Seasonal shifts offer the perfect opportunity for a fresh start—not just for your skin, but for your scalp and hair too! As consumers continue to prioritize wellness and ingredient transparency, today’s hair care formulations are increasingly embracing skin care-grade ingredients that nourish the scalp and support healthy, vibrant hair.

As a market-leading specialty aerosol and liquid product manufacturer, PLZ Personal Care Solutions helps brands stay ahead of the curve. We guide brands through every step of the product development process—from formulation to packaging—ensuring hair care offerings that meet the highest standards of efficacy and appeal, while aligning with consumer preferences.

Download our hair care infographic below for a breakdown of the key market dynamics and opportunities shaping product development this season. No matter what stage in the product life cycle you’re in, our expert team is here to help you create tailored solutions for all hair textures, lengths, and styles for refreshed, healthy hair and scalp!

https://www.plzcorp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PLZ-Personal-Care-Skin-Care-Inspired-Ingredients-Shaping-Hair-Care-Innovation-Infographic-FINAL-1.pdf

The transition from one year to the next brings fresh opportunities in personal care. For brands aiming to stay ahead of the curve, understanding the emerging trends shaping consumer preferences is critical to staying competitive.

This article highlights five key product development trends redefining personal care in 2025 and offers pro tips for diversifying your product offerings to bring these consumer desires to life.

1. Multi-Tasking in Skin Care

Minimalist routines are gaining popularity as consumers seek multifunctional products that combine simplicity and efficacy. According to Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist quoted in Allure Magazine, “There’s been a shift towards more minimalist routines involving multifunctional products that are just as effective [as using multiple products].”

This push has consumers seeking dual-purpose products that deliver multiple benefits without compromising on efficacy. Adding to their appeal, multifunctional products offer cost-saving advantages, which is an important factor for consumers in the face of economic uncertainty.

Examples of multitasking formulations that can elevate products to a new level include SPF-infused wrinkle treatments and concealers, as well as moisturizers featuring built-in brightening agents. The addition of advanced ingredient technologies, such as encapsulation or time-release formulations, can be another differentiator to set products apart.

Pro Tip #1 – Partnering with a contract manufacturer experienced in creating a variety of high-performance personal care formulations – from body to facial care – offers the versatility required to capitalize on this trend.

2. The Continued Surge of Sunscreen

There’s heightened demand for sunscreen formulas that can be integrated into other skin care products, blending both UVA/UVB protection and skin-nourishing benefits. Emerging technologies such as mineral-based sunscreens and environmentally friendly UV filters are gaining traction as well. Such eco-friendly options enable brands to differentiate by emphasizing eco-conscious packaging and reef-safe formulations to meet consumer demand for environmentally responsible options.

New sunscreen formulations are also increasingly embracing diversity and individuality. We’ve seen a proliferation of new and enhanced options for every type of skin tone and need, with limitless formulation and packaging options, including aerosols, serums, pump sprays, drops, trigger sprays, bag-on-valve (BOV), whipped, lotions, face and body sticks to meet varying scenarios.

Pro Tip #2 – When seeking a contract manufacturing partner to help in the product development process for sunscreen, it’s important to choose OTC-certified sites that can ensure products meet the highest quality standards.

3. Body Care Takes Center Stage

Body care is stepping further into the spotlight, with many new products adopting the sophistication that was traditionally reserved for facial skin care. This has opened the door for luxurious, spa-inspired offerings in everything from body lotions to body washes. Think exfoliating body scrubs with AHAs or serums targeting cellulite and uneven texture; formulas featuring retinoids and barrier-repair components for rejuvenation; and the addition of actives to improve texture, tone, and hydration.

This trend also brings the realization that different body parts may require varying actives or strengths based on sensitivity and thickness of the skin—resulting in the rise of more targeted solutions. As a result, consumers are opting to upgrade their routines to address a variety of concerns, treating their neck, hands, arms, and legs with the same care they give their faces.

Pro Tip #3 – Offering targeted solutions for various body concerns can help brands tap into this elevated approach to body care. Seek a contract manufacturing partner with expansive skin care capabilities, backed by a broad range of packaging expertise and end-to-end support.

4. Skinification of Hair Care

Skincare-inspired trends are continuing to make their way into the world of hair care. The “skinification” movement has resulted in the addition of active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and collagen into everything from basic shampoos to treatment masks. This pursuit of smoother, shinier, and more moisturized hair has driven the rise of products focused on hair and scalp health.

