'Serious levels of pollution in Asia' shifts focus from UV damage

Air pollution levels in Asia are very serious, particularly China and PM_2.5​_, ​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.

PM_2.5​ 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.

According to Norihisa Kawai, R&D manager at Ichimaru Pharcos, the shift in focus has been triggered by widespread news coverage on PM_2.5 ​matter in China.

"In my opinion, Western consumers are not and will continue not to be as concerned about products that protect against pollutants as Asian consumers, as they believe air quality is better in the Wes​t," he tells CosmeticsDesign-Asia.com.

Kawai will be presenting his latest work of botanical actives that protect the skin from air pollution at the 'innovation seminar' zone at in-cosmetics Asia in Bangkok on 4 Nov, 15:00 - 15:30.

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.