Key Takeaways: 

• Mintel predicts consumers will want emotional, ethical, and sensory value beyond function in 2026.
• Consumers of food, beauty, and home are investing in rituals that feel emotionally aligned. 
• Authentic, human-centered brands will define the rest of the decade.

Global consumer behavior is entering a new era: Consumers are seeking products and experiences that deliver not just function, but emotional resonance, ethical alignment, and sensory satisfaction. According to Mintel’s 2026 predictions, by 2030, consumers will expect beauty and home care products to not only enhance appearance or function, but to act as diagnostic, emotional, and preventative tools.

New data from Mintel’s 2026 Global Consumer Predictions, 2026 Global Household Predictions, 2026 Global Food & Drink Predictions, and 2026 Global Beauty & Personal Care Predictions offer a glimpse into the future of consumer and commerce.

Beauty Predictions

Mintel identifies a trio of major shifts in beauty, including metabolic beauty converging health, technology, and personalization. The market intelligence agency also predicts a reframing of skin and hair as visible biomarkers of overall health, with products increasingly incorporating biointelligent technologies, continuous metabolic monitoring, and cellular repair tools. With emotional wellness rising up the agenda, beauty will become a multisensory exercise, and functional fragrances, immersive textures, and even virtual reality experiences will become part of self-care routines. Products will be judged on their ability to regulate mood and evoke emotion.

Regional Beauty Habits & Predictions

• 86% of Indian adults agree that a healthy diet plays an equally important role as beauty products in enhancing beauty. 
• 78% of Brazilian adults agree that beauty brands should provide more scientific evidence to validate the claims they make.
• 70% of Spanish adults agree that beauty supplements are an effective way to slow the visible signs of aging.
• 76% of Beauty and Personal Care (BPC) product users in China say that how their skin feels, when thinking about product texture, impacts their user experience, and 75% link texture to perceived efficacy.
• 37% of Ayurvedic skincare buyers in India are willing to pay more for products offering sensory effects like cooling or warming (vs. 27% overall).
• 15% of online beauty shoppers in the UK say that "playzones" to try new products independently would encourage them to shop in-store, rising to 22% among Gen-Z.
• 37% of US consumers cite an appealing fragrance as most important when shopping for bodycare.
• 36% of German facial skincare users believe that if a focal skincare product causes noticeable sensation on the skin, it means it is working.
• 51% of Chinese adults say unique locations are a key factor in attracting them to pop-up events. Further, 42% say social or interactive experiences would attract them.
• 76% of Chinese beauty consumers would like brands to tell them when a BPC product has been made using AI. 
• 76% of US adults agree that technology tools should always be supplemented by the availability of human support.
• 82% of UK adults who know about/have heard about AI would prefer to speak to a human customer service representative instead of an AI chatbot.
• 70% of those under age 45 in the UK say AI makes them value things made by humans more.

Future Online Trends

• Black Swan Data predicts clinically proven and science-backed skincare will trend in the next 12 months, according to a rise in mentions on online conversations.
• NAD+ and biohacking will trend in the next 12-24 months, according to a rise in mentions in online conversations.
• The fragrance trend is predicted to climb in the next 12 months in fragrances that improve the mood, with it being mentioned in 2,235 online conversations (a growth of 39%).

Demand for beauty is being driven by the boredom of highly optimized aesthetics; instead, consumers desire beauty that feels human. Brands that display makers, processes, and flaws are positioned to win trust. For beauty brands, this means shifting from simply delivering visible results to providing insights, emotional uplift, and a sense of connection. Serums, supplements, and devices will double as wellness diagnostics by 2030.

Food & Nutrition Predictions

In its 2026 food and drink predictions, Mintel foresees consumers navigating a volatile world by using brands that incorporate heritage ingredients and ancestral food practices, such as fermentation, seasonal eating, and long-life formats. This wave of nutritional morals will provide emotional and cultural grounding. Beyond protein and fiber headlines, diets will shift toward culturally rooted formulations, balanced nutrition, and ingredient diversity. AI will help consumers shuffle weekly diets to keep them varied and exciting.

Regional Food Habits & Predictions

• 71% of US consumers who eat lunch allow for different flavors and variety when choosing food.
• 52% of consumers in Italian select markets agree that  concern about water quality has caused a cutback on the consumption of fish they eat. In Spain, 50% agree, in Germany 44%, in France 45%, and in Poland 48% agree. 
• The importance of high protein claims when shopping for food in Germany has risen 3%, from 12% in March 2021 to 15% in March 2025.
• In the US, the importance of protein has risen by 6% in four years, from 26% in 2021 to 32% in 2025.
• Mintel saw a 12% increase in the importance of protein for Australian consumers, from 17% in 2021 to 29% in 2025.
• China saw a 10% increase, from 25% in 2021 to 35% in 2025 in the importance of protein.
• Indian consumers went from 34% agreeing on the importance of high protein to 46%, a 12% increase.
• Select global markets in China saw a 3% increase in the amount of consumers agreeing on the importance of high fiber foods when shopping for food, going from 18% in March 2021 to 21% in March 2025.
• France saw an increase of 7% agreeing on the importance of high fiber, from 9% agreeing in 2021 to 16% in 2025.
• There was a 12% increase in agreement in France, from 13% in 2021 to 21% in 2025, with the importance of high fiber claims.
• 35% of Japanese consumers would like to stock up on products that can be used both in daily life and during disasters.
• 28% of Japanese consumers would be motivated to buy food and drink that is fermented; interest rises above 40% for women over 40.
• 34% of Thai consumers are interested in consuming more food and drink that supports their brain health, made with Thai herbs. 
• 8% of Australian consumers are interested in incorporating more natural functional ingredients into their diets.
• 65% of Chinese adults have tried cooking herbal and plant-based ingredients with nourishing functions and would try them again.

