, but through various chemical processes they are isolated and reproduced to preserve them in their purest form so that they can provide benefits with better results. These proteins are present in food supplements in a variety of presentations, such as tablets, beverages, capsules, powders for preparation, syrups, gummies, among others.

Increasing Factors

The incidence of health problems is increasing and increasing, but with it, knowledge of good eating habits, an interest in improving fitness and health awareness. All this contributes to the growth of the functional protein market. Currently, the value of the functional protein market ranges between $4.62 billion and is estimated to increase by 5.7% more each year until 2028 which comprises the forecast period for these proteins.

Fortunately consumers are more aware of their nutritional intake, the benefits of physical activity and the use of food supplements to meet the body's nutritional needs, this is also driving the sale of functional proteins, but this is only part of it.

The establishment of health clubs and trends that encourage consumers to focus on health have increased the sale of dietary supplements. In addition, new gyms, in conjunction with advertising and marketing activities and motivated by monetary benefits, offer consumers attractive subscription plans to increase the sale of weight loss supplements and weight management supplements. So, we can anticipate that this market will have growth and position well into the next decade (or until another nutritional trend comes along and does its thing).

On the other hand, North America is the country that currently consumes more of these types of supplements, because within its nutritional culture is the tendency to seek and measure their diet, in addition to balancing it with exercise. Not to mention that the elderly segment continues to increase and also the diseases that affect the quality of life.

But...

Not everything is so fascinating, because unfortunately the COVID-19 outbreak disrupted the supply chain worldwide.

Prices increased due to the blockades, and limited human capital in companies severely affects the protein market and the development of these products. Many countries have regulated the movement of people and goods, leading to decreased deliveries, roadblocks and other logistical problems. Still, the protein market is expected to grow after the pandemic and attract investment and research initiatives to increase protein applications.

Functional proteins with the highest demand

Proteins are classified differently according to their intended function: we find casein, to support sports performance, hydrolyzed so that the body can assimilate it in an ideal way and added with amino acids and other nutrients that participate in the proper functioning of the immune system. We also find them on animal origin, such as whey protein, and vegetable origin, such as soy protein. These functional proteins have become more popular during the last few years due to the growing trends in fitness and to the fact that animal care and veganism are on the rise.

In reference to hydrolyzed proteins, they have been in great demand for the last five years. This type of functional proteins are obtained by heating purified protein sources with acid or by adding proteolytic enzymes, followed by various purification procedures. These proteins, in addition to being responsible for improving insulin production in the body, increase the plasma concentration of amino acids and facilitate protein digestion.

Powdered, gummies, ready-to-drink & more.

Because of their practicality at the time of consumption, ready-to-drink beverages or juices are the preferred format of consumers, which is why they have become the focus of brands developing this type of supplements. On the other hand, it is well known that the sports segment is attracted to powder formats because of the freedom to dose the amount of product to be consumed. Either way, the flavors added to the products are always attractive and there is a huge variety for consumers to choose from.

Dietary supplements are non-medical alternatives that benefit the health of consumers, in addition, they provide specific amounts of nutrients to complement what each person needs.

Those supplements that participate in improving people's living conditions are in high demand by users, because, since they do not contain drugs and, to a great extent, are of natural origin, they turn out to be favorite options for the adult age segments, mainly, a segment to which industry leaders aim with different beneficial products for their health.

The living conditions of these segments are affected by different reasons, such as the accelerated pace of life, lack of exercise and poor diet. As a consequence of these bad habits, different ailments are generated among a large percentage of the world's population, such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.

With high cholesterol, fatty deposits may form blood vessels which, over time, grow and make it more difficult for enough blood to flow through the arteries. Sometimes these deposits can break off and form clots that cause a heart attack or stroke. And this is just one of the risks of having high cholesterol, so, many consumers rely on supplements to reduce the risks of high cholesterol levels, and the main alternative to combat such threats is omega-3.

Foods such as fish and flaxseed are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and some dietary supplements such as fish oil also contain them.

The three main omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA and EPA are found in fish and other seafood. On the other hand, ALA is an essential fatty acid obtained from food products or supplements, as the human body does not produce it. Omega-3 can be obtained from vegetable oils, mainly soybean and canola oils, seafood and flaxseed oil, including shellfish and oily fish.

Fatty acids help in various bodily functions, such as muscle activity, fertility, brain development and function, cell division and growth, digestion, blood clotting, a function that helps keep cholesterol levels level.

Globally, the value of the omega-3 market was estimated at $2.68 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound-annual rate of 7.8% during the forecast period (to 2028).

