DEVICES 63
Devices, data and formulations to conquer your environment
n Dr David Heath – Cutitronics, UK
We are now aware that eating well and exercising regularly are good for us and, in turn, for the condition of our skin. There is a general recognition, for example, that those who smoke heavily or over-indulge in processed foods or alcohol tend to visibly age more quickly than those who do not. As such, we now accept that our internal condition is often reflected in the external appearance of our skin. In response, many people attempt to control these internal factors by reducing the level of artificial toxins that they put into our bodies, eating more naturally-produced foods and managing the level of fats, carbohydrates and salts in their diets. However, the skin is unique among the
body’s major organs in that it has both an internal and an external interface. Interestingly, though, public awareness of the external factors that can impact negatively on the condition of the skin is limited at best. While it is true that many of
March 2020
us will reach for the sunscreen to protect ourselves on a sunny day, the majority of skin care consumers fail to take into account the impact of variable external factors such as temperature, humidity, air pollution or even the light produced by the screens of TVs, computers and phones. All of these can impact different people in different ways and, crucially, make a real difference to the effectiveness of skin care formulations. Technology providers have been quick
to create numerous solutions to help us monitor our fitness and nutritional needs, however, to date, there have been few technological tools available to help us assess and manage the external threats to the skin.
In this article, I will look at those external
threats in a bit more detail, then consider the technological solutions that are just around the corner: data-enabled devices that deliver a programme of skin care
treatment tailored to your individual needs in your own current environment.
Your skin vs. the world
The skin, particularly the upper layer of the epidermis, plays a crucial role in the human body – it acts as a barrier against natural dangers and man-made air pollutants.
Air pollutants In an average day, the skin is exposed to environmental air pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), oxides, particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3
), and
cigarette smoke. Although human skin acts as a biological shield against pro-oxidative chemical and physical air pollutants, prolonged or repetitive exposure to high levels of pollutants may have profound negative effects on the skin. Exposure has been associated with skin aging and inflammatory or allergic skin conditions
PERSONAL CARE NORTH AMERICA
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