The Ingredient Edit | Dubai chocolate, honey myrtle, banana, and next-gen retinol

Beauty is evolving. It’s no longer solely defined by appearance, but by the way it resonates with consumers on an emotional and sensory level.

The growing popularity of natural, nostalgic, and multi-sensory ingredients is reshaping the concept of beauty, emphasising not just looking good but feeling even better.

From skincare inspired by confectionary to a plant-based retinol alternative, the key beauty trends of 2025 are about comfort, consciousness, and creativity.

Let’s explore the natural ingredients driving innovation across skincare, haircare, and wellness, and how they’re transforming the future of beauty…

The rise of Dubai chocolate and pistachio beauty

2025’s hottest treat is rewriting indulgence as a beauty statement. Inspired by FIX Dessert’s viral Dubai Chocolate, a luscious blend of pistachio, milk chocolate, and knafeh, brands are now tapping into the rich textures and decadent notes of this trend for skincare and fragrance innovation.

Pistachio oil, once niche, is booming. Its unique blend of fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E makes it ideal for rich creams, indulgent body oils, and hair masks that provide nutrition with a sweet, nutty scent. This, combined with skin-soothing cocoa butter, could create a formulation that’s comforting, conditioning, and TikTok-worthy.

The buzz behind honey in skincare

Honey is no longer just a sweet treat, it’s a symbol of sustainability, rich in meaning, and backed by science. As beauty brands come under growing pressure to prioritise ethical sourcing and reduce their environmental impact, honey-derived ingredients are standing out in innovative beauty formulations.

Google searches for ‘is honey good for your skin’ jumped 60% year on year in 2025 (Cosmetics Business).

Honey myrtle essential oil offers the benefits of honey (antibacterial, soothing, hydrating). It is antimicrobial, balancing, and smells great, ideal for sensitive skin and wellness rituals.

The success of brands like Gisou has spotlighted honey as a mission from bee welfare to community education, and honey in beauty now represents transparency, traceability, and transformative care.

Banana-infused everything

Banana is now being reimagined in beauty as a symbol of softness, comfort, and emotional connection.

At O&3, we believe that banana infused in sunflower oil, a velvety, vitamin-rich combination that wraps skin in nourishment, perfectly taps into this trend. It has a subtle scent, not too sweet, not too ‘tropical,’ and perfect for gender-inclusive, sensory-first formulations.

The banana trend taps into comfort luxury, products that feel personal, indulgent, and calming. And with brands like Prada and Marc Jacobs introducing banana notes in their recent launches, it shows that this trend is both playful and premium.

Next-gen natural retinol, Bakuchiol Salicylate

Bakuchiol has been a go-to for natural retinol alternatives, but 2025 is about elevating plant performance. Bakuchiol Salicylate (aka Bakusylan) is a next-gen molecule fusing bakuchiol’s anti-ageing properties with salicylic acid’s pore-purifying action.

Early studies show it boosts collagen production while delivering a gentler exfoliation, providing better penetration, longer shelf-life, and a reduced irritation risk.

As stricter EU regulations cap retinol concentrations, this oil-soluble, time-release ingredient is gaining traction in serums, creams, and even masks.

With the bakuchiol market expected to hit $17.5M by 2033 (Cosmetics Business), this evolution could carve out a new niche, targeting both acne and ageing with one clean, plant-based compound.

O&3 thoughts…

Consumers are no longer just looking for results, they want stories, textures, and values that align with their lifestyle and identity. Whether it’s the trending richness of pistachio and chocolate, the purposeful purity of honey myrtle, the soft comfort of banana-infused oil, or the smart innovation behind bakuchiol salicylate, each ingredient leads towards a future where natural doesn’t mean basic, and performance doesn’t mean compromise. Beauty is becoming more intentional, emotional, and ingredient-led than ever before.