It was previously mentioned that the adult segment is the main focus for brands producing omega 3 dietary supplements, but increasing geriatric population, lifestyle changes and consumer awareness regarding health, good nutrition, sedentary lifestyles and disease prevalence are also expected to be focuses driving this market.

What do consumers prefer?

For the study, the analysis was divided into the three types of omega-3 fatty acids: DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid), ALA (Alpha-linolenic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). The significant omega-3s in marine sources such as fish oil are EPA and DHA, while plant sources provide mainly ALA.

ALA is an essential fatty acid. However, EPA and DHA offer greater health benefits, maintaining cholesterol levels and generating it in a level manner. DHA is necessary for the growth and functional development of the brain in infants and the maintenance of normal brain function in adults. It also improves learning ability and cardiovascular health.

Now, we know that Omega-3, whether obtained naturally or through supplements, participates in different body functions and at different ages, where the young segment (21 - 33 years old) stands out, showing more and more interest in preventing ailments when reaching adult ages (in addition to benefiting physical condition), therefore, it remains within the trends of organic consumption and nutritional sources as natural as possible.

And it's no wonder that the U.S. and Canada will dominate the global omega-3 market in 2020, where over the past few years there has been a growing awareness of weight loss and the benefits of eating healthy, resulting in an increased demand for omega-3.

What about presentations?

The market has seen a significant increase in sales of powdered dietary supplements and ready-to-drink organic beverages, although traditional formats such as softgels or capsules will always be an ideal choice for consumers.

Maybe we have all had some mild (or not so mild) episodes of acne in our lives, probably during our teenage years or even as adults some signs of acne can make their presence felt on our skin. But regardless of stages, when acne cases are more severe, it can result in a loss of self-esteem, and sometimes even some inferiority complex.

The psychological impact that acne can have on people leads to behavioral changes and many of those affected, avoid eye contact with other people. This anxiety or stress leads to a demand for products to combat acne, in addition, the use of cosmetics by men and women to attack, reduce or avoid this condition is increasing.

Although there are different products to combat acne such as medications, remedies or specific foods, we will focus on cosmetic products. These have been analyzed since 2016 and with analysis forecast until 2028, with the amount of $2.3 billion being their market value during 2020.

What else influences such growth?

In 2020, the female consumer segment dominated the industry and accounted for more than half of all revenue globally generated. From 2021 to 2028, this segment is expected to grow even faster. Furthermore, the high prevalence of skin disorders among women can be attributed to rising revenues.

Moreover, acne is more common in women than in men due to hormonal fluctuations, such as those occurring during the menstrual cycle. According to one survey, 62.2% of premenopausal women reported that their acne condition increases during their menstrual cycle.

Reviews from influencers and public figures with high influence within the younger segments (who happen to be the biggest consumers of the products featured in this article) drive demand for these products.

Through platforms such as YouTube, TikTok & Instagram, these characters share their experiences when trying different beauty products and even hair dyes, makeovers, makeup, among others. Here also enter the products focused on the reduction or disappearance of acne, acting directly on the skin without the need of drugs or hormonal treatments or with other components.

Therefore, digital platforms boost the demand for these products and position those that are better, leaving aside those that, from the opinions of these characters, comments in reviews and shared experiences of users, are not so useful.

In addition, thanks to the diversification of brands by providing digital shopping experiences to users, this industry is further driven to be highly profitable within the next decades.

These products are used to clear pimples and lesions that form due to acne, in addition to tightening and restoring pores, cleaning the most superficial layers of the skin and giving the skin a healthier appearance.

However, it is important to emphasize that these products do not contain active ingredients related to drugs or components classified as such; the regulations of each country govern this type of regulations, therefore, it is necessary to explain on the product labels what is contained and what it works for. If we talk about cosmetic products that together fulfill different functions (such as day cream + night cream), good options can be created for consumers, but this would be a different issue from a medical treatment.

Check this out!

Acne is the eighth most prevalent disease, and acne vulgaris affects nearly 700 million people worldwide, representing approximately 10% of the world's population.

Although this condition does not have life-threatening effects on a person's health, it does lead to various psychological problems such as depression and anxiety. Following up with consumers through emotional/psychological tips would be a great push for brands focused on acne products.

On the other hand, over the past few years, the use of these cosmetics by men has increased thanks to a greater awareness of skin health and appearance care and because of this many companies are producing acne cosmetics specifically for men.

How are these products preferred?

Creams and lotions generated the highest revenues in 2020; they are expected to be the leaders during the forecast period thanks to high market demand for these items, as they offer protection against bacteria and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.