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A brief overview of the climate crisis:
Evidence strongly suggests that anthropogenic climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions will continue causing major disruptions to the earth’s environmental systems. Climate change and pollution are changing our environment and subsequently, external factors to which individuals are exposed. Studies indicate that the skin microbiome is affected by these factors, which may influence the development or severity of skin conditions such as acne, atopic dermatitis and skin cancer.
A summary of what we know:
Climate variables, specifically temperature, humidity, UV radiation and air pollution may have modulating effects on the skin microbiome that could influence skin health (Isler, Coates and Boos, 2022)
Studies have reported that both UVA and UVB can cause hyperplasia of sebaceous glands and thickening of the stratum corneum, potentially altering the microbial landscape by promoting growth of lipophilic organisms such as C.acnes and Malassezia (Dréno et al., 2018; Isler, Coates and Boos, 2022)
Studies have also found that a temperature increase of 1°C leads to an increase in the effective UV dose by 2%, increasing skin cancer risk via keratinocyte DNA damage, leading to possible loss of skin bacteria that release antioxidant products which serve to protect against carcinogenesis (Isler, Coates and Boos, 2022)
Additionally, air pollution such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide have been associated with increased outpatient visits for post-adolescent acne in China (Li et al., 2022)
Industry impact & potential:
Further studies using in vivo testing will be necessary to evaluate the effects of climate change on the skin microbiome more precisely, and propose product solutions. An example of innovation in this space is a biomimetic active, Galactinol Advanced by Clariant, that activates the skin's defense mechanisms to improve its resilience towards environmental stress and quickly changing climate.
Our approach:
Understanding how the changing environment affects our skin microbiome will be key to the future treatment and prevention of skin conditions. At Sequential, we are able to partner with clinical and personal care product companies to offer leading-edge in vivo microbiome testing, certification and formulation support to assist the development of products that help to protect the skin from environmental stresses whilst maintaining the microbiome.
References:
Dréno B, Bettoli V, Araviiskaia E, Sanchez Viera M, Bouloc A. The influence of exposome on acne. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018 May;32(5):812-819. doi: 10.1111/jdv.14820. Epub 2018 Feb 15. PMID: 29377341; PMCID: PMC5947266.
Isler, Madeleine & Coates, Sarah & Boos, Markus. (2022). Climate change, the cutaneous microbiome and skin disease: implications for a warming world. International Journal of Dermatology. 62. 10.1111/ijd.16297.
Li X, An SJ, Liu XL, Ji AL, Cao Y, Xiang Y, Ma XY, Hu Q, Yuan ZQ, Li YF, Lu YG, Cai TJ. The Association Between Short-Term Air Pollution Exposure and Post-Adolescent Acne: The Evidence from a Time Series Analysis in Xi'an, China. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021 Jun 25;14:723-731. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S320248. PMID: 34211290; PMCID: PMC8241005.
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