Popular applications include texturizing sprays and volumizing solutions with added keratin or amino acids; scalp treatments to promote hair growth and shine, such pre-shampoo serums or overnight scalp masks; and hybrid products that merge hair styling and care, such as leave-in conditioners with UV protection or anti-frizz sprays with nourishing oils.

Pro Tip #4 – Collaborating with a manufacturer skilled in combining skin care and hair care technologies is vital for brands aiming to lead in this space.

5. Self-Care is Here to Stay

Self-care is another driving force in personal care, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. According to Larissa Jensen, Circana’s Senior Vice President and Global Beauty Industry Advisor, “One of the biggest trends that will impact the beauty industry in years to come is the rising importance of self-care.”

To tap into this, brands are developing products that combine aromatherapy with functional benefits, such as stress-relief lotions or calming face masks. They’re also creating multi-sensory experiences for customers through innovative textures and scents, such as whipped body butters with calming lavender or invigorating citrus notes, as well as incorporating wellness-oriented marketing to appeal to consumers seeking holistic self-care solutions.

Pro Tip #5: Pair wellness-focused marketing with innovative textures and formulations to captivate the self-care market.

Partnering with Personal Care Solutions for Success

Navigating these trends requires expertise in formulation, ingredient sourcing, and product development. As a market-leading specialty aerosol and liquid product manufacturer of personal care products, PLZ Personal Care Solutions is here to help, offering the latest innovations and solutions to bring these trends to life.

No matter where you are in your process, and no matter what business you are in, we have a full range of services to help you design, manufacture, or deliver your product — or we can handle it all. We formulate, blend, fill, and package a variety of skin care, hair care, men’s grooming, multicultural hair care, and over the counter solutions in our five manufacturing sites across the United States and Canada.

Let’s create the future of personal care together. Contact us today to learn more.

PLZ Personal Care Solutions embraces this transition, helping leading brands develop innovative skin care solutions for hydrated, youthful, and radiant skin. Whether you are looking to incorporate hydration, exfoliation, or protection from the elements, our capabilities and expertise ensure your products are designed to thrive in winter’s toughest conditions.

Download our Winter Skin Care for the Changing Seasons infographic for expert insights and actionable tips on refreshing your product line-up to meet the season’s skin care challenges with confidence—emphasizing hydration, exfoliation, and protection from the harsh chill.

These days it’s hard to go through the personal care section of a store or scroll through social media without seeing an advertisement for a deodorant or antiperspirant. The tried-and-true personal care staple has morphed into a dynamic, sophisticated product category that is more diverse than ever. There are aluminum-free offerings for your underarms, whole body options for all-over care, and travel-size sprays to pack for on-the-go emergencies; the list goes on.

Along with this market diversification comes growth. According to Mintel’s US Bodycare and Deodorant Market Report 2024, the body care and antiperspirant/deodorant market segment is projected to reach $9.54 billion in 2024 and an estimated $10.49 billion by 2029.

So, what has caused this expansion and what does it mean for the future of product development in the personal care market? In this article, we explore four key trends fueling growth in the antiperspirant and deodorant industry and offer formulation and product development tips for personal care brands looking to broaden their product line-ups.

Skincare Redefines Underarm Care

The “skinification” trend has gained significant momentum in recent years with skin care actives being integrated into a wide range of personal care categories. This movement allows consumers to extend their skin care routines beyond their face, creating exciting opportunities for product diversification across the personal care industry.

In the antiperspirant and deodorant category, skin care ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides are now being added for hydration and moisture retention, while Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) is being added to support the skin barrier and help reduce inflammation.

A notable example is Dove’s Vitamincare+ deodorant, which the brand describes as “skincare for underarms.” The aluminum-free formula is designed to restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier, reduce dryness, and promote a more even skin tone.

This popular focus has also spurred the development of multi-functional deodorants. Innovations like armpit detox masks and moisturizing oils or sprays are all the rave, offering consumers new ways to combat body odor while caring for their skin.

Clean Ingredients Shape the Future of Deodorants and Antiperspirants

With consumers’ large appetite for products touting natural ingredients and offering transparency, it’s no surprise to see this same trend playing out in the antiperspirant and deodorant industry as well. Just take a walk down any body care aisle and you will see a subcategory of all-natural antiperspirants and deodorants available from both new market players and traditional brands alike.

