The category spans exosomes, one of the most talked-about ingredients in anti-aging skin care, and salmon DNA (PDRN), already present in masks, serums and hair care. Susca backs the trend from experience: a recent facial in Korea using these regenerative elements impressed her, and she found Korea has used them in its products for decades.

Dr. Nakhla's own brand is built on the same principles. Eighth Day products feature "our patented Peptide-Rich Plasm technology, a proprietary complex of 24 bioidentical peptides, amino acids, and growth factors that mimics the skin's own ability to renew, restore, and regenerate and is the foundation of everything we make," he says.

Ingredient Literacy

Both experts report growing consumer demand to know exactly what goes on the skin — and skepticism toward marketing claims.

"Consumers are losing patience with 10-step routines and single-ingredient fads; they want fewer products that actually work. A disciplined, consistent routine with the right formulations will always outperform a complicated one," Dr. Nakhla says.

Susca dedicates part of her facial sessions to client education and warns against falling for marketing gimmicks. "Marketing is a huge industry, and just because something touts an incredible peptide or something new doesn't necessarily mean there's enough of it in the product to have a measurable difference on the skin. Concentration and the delivery system matter more than the cool new ingredient itself," she says.

Delivery matters as much as the ingredient list itself. "You can have something that's absolutely amazing, but if it cannot penetrate the layers of the skin in a measurable percentage, then what use is it? More important than trending products is choosing a tailored routine that benefits your skin type and lifestyle. I think many brands are delivering on this by optimizing results through topical application and cutting-edge science," Susca adds.

Hydration and Barrier Repair

Hydration anchors every fall routine, regardless of skin type — especially ahead of the texture- and complexion-correcting treatments that follow in winter.

"I start introducing richer hydration and barrier repair before the corrective treatments that come after. Once the skin is deeply cleansed and the barrier is restored, we can pave the way for stronger and more reparative actives like retinols and peels to be reintroduced," says Susca.

The sequence matters because seasonal dehydration compounds fast. The skin loses moisture "because we're going from a time of high humidity to much, much lower humidity, adding to the drying effects of indoor heating. Initial dehydration is what leads to more aggressive sensitivity, tightness, and compromised barrier," she explains.

The target products are those aimed to "rescue distressed skin and restore structural integrity" through ingredients that boost firmness, suppleness and revitalization.

For brands and retailers, the takeaway is clear: biotech actives, transparent formulation and barrier-first positioning are the three signals experts say will drive fall skin care purchasing — and consumers who read labels carefully will reward the products that can prove their claims.