Cosmmelier: Introduction

Dear readers of in-cosmetics Connect, today I want to introduce you to “Cosmmelier” (Cosmetics + Sommelier), a new recurring column that will combine some of my passions: cosmetics, coffee, and wine.

I am Colombian, a cosmetic chemist, and a tireless taster of aromas and textures by vocation. I grew up near the coffee-growing mountains of my country, exploring the immense diversity of sensory profiles that Colombian coffee offers: chocolatey, floral, fruity, and spicy notes, which are also common in wine.

Coffee and wine allow us to tell stories through the senses, just like cosmetics. Therefore, I invite you to open a bottle of wine from your favorite region or grape variety and join us on this journey through the intersection of cosmetic and wine trends.

The wine industry is experiencing a growing trend: the revival of nearly forgotten ancient grape varieties to bring new nuances, freshness, and acidity - qualities affected by global warming.

High temperatures accelerate ripening, resulting in grapes with more sugar and less acidity, which brings harvests forward and produces wines that are more alcoholic and less fresh. For this reason, wine archaeology is gaining traction.

Gonfaus, an ancestral grape variety from Catalonia, is resurfacing due to its uniqueness and resilience. In France, Calitor reappeared a few years ago in rosé and light red wines. In Australia, Crouchen, a nearly lost white grape variety, stands out, still producing light and fruity wines.

Just as ancestral grape varieties are making a comeback in wine, the number of people seeking to reverse surgeries and treatments to regain their original appearance is also on the rise. This trend reflects a cultural shift toward authenticity and emotional well-being, driven by the desire to restore natural facial harmony and correct aesthetic excesses.

Among the most requested procedures are breast implant removal, filler dissolution, botox spacing and correction of overly pronounced rhinoplasties. Public figures like Courteney Cox, Blac Chyna and Megan Hilty have contributed to the movement by sharing their experiences. In cosmetics, this trend is driving skinimalism: fewer products, more naturalness, emphasizing that the power lies in showing yourself as you are, without visible additional enhancements. Unretouched is the new black.

A recent publication from coviman.es points out that millennials are transforming wine communication by rejecting technical jargon and formality.

They prefer clear descriptions, human stories, and accessible labels, prompting wineries to simplify their messaging and focus on sustainability and emotions. They seek wines that are easy to understand and drink, forcing the sector to adopt a more approachable, visual, and direct language to authentically connect with them as today's new consumers.

Millennials have established themselves as a generation that rejects solemnity, technical jargon, and unnecessary complexity, seeking clear, accessible, and emotionally relevant products and narratives.

In the wine industry, wineries are creating a simpler language to connect with these consumers. Inspired by this transformation, cosmetic brands can follow a similar path: simplifying the biochemical language of skincare without sacrificing rigor, translating complex mechanisms into understandable messages that address real needs. We could soon see labels that prioritize benefits over molecules, stories over technical terms, and science presented with clarity, leading cosmetics toward more transparent, educational, and scientifically simple communication for today's consumers.

The global wine tourism market was valued at nearly US$46 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.8% through 2032, driven by demand for high-quality wine experiences and products. This growth positions wine tourism as one of the most dynamic segments within the alcohol and lifestyle sector, expanding the reach of wine consumption beyond the bottled product.

Cosmetic tourism is a global trend that drives travelers to visit beauty innovation hubs. Seoul and Tokyo lead the way with their technology, futuristic laboratories, and trade shows where the ingredients and devices of the future of skincare are unveiled.

Paris remains the epicentre of luxury and scientific formulation, while Barcelona stands out as the Mediterranean hub for natural cosmetics and biotechnology. New York offers exclusive launches and high-impact events thanks to its vibrant cultural scene. In São Paulo, the industry combines science and biodiversity, attracting experts, to name just a few examples.

Today, consumers travel to attend conferences, test prototypes, and experience new cosmetic revolutions around the world before anyone else.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the wine industry, from cultivation to consumer relations. In the vineyard, sensors, satellites, and algorithms analyze climate, humidity, water stress, and ripening to optimize irrigation, harvesting, and management. This improves quality and reduces waste.

In the winery, AI optimizes fermentation, controls parameters, and analyzes aromatic data, even predicting the wine's evolution. In the marketplace, it drives personalized recommendations and guarantees authenticity and traceability in premium wines through computer vision and blockchain.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the cosmetics industry, altering R&D activities, personalization, and consumption. Through data analysis, machine learning, and computer vision, brands study skin, climate, and lifestyle variables to create precise solutions.

Digital apps and diagnostics assess hydration, blemishes, wrinkles, and sensitivity based on photographs. In R&D, AI accelerates ingredient discovery and predicts the efficacy of formulations. In the shopping experience, virtual assistants and digital try-on tools make it easier to choose suitable products, driving a more scientific and predictive model.

Luxury in wine is evolving towards less volume and greater value, as consumers prefer to buy fewer bottles but of higher quality, prioritizing exclusive or limited-production labels.

We've seen publications and launches in recent months based on this concept, in which some luxury brands have begun offering products made with high-end grapes, specifically cultivated for cosmetics. Other brands are partnering with exclusive vineyards to create personalized treatments, similar to a signature wine, but for the skin.

Sauternes is a prestigious French sweet white wine from Bordeaux and one of my favorites. The fungus Botrytis cinerea, known as “noble rot,” infects Sauternes grapes under specific conditions of humidity and sun. It pierces the grape skin, concentrating sugars and acids and develops complex aromas like honey, apricot, and dried fruit, resulting in intensely sweet wines with great aging potential.

We recently saw the creation of an alcohol-free Sauternes, marking a milestone in premium wine and reflecting the growing desire for moderation. This style faces technical challenges in trying to preserve aromas, texture, and balance without alcohol. The innovation responds to consumers who want sophisticated experiences without drinking alcohol, driving the NoLo (No Alcohol/Low Alcohol) segment.

The use of fungi in cosmetics is gaining relevance as an innovative source of active ingredients for skin care. Species such as reishi, chaga, tremella, and cordyceps provide polysaccharides, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds that hydrate, strengthen the skin barrier, and combat oxidative stress.

This year, we will see how biotechnology accelerates this trend by optimizing the cultivation and fermentation process of different types of mycelium to obtain more sustainable and effective ingredients.

Cosmmelier… Cosmetics Sommelier: It's a different way of understanding trends and connecting creativity and science, blending concepts, rituals, innovation, and the sensory language of these worlds to offer a disruptive and original perspective.

Wine and cosmetics, although they may seem like different worlds, share the same driving force for transformation: innovation. Both sectors are incorporating science, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence to reinterpret age-old traditions and respond to more conscious, curious, and demanding consumers.

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