Future Online Food Trends

• Chlorella has been mentioned in 1,048 online conversations, with an online conversation growth of 2% year over year.
• Karak chai and Vietnamese coffee are predicted to trend according to Black Swan Data in the next 12 months, with sotol being involved in 134 conversations (a 58% increase) predicted to replace tequila in the next 12-24 months.
• Mung beans have appeared in 5,760 conversations with a 44% increase.
• Hemp seeds have appeared in 16,949 conversations with a 16% increase.
• Black Swan Data predicts that food that reduces bloating and fiber-rich foods will trend in the next 12 months, and gut-brain axis and food that improves consumers' moods will trend in 12-24 months.

Food is no longer just fuel; it has become a cultural and emotional wellness ritual. Brands in nutrition that borrow from heritage, embrace personalization, and deliver more than single-function ingredients will be better placed in a wellness-driven market.

Home Care Predictions

Mintel’s insight into household trends predicts cleaning will evolve into a wellness category itself. Invisible pollutants, nanoparticles from fire smoke, microplastics from electronics, and climate-driven contaminants will push cleaning beyond checks on dust and mud, into bioreactive and sensor-driven regimes. By 2023, 72% of the global population will reside in urban areas, up from 55% in 2018.

The data identified the rise in significance of health-smart hygiene for consumers. We can expect a surge in products that combine air-quality monitoring, enzyme coatings, microbiome-friendly formulas, as well as dynamic sensors and data-driven ecosystems for cleaning, such as AI-powered tools that track pollutants, adjust cycles, and personalize routines for mood, biology, and even neurodivergent users.

Regional Home Care Habits

• 73% of UK consumers worry about microplastics, while 37% globally are most concerned about air quality.
• In the US, 80.5% are interested in water filters that remove microplastic particles using nanotechnology or graphene-enhanced filtration; 69.2% are interested in AI-powered air filtration systems.
• 30% of US adults ages 18 or over who have mental health conditions use household chores (laundry and cleaning) to cope with stress or anxiety.
• 24% of UK adults describe their households as a reflection of their personal style or personality.
• 54% of Indian adults buy formulations that include probiotics or natural ingredients.
• 39% of Brazilian females or transgender males would love to adjust their health routines, such as diets or exercise, according to their menstrual cycle.
• 77% of Thai adults are concerned that household surface cleaners are harmful to their health.
• In the UK, 6% of adults have neurodivergence, increasing to 15% among those ages 18-24.
• 78% of Spanish adults who are responsible for cleaning hard surfaces or toilets are confident that new ingredients in hard surface or toilet cleaning are thoroughly tested for human safety.

These predictions identify a shift from cleaning as a chore to a ritual. Home care products have the opportunity to become sensory, emotionally attuned, and part of well-being routines rather than functional tasks. For brands in home care, this means thinking beyond efficacy and function; instead, formulations that speak to health, identity, and environment will thrive.

Consumer Predictions

Mintel’s 2026 Consumer Predictions reveal that the next wave of global behavior will center on reclaiming control, connection, and creativity in an increasingly automated world. As technology and algorithms shape nearly every aspect of daily life, consumers are becoming more conscious of how data, AI, and convenience-driven systems influence their choices.

The first shift sees people seeking transparency and agency over digital environments, favoring brands that empower individuality over algorithmic sameness. Consumers embrace reinvention across life stages, aiming for longevity and self-investment while prioritizing purpose, experience, and financial resilience over traditional milestones. There is a rise in desire for genuine connection in a world of curated digital personas. Emotional intelligence, empathy, and human warmth are fast becoming key differentiators for brands across beauty, food, and home care.

Regional Consumer Habits

• 57% of Japanese adults say they won’t purchase products introduced by influencers.
• 45% of US consumers agree they like to stand out from the crowd in 2025, compared to 36% in 2023.
• 67% of German social media users who engage with social media personalities agree that content from different social media personalities is becoming increasingly similar.
• 74% of Canadian consumers agree that deepfake AI videos and pictures make it hard to tell what is real.
• 76% of US adults who exhibit a form of trendsetting behavior feel good when people ask them for recommendations about the categories they are knowledgeable about.
• 65% of UK social media users follow brands on social media.
• 39% of Japan’s population will be 65+ by 2070, up from just 5% in 1950 and peaking in 2045 (the highest proportion globally).
• 59% of US consumers agree they would rather spend their money on luxury experiences than luxury brand products (68% for 18 to 34-year-olds).
• 52% of single UK adults agree that older singles are often overlooked when it comes to products or events targeting singles.

Together, these trends point to a more mindful, human-centered approach to consumption—where well-being is defined not just by health, but by emotional fulfillment, authenticity, and balance in an age of constant technological acceleration.

These sector shifts add up to a new macrotrend: Whether in beauty, food, or home, consumers are investing in products and rituals that help them regulate mood, extend vitality, feel emotionally aligned, and stay ahead of disruption. The roadmap ahead demands brands move beyond function to experience, beyond visual to emotional, and beyond algorithmic polish to human authenticity. By 2030, the converging ecosystems of beauty, food, and home care will be less about separate shelves and more about integrated rituals of well-being.