From the Kitchen to the Lab: Why Beauty is Food

As the beauty industry evolves, there’s a growing trend that’s hard to ignore: skincare brands are increasingly adopting food ingredients. The line between what we eat and what we apply to our skin has never been thinner, signaling a deeper, more symbiotic relationship between the food and beauty industries.

While “food as skincare” isn’t a new concept—many of us have been mixing up DIY face masks with honey, avocado, and oats for years—recently, this trend has gone from niche experimentation to a full-scale movement. So, what’s driving this shift? And why are food ingredients suddenly gaining such widespread popularity in skincare?

The Beauty Industry’s Growing Appetite for Food-Based Ingredients

In many ways, the beauty industry mirrors the fast-paced world of food trends. Just like how certain food ingredients gain buzz and become mainstream (think quinoa, acai, or matcha), skincare ingredients also rise to prominence based on their purported effectiveness and marketability. For example, hyaluronic acid, retinol, and vitamin C have long been skincare staples, but newer, niche ingredients like snail mucin, bakuchiol, and squalane have shaken up the industry. The beauty world, much like the food world, thrives on new, exciting ingredients that captivate consumers and promise innovation.

The rapid adoption of food-inspired ingredients in skincare isn’t just about effectiveness—it’s about aligning with consumer desires for innovation and authenticity. The food industry has seen a similar pattern of introducing trendy ingredients that quickly gain traction. Foods like quinoa, turmeric, and matcha have skyrocketed in popularity due to their health benefits, and the beauty industry is now adopting these same superfoods for their skin-boosting properties.

In both realms, the focus on wellness and self-care has become central. Just as people seek “gut-friendly” foods or probiotic-rich snacks for their health benefits, they now look to skincare products that offer similar holistic advantages. From antioxidants in superfruit extracts to nourishing oils that mimic healthy fats, these food-inspired skincare formulas are tapping into the larger cultural conversation around health and wellness.

The Sensory Experience: Beauty and Food Have More in Common Than You Think

Beyond ingredients, both food and beauty have a shared emphasis on sensory experience. In the food world, taste, texture, and aroma are everything. Similarly, in the beauty industry, how a product smells, feels, and even looks plays a huge role in a consumer's decision to buy and continue using it. As food and beauty overlap, we see products that prioritize the sensory pleasure of application—take Rhode’s Glazing Milk— or a serum that has the same invigorating citrus scent as a refreshing juice cleanse. Brands are increasingly using food-inspired packaging, fragrances, and textures to create an experience that feels familiar and comforting to consumers. The link between savoring food and savoring skincare is becoming increasingly evident—one that feels inescapable in the current beauty industry.

Packaging, too, has become a key point of intersection. Food-inspired skincare brands are using vibrant, playful packaging and ingredients that mimic familiar foods—like honeycomb-patterned labels or ingredients like avocado, matcha, and coconut. These visual cues evoke a sense of comfort and familiarity, tapping into the same sensory satisfaction we get from enjoying a delicious meal. It’s about creating an experience that feels familiar, comforting, and indulgent—something that invites consumers to savor their beauty rituals just as they would a great meal.

The Future of Skincare is on Your Plate

As the beauty industry continues to embrace the wellness trends of the food world, it’s clear that the line between food and skincare will continue to blur. With food-inspired ingredients, textures, and experiences becoming central to both industries, skincare is becoming less about just the product—and more about the overall experience of nourishing the body, mind, and skin. From the kitchen to the lab, beauty is taking a page from the food industry’s book, serving up skincare that’s just as nourishing as your favorite meal.