To meet this demand, manufacturers are adding plant-based and natural ingredients, such as baking soda, charcoal, cocoa butter, and essential oils. Consumers are also increasingly turning away from traditional antiperspirants that use active ingredients, such as aluminum and aluminum salts to temporarily block sweat pores, and instead turning toward deodorants that are formulated to eliminate odor but not perspiration.

New Formats and Whole-Body Deodorants Expand Beyond Sticks

There’s been a proliferation of formats in the antiperspirant and deodorant market as well. From creams and gels to pastes and wipes, this expanding variety of application methods offer differing product attributes and claims aimed at enhancing the user experience.

Among the many choices on the market today, whole-body deodorants have emerged as a product category that is taking off in a huge way. According to an article in Vox, major players, including Secret, Dove, Old Spice, and Native, have launched whole-body products in many formats since the start of 2024.

Sprays are making a comeback too, with brands refreshing their product line-ups to include more modern designs and showcase the convenience and portability that the format delivers. Think about the ease of packing your deodorant spray in your gym bag, purse, or locker for an on-the-go pleasant scent all day long.

Sustainability Drives Innovation in Deodorant Formulations and Packaging

Personal care brands are continuing to adapt to sustainability requirements, which have many antiperspirant and deodorant manufacturers laser-focused on developing eco-friendly formulation and packaging options.

As such, we’re seeing an explosion of options promoting plant-based and plastic-free properties. Many brands are also ditching traditional plastic tube packaging for zero-waste packaging. Instead, biodegradable packaging, refillable containers, and recyclable cardboard tubes are becoming common packaging options for antiperspirant and deodorants sticks, with many pastes and creams packaged in glass jars that can be recycled or reused and repurposed when empty.

PLZ Personal Care Solutions: Your Contract Manufacturing Partner for Deodorant and Antiperspirant Innovation

In a landscape as dynamic as today’s deodorant and antiperspirant market, there’s a level of contract manufacturing expertise required to get a product to market as smoothly and seamlessly as possible. For brands looking to identify the best partner, this requires valuable research, superior formulations, and excellent operational support.

Whether it’s formulating with natural ingredients, developing eco-friendly packaging, or creating personalized options, PLZ Personal Care Solutions is proud to offer our partners the confidence that every product with their brand’s name on it is up to the standards customers expect. We work closely with customers to turn their product ideas into reality throughout the entire process of product development including finding the right formulations, manufacturing processes, packaging solutions, and unique/custom solutions.

No matter where you are in your process, and no matter what your business is, let us help you bring your personal care innovations to life – together. Leverage our full range of contact manufacturing services to design, manufacture, and deliver deodorant and antiperspirant products that feel good, look good, and which your customers will champion.

Contact PLZ Personal Care Solutions to learn more about our R&D expertise and contract manufacturing services. www.plzcorp.com/contact-us.

PLZ Personal Care Solutions experts understand the ins and outs of developing hair care solutions for every texture, length, and hue of hair. With a wide range of options that span from natural formulations to ethically-sourced ingredients, a partnership with PLZ Personal Care Solutions gives you the reach to create industry-dominating hair care products that ensure beautiful locks.

Download our Summer Hair Care Essentials infographic for a breakdown of the latest product development trends and opportunities for ensuring healthy and stylish hair all summer long.

In the dynamic personal care industry where consumer preferences are continually evolving and businesses are constantly facing new challenges, success largely depends on the ability to adapt. The most popular brands are often the ones that take calculated risks, are willing to be adventurous and try new things, and are not afraid to pivot when necessary. By reimagining product formulation to fit emerging requirements, these brands create products that maintain relevance and resonate with modern consumer demand.

In this article, we detail four focus areas that are key to driving product innovation in today’s personal care industry, offering advice for navigating the complexities of the market and adapting offerings to position your brand for success.

With consumers looking more holistically at the bigger picture, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices have become a major factor steering innovation. Retailers have also become instrumental drivers of advancements in sustainability and ESG performance.

To address this, there’s a focus on using more sustainable and responsible sourcing, less additives, more environmentally friendly packaging, and on quality over quantity. Brands are promoting natural ingredients to meet consumer demand. They are also thinking creatively, reinventing traditional staples such as bath and shower products, facial skin care, and deodorants into cubes, powders, and bars to save water. When it comes to packaging, many are opting out of plastic, seeking alternative options such as recyclable cardboard and aluminum.

