Air pollution levels in Asia are very serious, particularly China and PM2.5, auto emission, cigarette and industrial smoke have opened up a new segment for cosmetic brands to develop skin care that works to keep the skin healthy in such conditions.
PM2.5 are tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated. Although the micro-particle won’t penetrate the skin, it can influence surface barrier functions, causing dryness or even acne.
The industry has long been developing products that protect against UV skin damage and Ashland's most recent ingredient, Elixiance biofunctional was awarded for helping to reduce the effects of pollution.
The 2015 awards were given in two categories – Best Active Ingredient and Best Functional Ingredient – with 12 products shortlisted by a panel of industry experts from Coty-Lancaster Group, Seers Consulting, KAL’IDEES S.A.S., Skinnovation and Coty Group.
“Elixiance is a timely product introduction, especially in Asia where PM2.5/PM10 is becoming a threat to overall skin health,” said Dr. Randy Bull, vice president, Dermatology and Medical Care Specialties, Ashland Specialty Ingredients, on receiving the award.
Products leading the way in this category so far..
Products recently developed to protect against these air pollutants include properties like UV protector, detoxifying, BB elements, deep cleansing and isolating, by forming an invisible film on skin surface that prevents pollutants from staying on & entering in skin.
Unilever launched 'Pond's Pure White Cleansing Line', a cleansing line that claims to eliminate PM2.5 from the skin.
The global personal care player claims secondary carbonization technology combined with Kaolin formula deeply cleans accumulated dirt and PM2.5 in pores 5 times stronger than most cleansers.
Meanwhile; a closer to home Asian brand, Hua Niang launched its 'isolating & oxygen injecting PM2,5' and is said to be the first skin care line targeting problems caused by city pollution such as clogged pores, fine fines, dullness & yellowness, acne, roughness, and premature ageing.
Formulated with lotus root extract, the ingredient forms a high density film that isolates particle matters, computer dust, pollen from skin surface, preventing them from entering into pores and helping the skin to breathe freely by injecting fresh oxygen.