Air Pollution and Skin

According to SkinCeuticals, the initial findings from a multi-year clinical research initiative quantifies the damaging effects of pollution on skin, and the protective capacity of the brand's topical antioxidants. Results of this study were presented at the 2014 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in Denver.  

The World Health Organization considers air pollution to be a carcinogen, and has recently published a report revealing pollution claimed a staggering seven million lives worldwide in 2012. Several epidemiological studies across the globe have revealed pollution causes a wide range of damage, ranging from decreased life expectancy, to deadly diseases and visible, premature aging. The potential for skin damage rapidly accelerates, as pollution levels surge and interact with other environmental aggressors like UV radiation, to create an even more noxious byproduct – ground level ozone.

In partnership with Prof. Giuseppe Valacchi from the University of Ferrara, Italy, a leading researcher in the study of ozone, SkinCeuticals has embarked on an extensive and ongoing research initiative to prove that SkinCeuticals antioxidants protect from pollution-induced damage.

“Ozone is one of the most toxic and constant forms of pollution,” shared Prof. Valacchi. “Ozone and UV together depletes skin's protective antioxidants three times more than ozone alone. Our latest research proves that ozone pollution accelerates the natural aging process by creating free radicals, which impair healthy skin cell function, and activating NF-kB, an inflammatory pathway associated with several skin pathologies. The impact of ozone-induced damage is significantly prevented with these antioxidants.”

This new study proves that CE Ferulic's combination of vitamins C, E, and ferulic acid and Phloretin CF's combination of phloretin, vitamin C and ferulic acid significantly prevent ozone-induced oxidative damage. When pre-treated with antioxidants C E Ferulic, ozone-induced lipid peroxidation is reduced by 51% and protein oxidation is reduced by 77%. Antioxidants Phloretin CF, reduce lipid peroxidation by 23%, and protein oxidation by 22%.

Both antioxidant combinations, CE Ferulic and Phloretin CF, significantly prevent activation of NF-kB, an inflammatory pathway, triggered by exposure to ozone.

“We are at the forefront of uncovering the mechanism of pollution and skin,” said Marc Toulemonde, SkinCeuticals global general Manager. “Harmful levels of ozone pollution will never decrease. Preventing its damage is crucial to our mission of improving skin health. For the first time, we can quantify our antioxidant protection against ozone-induced damage. CE Ferulic and Phloretin CF have been proven to neutralize UV- and Infrared-induced free radicals to prevent skin damage and premature aging. With pollution, we have taken on the next chapter of environmental damage, with significant and promising results.”