SkinCeuticals Announces A Breakthrough In Pollution Protection

The effects of sun exposure on skin are well known, but the global ozone pollution epidemic continues to spread. According to the American Lung Association's annual "State of the Air" report in 2017, nearly 40% of people live in counties that have unhealthful levels of either ozone or particle pollution.

Several epidemiological studies have attempted to understand how exposure to ozone pollution affects the human body. Ozone pollution damage appears in skin as excess oiliness, rough texture, and increased sensitivity. In partnership with Professor Giuseppe Valacchi from the University of Ferrara, Italy, a leading researcher in the study of ozone, SkinCeuticals has for the first time demonstrated in live skin that exposure to ozone pollution may cause visible skin aging by reducing collagen expression in the skin. In addition, ozone pollution oxidizes lipids and depletes skin's natural antioxidant reservoir, triggering a progressive cascade of damage that may contribute to signs of skin aging.

Of the problem, Dr. Valacchi says, "Unfortunately, decreasing the level of ozone pollution on Earth is difficult, so the 'ozone problem' will persist. Over the next several years, we expect to see it rise in prominence as a social concern.  Further, ozone exposure has been strongly correlated to the development of some skin pathologies because it quickly reacts with the lipids present in the outmost layer of the skin, and induces a cascade of noxious effects through the skin."

His research, accepted for publication in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology in January of this year, was conducted on live skin and found that after exposure to 0.8ppm ozone, collagen was reduced. Type I and III collagen are the most abundant in the human body.  With this in mind, SkinCeuticals worked with Dr. Valacchi to uncover a method of preventing these detrimental effects on skin.

Together they found that application of SkinCeuticals antioxidants C E Ferulic® and Phloretin CF® significantly reduced the damage caused by ozone exposure by neutralizing free radicals on the upper layer of the skin. In addition to the reduction of collagen marker loss, an increase in HNE (proteins that mark lipid oxidation) levels and activation of the NfKB (sensitization markers) pathway were also studied when skin was exposed to 0.8ppm ozone. When C E Ferulic or Phloretin CF were applied, these markers were significantly reduced.

Brenda Wu, General Manager of SkinCeuticals US, says of the findings, "Achieving healthy skin is the foundation of the SkinCeuticals mission, and so as a brand, we actively seek out, study and attempt to offer solutions to any environmental threat skin faces. We view pollution as the new frontier in dermatological research and one of the greatest challenges we face as a society. In understanding how it is affecting our skin, we can work to better prevent and protect against the damage. We are thrilled that our 'gold standard' antioxidants, C E Ferulic and Phloretin CF, have been found to offer yet another benefit to our dermatologist community and their patients, by helping to protect them from ozone pollution exposure."

Antioxidants are just one part of a comprehensive Prevent + Protect regimen. In order to protect skin against the full spectrum of environmental threats, a sunscreen is crucial, as well. When used together, SkinCeuticals antioxidants and broad-spectrum sunscreens provide a complimentary approach against visible aging caused by UVA/UVB rays, IR-A, and ozone pollution exposure.

ABOUT SKINCEUTICALS
Founded in Dallas, TX in 1997, SkinCeuticals discovers, develops, and delivers an advanced line of scientifically backed cosmeceutical treatments. As leaders in antioxidant and sun protection technology, SkinCeuticals products have been shown to dramatically improve skin health by protecting skin from environmental damage and visibly improving skin clarity, tone, and texture to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For more information, visit the brand on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or at www.skinceuticals.com.

Contact:  Alyssa Keller at Alison Brod Marketing + Communications: (212) 230-1800 / [email protected]; Laura Cummins at SkinCeuticals: (212) 984-4907 / [email protected]  

SOURCE SkinCeuticals

Related Links

http://www.skinceuticals.com