New options for raw materials, such as silicone replacements and surfactants, along with innovative packaging and delivery systems are constantly emerging. This has given product formulators and research and development (R&D) professionals a wider palette for creating personal care formulations, allowing suppliers to push the envelope on creative materials usage.

Bag-on-valve technology provides a great example. The barrier technology system, which is used inside a spray container to separate the propellant from the product inside, is being increasingly adopted industrywide. In addition to offering many environmental benefits, the pressurized system delivers continuous spray from any direction to achieve an even coat, ensuring the product dispenses easily all the way to the bottom of the container. This makes it ideal for products including sunscreens, shave gels, makeup setting mists, and more. It’s also a great solution to dispense viscous substances that are too thick for pump bottles, such as moisturizing lotion, caulk, or pancake batter.

Across the globe, governmental regulatory pressures are compelling transformations in product formulations and packaging. Retailers are also getting together and creating more standardized internal processes, providing guidance primarily around environmental and safety concerns.

Examples such as the amendment to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Consumer Products Regulation offer great insight into the arduous task of navigating and aligning with the diverse rules and regulations of different states and countries. For production/design managers, R&D personnel, heads of product development, and brand managers manufacturing hair spray products sold in the U.S., the amendment to reduce VOC limits for hairspray products from 55% to 50% required brand owners to move quickly to evaluate and refine their formulations to avoid significant losses. Seasoned formulary experts can offer guidance to brands based on known chemical and material interactions, in addition to knowledge about the personal care market, hair care products in particular, packaging, pricing, and marketing considerations.

In today’s volatile economic environment, inflation looms as pressing concerns. At the same time, the intricate web of supply chain issues continues to impede the availability of essential materials. This uncertainty has fueled customers to not only seek innovative solutions but has heightened the emphasis on value—a dimension that held relatively less importance in the past.

As a result, product efficacy and size have become major considerations—forcing many brands to move away from big volume products and toward making smaller, more efficacious products. Due to our vast network and geographic strength, PLZ Personal Care Solutions has helped many brands leverage reformulations to address economic challenges and find alternatives for overcoming supply chain and labor setbacks.

In closing, product innovation is crucial for brands to maintain relevance in the ever-evolving world of personal care, which is a main reason why R&D is the driving force at PLZ Personal Care Solutions. Our customers value our willingness to try something difficult and our flexibility to help them realize their vision, and our manufacturing is what brings those ideas to fruition. We have the flexibility and determination to go the extra mile in fulfilling our customers’ desires, with a unique approach that involves implementing cutting-edge systems and technical services capable of supporting the diverse demands of any market. We combine this with invaluable research, exceptional formulations, and steadfast operational support, ensuring that products reach the market seamlessly and efficiently.

We are proud to be a valued business partner, helping customers push the boundaries of innovation to create products that sell through the market’s ups and downs, and twists and turns. We thrive on embracing such challenging opportunities, and it’s within this nurturing environment that superior product development truly flourishes.

Contact PLZ Personal Care Solutions to learn more about our R&D expertise and product innovation. www.plzcorp.com/contact-us.

At PLZ Personal Care Solutions, we specialize in partnering with brands to continually create new personal care and beauty products that meet the needs of their ever-evolving customer base. For this reason, we have our fingertips on the pulse on the latest product development and market drivers—helping the brands that people love, and those they’ll soon discover, ride the waves of change through constant product innovation.

In today’s competitive retail environment, consumers are more educated about the impacts of ingredients on their skin and hair, and they’re much more interested in new formulations that address their specific concerns. They want to buy products that keep pace with science on both the health and wellness and environmental fronts. They also expect to find products tailored to their diverse needs.

This desire for more natural, personalized choices in personal care dates back several years. With the COVID-19 pandemic, people were forced to stay home, attempt DIY beauty regimes and solutions, and rethink their relationships with the products they buy. In addition, personal responsibility for consumption and reducing waste rose to top of mind. These factors trickled into consumer awareness and purchasing behaviors.

Secrets to Driving Personal Care Innovation and Success

With these factors in mind, what’s the secret to keeping your product line fresh and relevant, even as “relevance” continues to change?

