According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, cosmetic surgery in the US has shifted sharply toward “quiet luxury,” favoring subtle, natural-looking results over dramatic transformations in 2025, with smaller breast implants, tailored facial anti-aging, and minimally invasive procedures like Botox® and fillers dominating the landscape. In addition, the rise of GLP1 use has spawned an aftercare surge with patients seeking body contouring solutions like tummy tucks, arm lifts, and even full-body lifts to remove sagging skin.
The Benchmarking Company (TBC) asked its panel of US female beauty buyers which enhancements they favor – and the at-home skincare solutions they use that can help extend or augment those pricy procedures. In its May 2026 primary online consumer study, 4,000+ respondents revealed the procedures and skincare products they’re using now.
Procedures Trending Younger
Twenty-eight percent (28%) of women surveyed said they had had a cosmetic procedure – either surgical or nonsurgical – to enhance, reshape, or improve the appearance of their face or body in the past five years. Among them, 32% of Millennials and Gen Z claim to have had procedures in the past 5 years, compared to 28% of those in the Gen X generation and 18% of baby boomers.
Those procedures include dermaplaning (13%), Botox or other neurotoxin injections (9%), laser hair removal (5%), other laser services (5%), eyelash lift or tinting (5%), Brow laminating or tinting (5%), microdermabrasion (4%), fillers such as Restylane® or Juvéderm® (4%), chemical peels (4%), microneedling (4%), pore extractions (4%), and medical-grade facials (4%).
The top surgical and other procedures were:
- Lip augmentation
- Breast augmentation
- Other cosmetic dermatology
- Body contouring (CoolSculpting®, Kybella®, etc.)
- Breast lift/reduction
- Liposuction
- Tummy tuck
- Rhinoplasty
- Blepharoplasty
- Face lift
- Butt lift
- Neck lift
At-home Skincare Part of Larger Procedure Picture
Thirty-four percent (34%) of those who have had procedures say that their procedures and treatments have influenced the skincare products they buy somewhat-to-very-much. That percentage is even higher among those in the Gen Z generation who have had procedures, with 46% saying special skincare products have a significant role to play.
She expects to pay the same or more for these products, with 51% paying the same as her “normal” skincare, and 43% paying more for these specialty products.
Gentle cleansers (77%) are the top category of special skincare products that she uses pre- or post-procedure, followed by moisturizers (71%), lotions claiming to heal or repair (68%), sun protection (64%), special serums (52%), balms (36%), and masks (22%.)
Goal: Extend, Enhance, and Recover Quicker
The last time respondents had their procedures, 19% said they used special post-procedure skincare products to extend or enhance the efficacy of their procedure, or to aid in their recovery. Sixteen percent (16%) said they used both a pre- and post-procedure skincare product for this reason, with 5% using a pre-procedure skincare product for this reason. Younger women who have had procedures (Gen Z and Millennial age) were more likely to use special skincare procedures both pre- and post-procedure (17%) than older women.
The rising shift of using special skincare products pre- and post-procedure (as opposed to the 60% who said they just used their regular skincare products pre- and post-procedure) is understood by users as a way to maintain results between treatments (50% use special skincare products pre- and post- for this reason), to extend the benefits of those treatments (49%), and to prepare the skin before their treatments (25%).