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With social media fueling today\u2019s skin-care trends, not every viral ingredient or product is necessarily the most effective\u2014just the most searched. Recently, Spate analyzed Google search data from 2024 to 2025 to identify which ingredients saw the biggest spikes in interest. The ones below experienced the most notable year-over-year growth, and we tapped experts to weigh in on which are truly worth adding to your routine.<\/p>\n
The top ingredient, hypochlorous acid, saw more than a 19.7K increase in Google searches year over year. It\u2019s an interesting one: an antimicrobial compound that can be used as a disinfectant. While it may offer some soothing and antimicrobial benefits for skin, experts note that its instability can make it inconsistent in skin care. \u201cWhen freshly generated, hypochlorous acid can reduce microbial load, but it\u2019s also not an FDA-approved antimicrobial or anti-acne ingredient for skin care,\u201d says cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos. If you\u2019re interested in trying it, cosmetic chemists Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu recommend storing it in the fridge to help preserve its shelf life.<\/p>\n
Products to try: <\/strong>BRIOTECH Topical Skin Spray ($14); Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray ($28)<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a class of ingredients that promotes skin repair and collagen support. Many growth factors are peptides,\u201d Fu and Lu say of the term, which is up 18.2K in searches. Cosmetic chemist Ginger King adds that ingredients like epidermal growth factors and exosomes are best suited for regenerative uses, such as enhancing wound healing, making them a strong option in post-procedure products.<\/p>\n Products to try: <\/strong>The Ordinary GF 15% Solution ($16); SkinMedica Post-Procedure Repair Complex ($185)<\/p>\n \u201cTallow is rendered animal fat composed primarily of triglycerides with fatty acids,\u201d says Dobos. \u201cIt\u2019s a thick, greasy material that acts as an emollient, smoothing and moisturizing the skin,\u201d she says, noting that there\u2019s not necessarily evidence that it performs better than other well\u2011studied, more consistent emollients. While it\u2019s not necessarily harmful, Fu and Lu recommend sticking to other occlusives with more research, like petrolatum, cocoa butter, shea butter (also on this list) and lanolin. Whatever you do, don\u2019t listen to the trends telling you to use it as a sunscreen, warns King.<\/p>\n Rice has been used in skin care for centuries in Asia and is often praised for its brightening effects, says King. Over the past year, products featuring rice water and rice enzymes have grown in popularity, as K-beauty has put a spotlight on the ingredient and its potential to help brighten dull-looking skin.<\/p>\n Products to try: <\/strong>Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant ($69); Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Powder Cleanser ($20)<\/p>\n Honey has long been a popular skin-care ingredient, but lately the manuka variety in particular has been getting more buzz. Manuka is a special grade of honey with data supporting its skin-calming and acne-fighting benefits, says King. It\u2019s also believed to offer antimicrobial properties and help boost radiance.<\/p>\n Products to try: <\/strong>Flamingo Estate Manuka Rich Cream ($48); Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm<\/p>\n \u201cWith the rise of K-beauty, it makes sense that ginseng\u2019s popularity is also on the rise,\u201d says Fu and Lu. King adds that ginseng works well as a skin energizer and radiance booster. Fu and Lu also note that some vegan PDRNs are derived from ginseng.<\/p>\n Products to try: <\/strong>Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Serum ($215); Origins GinZing Energizing Rich Cream ($39)<\/p>\n This bee byproduct is often used for its anti-inflammatory benefits and its ability to help create a glass-skin effect, says King. Still, the ingredient isn\u2019t exactly new. \u201cSeriously, what year is it?\u201d Fu and Lu ask when told propolis is up more than 89 percent in Google searches.<\/p>\n Products to try: <\/strong>COSRX Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner ($29); Epicuren Brazilian Propolis Mist ($40)<\/p>\n \u201cShea butter is a wonderful, nourishing occlusive that can, depending on the sourcing, fit a wide range of skin-care applications,\u201d say Fu and Lu. It\u2019s a rich emollient found in creams, lotions and lip balms to help soften skin, adds Dobos, who mentions it\u2019s known for its moisturizing and soothing benefits\u2014especially for dry, sensitive skin. Though shea butter has long been a staple in cosmetic formulations, Dobos points out that \u201cethical sourcing and partnerships with West African cooperatives have increased visibility of shea as a socially responsible ingredient.\u201d<\/p>\n Products to try: <\/strong>Chemist Confessions Balm Voyage Soothing Occlusives Moisturizer <\/strong>($33); L\u2019Occitane Soothing Karit\u00e9 Confort Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream ($52)<\/p>\n Noni is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia used in skin care for its anti-inflammatory benefits and barrier-supporting properties, says King. A go-to ingredient for model Miranda Kerr, noni is known as a powerful antioxidant when consumed and can also help boost skin\u2019s radiance when applied topically.<\/p>\n Products to try: <\/strong>Celimax The Real Noni Energy Ampoule ($26); Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil ($77)<\/p>\n Collagen is a structural protein in the skin that naturally declines over time, but applying it topically doesn\u2019t do much beyond moisturize, says King. \u201cWhile collagen is a key component in skin aging, collagen as an ingredient isn\u2019t very useful topically. The molecule is very large and cannot be absorbed through the skin. At most, it can provide minor hydration benefits,\u201d add Fu and Lu. Instead, experts suggest looking for products\u2014or foods\u2014that help support collagen production rather than simply featuring collagen on the ingredient list.<\/p>\n Products to try: <\/strong>Neutrogena Collagen Bank Moisturizer ($23); Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream ($20)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nGrowth Factor<\/strong>s<\/h2>\n
Tallow<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Rice<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Manuka Honey<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Ginseng<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Propolis<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Shea Butter<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Noni<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Collagen<\/strong><\/h2>\n