The Tamesis
Whenever someone asks me how I’m doing, the only thing that comes to my mind is “I’m tired.” I then joked that I needed to find something funnier to say, but the truth is I was exhausted – and so was pretty much everyone else.
A study conducted in 2023 showed that just over 20% of adults suffer from chronic fatigue for approximately six months or less. Fast forward to 2025, and Glassdoor named “fatigue” its word of the year. If 2025 was the year of protein and rebuilding strength, 2026 will turn in the other direction and regain momentum: this will be the year of finding energy.
This isn’t just wishful thinking, nor is it consistent with the numerology predictions that 2026 will be the year of a massive reset—McKinsey & Company’s 2024 Health Report estimates the industry is worth $480 billion in the U.S. alone, growing 5% to 10% annually. Experts believe that health is becoming a larger category in beauty, and everyone is most interested in ways to improve their health. “Better availability of comprehensive test panels is increasingly increasing longevity, so it will be interesting to see how this affects the categories of products and services available,” said Anna Pione, a partner at McKinsey & Company. “Overall, we think this is an area of continued interest among consumers.”
Market research platform Spate adds that ‘energy’ and ‘focus’ are the leading wellness trends that will be on everyone’s radar next year. “These signals reflect continued consumer interest in products that support performance, mental clarity and everyday function,” said Spat beauty analyst Jenny Zeng.
Ingredients to watch out for
In addition to daily healthy habits, supplements and certain ingredients are key to boosting our energy levels. When it comes to ingredients and supplements, experts predict there are several ingredients that will have everyone’s attention (if they haven’t already). The three main ingredients include:
Creatine
In the past, you might have thought that creatine, a natural compound found in our muscles and brains, was only for fitness bros. The compound is a well-known energy booster with numerous benefits, primarily helping athletes with strength training and performance (“It’s been incredibly well-researched and plays a key role in how our cells metabolize energy,” Michelle Cardel, PhD, MS, RD, chief nutrition officer at Weight Watchers, once told us Fashion. “It can help build muscle mass and has been shown to improve athletic performance.”) and cognitive performance.
Experts say that by 2026, creatine will be everywhere. According to Spate data, consumer interest in creatine increased by 21.5 million year-on-year and is expected to increase by 47.8% year-on-year next year.
L-theanine
The many health benefits of green tea are well known, so it’s no surprise that supplements with green tea as the main ingredient will be a major focus next year. L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea that is said to relieve anxiety, enhance focus, and boost immunity.
While there is some evidence to support these claims, research is still limited and more research is needed. But that hasn’t stopped interest in the ingredient. According to Spate, interest in L-theanine increased by 7.4 million and is expected to grow by 26.2%.
Coenzyme A+
“Longevity” is one of the many health buzzwords of 2025, and NAD+ was and continues to be the go-to ingredient for anyone looking to live longer, healthier lives. Benefits include DNA repair, maintaining a healthy metabolism, and fighting signs of skin aging.
According to Spate, interest in NAD supplements rose to 5.8 million (400.9% year-over-year growth) and is expected to grow 30.3% in 2026.
Therefore, we look forward to a dynamic year. I know I absolutely need it.
Is there a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! send Fashion’Senior Beauty & Wellness Editor Email [email protected].
