INTRODUCTION
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR), visible light (VL) radiation, and infrared radiation (IR) make up 6.8%, 38.9%, and 54.3% of the total solar radiation, respectively, and each plays a significant role in extrinsic skin aging.1 Long-term daily UVR exposure leads to sub-optimal functioning of the skin due to epidermal and dermal damage caused by UVB (290-320 nm) and UVA (320-400 nm) radiation, respectively. These effects include UV-induced immunosuppression, changes in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) homeostasis, and inflammation. Furthermore, UVR triggers the production of free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) that disrupt skin structure and function.1 VL (400-760 nm) can also produce photobiological effects.2 High Energy Visible (HEV), specifically blue-violet light (400-450 nm), significantly increases and prolongs hyperpigmentation compared with UVB irradiation.2 Lastly, IR radiation (760-3000 nm) penetrates into the subcutaneous tissue and upregulates dermal MMPs, resulting in further damage to collagen and elastin structure.3,4
Another key extrinsic contributor to skin aging is air pollution. High levels of air pollution are found in many cities in the United States (US) and across the globe. According to the 2021 World Air Quality Report, only 3% of cities met World Health Organization's (WHO) air quality guidelines.5 The "State of the Air" 2022 report by the American Lung Association states that over 40% of Americans (over 137 million people) live in places with unhealthy levels of pollution, and these numbers are climbing.6 Exposure to air pollutants upregulates specific pathways in the skin that lead to hyperpigmentation and free radicals, where exposure to these harmful compounds increases ROS production, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative DNA damage in the skin, as well as decreases epidermal antioxidants and cell proliferation. All these processes promote skin aging.7,8
It is critical to protect the skin from major extrinsic stressors, or factors of aging, to ensure skin health and minimize skin aging. Skincare products that can prevent or mitigate the effects of
Another key extrinsic contributor to skin aging is air pollution. High levels of air pollution are found in many cities in the United States (US) and across the globe. According to the 2021 World Air Quality Report, only 3% of cities met World Health Organization's (WHO) air quality guidelines.5 The "State of the Air" 2022 report by the American Lung Association states that over 40% of Americans (over 137 million people) live in places with unhealthy levels of pollution, and these numbers are climbing.6 Exposure to air pollutants upregulates specific pathways in the skin that lead to hyperpigmentation and free radicals, where exposure to these harmful compounds increases ROS production, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative DNA damage in the skin, as well as decreases epidermal antioxidants and cell proliferation. All these processes promote skin aging.7,8
It is critical to protect the skin from major extrinsic stressors, or factors of aging, to ensure skin health and minimize skin aging. Skincare products that can prevent or mitigate the effects of
