Pep Talk
From influencers to elite athletes, high-profile figures are promoting peptides as a wellness fix, crediting them with injury repair, weight loss, anti-ageing effects, mood benefits, and more. But what are they?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids. Some occur naturally in the body with specific roles – insulin, oxytocin and vasopressin, for instance, help regulate blood sugar, social behaviour, and fluid balance and blood pressure respectively. Others form naturally when proteins break down, such as during digestion. Experts warn that unapproved, unregulated versions carry real risks. Medsafe has stated that peptide products not prescribed by a doctor or sourced from a pharmacy are illegal and potentially harmful, and that using them can cause serious – even potentially life-threatening – reactions
Creatine
Creatine has gone mainstream – driven by hundreds of thousands of #creatine social posts – thanks to evidence around strength, recovery, brain health, and healthy ageing. The body produces creatine in the kidneys, liver and pancreas from three amino acids: arginine, glycine and methionine. Despite being made from amino acids, creatine isn’t a protein or peptide – it’s a small organic compound. Evidence suggests creatine can support muscle mass and strength, particularly when paired with resistance training, and may help offset sarcopenia, age-related muscle loss. Emerging research also points to potential benefits for mood, memory, cognitive performance, and brain function under sleep deprivation, though studies remain relatively early stage.
At recommended doses, creatine is considered safe for most healthy adults, with possible side effects including bloating, nausea and water-retention-related weight gain. Anyone with underlying conditions should check with a healthcare professional first.
Biotech Beauty
Beauty brands are increasingly turning to biotechnology, which uses living microorganisms like yeast and bacteria to create more targeted formulas and ingredients. Biotech typically involves running natural ingredients through a biological process such as fermentation, producing more consistent results than some naturally sourced ingredients alone, which can vary with weather, soil and harvest timing. Korean beauty brands have been early adopters, drawing a parallel with global interest in fermented foods like kimchi and their gut-health benefits.
Once the preserve of giants like L’Oréal, biotech is now increasingly accessible to smaller, often women-led independent brands. One market research estimate puts the global biotech skincare market growing from US$5.8 billion in 2025 to US$8.6 billion by 2032.
Manning Up
A growing wave of masculinity influencers promote their own blueprints for manhood. Some brand themselves healthmaxxers, pushing diet and fitness tips; others go by looksmaxxers, chasing total physical perfection, often measured against narrow, muscular, chiselled ideals. This isn’t a niche corner of the internet. Movember research found nearly two-thirds of young men aged 16-25 across the UK, US and Australia regularly engage with men and masculinity influencer content – making it far more mainstream than many assume, and shaping how a generation thinks about diet, appearance and self-worth.
Recently, though, a pushback has emerged, with qualified nutrition and exercise professionals using their own platforms to challenge these extreme trends, offering more grounded, evidence-based alternatives instead.
Moisturising Matters
Moisturising isn’t just about vanity. Healthy skin is an active organ and barrier, while chronic inflammatory skin conditions can have effects beyond the skin itself. As we age, moisture-retaining elements like hyaluronic acid decline, making dry, uncomfortable skin more likely – meaning many people could benefit from moisturising regularly rather than treating it as an occasional afterthought.
Diet matters too – diets high in refined, high-glycaemic foods may promote glycation, a process that alters collagen structure and is associated with visible skin ageing, from fine lines to reduced plumpness, over time.
Facing Yoga
Puckering, puffing and pouting – face yoga trades downward dog for exaggerated facial poses, promoted online as a natural, product-free facelift. But does it hold up?
Facial structure sits in layers – skin, then fat pads, muscle and underlying tissue – and these structures change with age. The theory is that exercising facial muscles may help restore some shape, and it’s backed by a (admittedly small) study. After 20 weeks of daily or every-other-day exercises, participants showed improved facial fullness, notably in the cheeks. It’s hardly a substitute for cosmetic procedures, but may be an intriguing option for those wanting to avoid them. Facial massage may also temporarily ease puffiness, potentially by encouraging fluid movement.
Discover more homegrown beauty heroes making waves in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond in our 2026 Best in Beauty feature here.