Why PLZ Personal Care Solutions?

Our customers find that working with PLZ Personal Care Solutions is their best bet to stay on top of these and other factors affecting the success or failure of their personal care products. This is because, first and foremost, we are experts in formulation. We also provide packaging that not only works and sells but raises the bar to exceed consumers’ desire for new and innovative dispensing capabilities for the products they love.

Adding to this, we pay close attention to the little things – as well as the big ones – to make every product special for every client. We work with some brilliant entrepreneurs, with fantastic ideas – and we help them successfully bring their brainstorms to market through our unmatched service. We also stay on top of regulatory changes and material resources so that we can help guide our customers on compliance, supply chain dynamics, and steady sourcing to maintain production through the fluctuations in today’s volatile global environment.

In closing, no matter where you are in your product development, production, or merchandising process, PLZ Personal Care Solutions offers the expertise you need to evaluate all the variables. We operate as partners—helping you design your products from the start and bring them all the way to market.

Whether you are looking to freshen your brand with new formulations, speed your sourcing and production timelines, or address emerging consumer needs and expectations, you can always rely on PLZ. Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to discuss “what’s new” with your PLZ Personal Care Solutions representative. Contact us to connect!

The Power of Seasonal Scents in Personal Care 
Before we delve into business and product development opportunities, let’s consider the allure of seasonal scents. Our sense of smell is deeply tied to our emotions and memories, making fragrances a potent tool for invoking feelings of comfort, nostalgia, and joy. When people encounter a familiar seasonal scent, such as a blend of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, mixed with pumpkin flavoring, it creates a warm, comforting aroma that’s reminiscent of homemade pumpkin pies and other fall treats. This conjures images of cozy autumn evenings, family gatherings, and cherished traditions. 

Moreover, seasonal scents tap into our desire for novelty. Humans are wired to seek out new experiences, and seasonal products offer a limited-time opportunity to indulge in something different. The anticipation of seasonal releases adds an element of excitement and exclusivity to these products, making consumers more eager to try them. 

Creating Seasonal Personal Care Products 
While crafting personal care products with seasonal scents is a delicate art, it offers the opportunity for brands to extend product offerings and increase consumer sales. In fact, according to Mintel Group Ltd., “the ability to smell a product in-store is often a top-cited purchase driver.” 

To ensure success, these products must not only offer a captivating fragrance but also provide effective and gentle care for the skin, hair, and body. This is where contract manufacturing partners with expertise in formulation and production become invaluable. 

Conclusion 
Changing seasons always inspire consumers to crave scents and sensations they associate with certain memories – offering rich opportunities for brands to introduce new products evoking positive, emotional connections. Get ready to launch your own seasonal personal care product offering (or refresh your established brand) by partnering with PLZ Personal Care. Our specialized knowledge and innovation in formulation, filling, packaging, and quality assurance is pivotal in ensuring the success of our customers’ products. 

So, as the seasons change, and the demand for seasonal personal care products grows, you can count on PLZ Personal Care. Together, we can infuse the magic of the season into every bottle, jar, or package, delighting customers and fostering brand loyalty year after year. 

Let’s talk about getting your product to market! Contact us at www.plzcorp.com/contact-us.  

Once relegated to emergency touchups, dry shampoo has become a popular go-to essential in consumers’ personal care arsenals. Market growth is being driven by changing lifestyles and turbo-charged by e-commerce and social media. Brands are expanding opportunities and fueling sales by offering diverse formulations and niche products, such as herbal and natural or color-safe options, for example.

When it comes to packaging for dry shampoo, the packaging doubles as a delivery mechanism, intrinsically tied to the product’s composition, viscosity, ingredients and other characteristics. With chemistry, physics, material science and geometry intricately entwined, the contents, container and dispenser must all be carefully matched and tested. As such, special product/package requirements and important regulatory guardrails associated with aerosols and ingredients must be considered.

In our Packaging Technology Today article, PLZ Personal Care’s Chi Le, Senior Director R&D, and Ian Fishman, Vice President Innovation & New Business Development, provide an overview of the special product/packaging requirements for dry shampoos, with a focus on the influence of consumer drivers and preferences. The article also offers important guidelines for developing and packaging dry shampoo products for the personal care market.

To learn more, read the “Package and Product Design as One” article in the September 2023 issue of Packaging Technology Today.

Access the full article here.