Pollution prevalence
As the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 90% of the global population is exposed to pollution levels that exceed WHO guidelines [1], cosmetics companies are creating next-generation pollutant protective products.
Anti-pollution and anti-ageing items in the cosmetics and personal care sectors continue to dominate brand innovations, marketing strategies and formulation plans.
Sagentia highlights common skin conditions associated with pollution, including skin irritation, chemical damage and accelerated ageing. In addition, industry personnel also believe that exposure to pollution can lead to allergen pathways which worsen the effect on the skin by creating more serious conditions including eczema and rashes.
Children and infants are thought to be at greater risk, the white paper emphasises, due to their vulnerable and weaker immune systems and reduced skin barrier properties.
Innovations in pollutant technology
The white paper outlines three main consumer needs that are driving technological developments:
- Anti-pollution cosmetics - reliable and trusted products
- Personalised skin care - systems that can protect and advise based on bespoke individual skin requirements
- Monitorisation - the ability to analyse and measure a person’s exposure to pollution
“Cosmetic and personal care companies should not feel restrained in their ambition to fight urban skin stress; they can feel confident that the technology is keeping pace with their aspiration,” stated Neil Campbell, Vice President of CPG Business Development at Sagentia.
While anti-pollution and anti-ageing items are heavily present in the APAC market, the rising customisation trend and demand for products that support health and wellbeing have led companies to evolve these solutions to maximise protection from urban skin stress.
Despite customisation coming into the forefront of cosmetics in 2017, developers have been creating these items prior to the big personalisation impact, and many have moved beyond prototype and concept to market entry stage.
With consumers and experts choosing to avoid the belief that living in an urban, highly-polluted environment should lead to ongoing pollution, companies are now creating new and innovative applications and cosmetics to monitor and protect the skin.
The second part of this article, which will look at ongoing innovations to combat urban skin stress, will be published on 26th July 2017.
Sagentia’s white paper is available to download at www.sagentia.com/insight/new-innovations-in-beating-urban-skin-stress/
[1] WHO (2015) Reducing global health risks through mitigation of short-lived climate pollutants. Accessed: http://www.who.int/phe/health_topics/outdoorair/en/