LG H&H discovery of genetic skin tone factors in East Asians potentially key to skin radiance developments

This Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) uncovered that 23 genetic regions influence skin colour, 11 of which were identified for the first time.

Among them was the newly discovered GAB2 gene, which was associated with promoting the phosphorylation of tyrosine, the precursor of melanin that causes pigmentation such as freckles.

LG H&H announced that it was developing “highly effective anti-ageing ingredients” based on the results of this skin genetic research.

Last September, the company debuted the Pro-Radiance complex in the renewed Cheongidan line from its luxury flagship brand The History of Whoo.

“The skin genes identified in this research could serve as target genes for developing highly effective skin radiance solutions, making them highly valuable for utilisation. Through skin genomics-based research, we will introduce cosmetics that allow global customers to experience differentiated value,” said Kang Nae-Kyu, chief technical officer, LG H&H.

A study in colour​

The research quantified skin colour by analysing 48,433 East Asians over six years.

It identified genetic variations linked to skin colour, including potential genes that may cause these variations, and how they interact with sun exposure at a polygenic level.

LG H&H also discovered genes related to melanin production, skin disease, and vitamin D synthesis.

This marks a significant leap forward in understanding the genetic architecture of skin pigmentation in East Asians.

This study was a collaborative effort between the firm’s Technology Research Institute and experts from universities in Korea and the US.

This included Professor Hong-Hee Won's of the Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST) and Professor Choongwon Jeong from the School of Biological Sciences at Seoul National University (SNU).

These findings help interpret skin tone characteristics of various races by comparing them with global data from UK Biobank, a biomedical database and research resource.

Using a ‘genetic score’ the study could accurately predicted skin tone characteristics for people from 26 regions, especially Asians.

Furthermore, the study found that the impact of environmental factors, like where one lives, how much sunlight one gets, and sunscreen use all affected skin tone.

Researchers quantitatively analysed how these elements interact to influence skin tone, offering new insights into the complex relationship between our environment and our genes.

One key finding was that people who are exposed to sunlight for more than three hours daily may experience varying effects from sunscreen based on their skin tone genes.

The researchers converted the influence of these genes into a ‘genetic score’. People with low genetic scores are likely to have naturally darker skin, while those high genetic scores are likely to have naturally lighter skin.

Further analysis revealed that individuals in the lowest 10% of genetic scores would receive about twice the skin tone protection from sunscreen compared to those in the highest 10%.

This suggests that genetic makeup also influences how effective sunscreen will be in protecting our skin from the sun rays.

Source: Nature Communications

Mapping and annotating genomic loci to prioritize genes and implicate distinct polygenic adaptations for skin color​

Authors: Kim, B., Kim, D.S., Shin, JG. et al.​