These were the UK's biggest skin concerns last year

Rosacea, blackheads and hyperpigmentation have topped a list of the biggest skin concerns in 2021, while salicylic acid was the most popular skincare ingredient.  

UK consumers searched for “rosacea” online 90,500 each month in 2021, says Lookfantastic’s 2021 Skinfluencer Report, suggesting it was the nation’s biggest skincare concern of 2021. “Blackheads” came in second, with an average of 60,500 monthly searches, and in third place was “hyperpigmentation”, which had 33,100 monthly searches.

The top 10 skin concern searches were:

• “Rosacea” – 90,500 searches 
• “Blackheads” – 60,500
• “Hyperpigmentation” – 33,100
• “Acne scars” – 18,100
• “Skin redness spots” – 14,800
• “Undereye bags” – 12,100
• “Hormonal acne” – 9,900
• “Dry skin” – 9,900
• “Wrinkles” – 8,100
• “Skin pigmentation” – 6,600

Meanwhile, the Report also looked at the year’s most popular skincare ingredients. 

There were 74,000 monthly searches each month for salicylic acid and 22,200 for its acid family “BHA” (beta hydroxy acid), bringing it up to the top of the list. 

Hyaluronic acid came next with 60,500 searches, closely by vitamin C at 49,500. The full top 10 list is as follows:

• “Salicylic acid” – 74,000
• “Hyaluronic acid” – 60,500
• “Vitamin C” – 49,500
• “Niacinamide” – 49,500 
• “Retinol” – 49,500
• “Benzoyl peroxide” – 40,500
• “Azelaic acid” – 40,500
• “AHA” – 33,100 
• “Lactic acid” – 27,100  
• “BHA” – 22,000

 

In terms of cosmetic surgery, a separate report revealed that hair transplant was the most sought-after procedure in the UK in 2021.