What does pollution mean for your skin?

With 79% of all global skincare product launches in Q1 2016 carrying out an anti-pollution claim, according to Mintel, protection from pollution is a key consumer demand in the beauty industry.  

This trend is now also expanding to brands in a number of other key beauty sectors, including colour cosmetics and hair care, with companies adapting their formulations in order to stay relevant.

Protection from Pollution​

Pollution is considered particularly problematic in Asia, as air pollution has hit critical levels in many major cities. In addition to contributing to premature death, ground level ozone pollution, particulate matter, traffic fumes, UV rays and smog are skin aggressors that accelerate ageing, wrinkles and dull complexions.

Face masks have, therefore, become almost essential, with beauty brands maximising the  protective function of their products to appeal to specific consumer requirements in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

As China hosted the G20 Summit on 4th September, the focus was firmly on the causes and effects of pollution. The event marked China’s move to formally join the Paris Agreement on climate change, along with the US. Although change is anticipated for the future, at present, the cosmetics industry continues to develop and manufacture product lines that help to reduce the effects of pollution.

In-cosmetics Asia​

The conference and exhibition, which focuses on innovation within the cosmetic and personal care industries will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on 8th -10th November 2016.

In-cosmetics Asia 2016 is a prestigious event on the cosmetics calendar, with over 400 exhibitors and almost 7,500 Asian cosmetic manufacturers from around the world expected to attend this year. Many of these will be demonstrating their latest active ingredients.

As Mintel reports, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region’s beauty and cosmetics sectors are anticipated to show an annual 8.0% predicted growth rate from the end of 2015 to the end of 2016, demonstrating industry development.

A number of speakers will attend the event to deliver sessions as part of a new Spotlight On anti-pollution feature. Presentations from a variety of global cosmetic industry leaders will take place, including ‘The potential of anti-pollution: what’s driving the trend and where is it heading’, which will discuss the factors fuelling the rise of the trend and the current state of the anti-pollution sector.

Another session entitled, ‘Skin Protection: from anti-pollution to microbiome’, will explore key themes around the concept of skin protection, the areas it covers and the reasons behind its growth in popularity.

Visitors can also gain a more in-depth understanding of topics including anti-pollution, HEV light, the sun and the up-and-coming Skin Microbiome concept, as well as studying the geographical distribution of skin protection trends.

Anti-pollution products will also be on display at the Innovation Seminar Theatre, with Christina Ho, Regional Skin Care Marketing Manager for Asia Pacific at Croda, looking at what consumers want for their anti-pollution routine.

Active pollution-protective ingredients​

As consumers increasingly demand brands and products that prioritise the use of anti-pollution ingredients, this presents a vast opportunity to beauty and personal care companies in Asia, which are focusing on R&D to evolve and innovate.

Jerome Loeuil, Global Product Manager for anti-aging active ingredients for Biotech Marine SEPPIC will also explore the company’s new active ingredient, Contacticel, at in-cosmetics Asia to explain how it protects the cellular metabolism (DNA and protein) from pollutants.

There will also be a range of anti-pollution ingredients that help to fight the effects of poor air quality on the skin present at the event.

These active ingredients have evolved to include additional benefits including maximising pollution protection, as well as the effects of UV and blue light exposure.

Products with a multi-protective shield that contain a ‘detox’ function will also be demonstrated. These help to reverse the damage created through daily pollution and free-radical exposure.

Biospectrum, a developer and supplier of speciality cosmetics ingredients, will display its Redsnow product line. Redsnow is an ingredient specialised in anti-pollution with strong anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-ageing efficacy and collagen-boosting properties, targeting against pollutant-induced stress.

SkinGuard from cosmetic ingredient developers, Ichimaru Pharcos, contains nine types of natural ingredients to protect the skin against environmental stress. It aims to inhibit skin cell damage caused by environmental pollutants and boost the skin’s barrier function to prevent harmful substances (PM 2.5) from entering the skin.

A host of other brands featuring active ingredients with anti-pollution benefits will be on show from suppliers including Biotechmarine/Seppic, CLR, Freda, Greentech, ID Bio, Lipoid Kosmetik, Nikko Chemicals, Seiwa Kasei, Silab and Solabia.