A growing global trend toward urban lifestyles and city living is leading to an increasing concern about the effects of atmospheric pollution on skin. Pollutants may adhere to the skin and the particulate matter may penetrate to induce skin sensitivity and accelerate the visible signs of skin aging with collagen breakdown, skin discoloration, and skin barrier compromise. Results from a recent double-blind clinical study, conducted by Ashland’s Consumer Science team in Shanghai, indicate Elixiance™ biofunctional, rich in polyphenols quercitrin and miquelianin, can provide skin protection benefits following 70 days of exposure in an urban environment with high levels of air pollution. “Ashland chose Shanghai, China, as the location to conduct a double-blind clinical study” said Anne-Francoise Clay, marketing manager, skin care biofunctionals, Ashland. “The purpose of the study was to evaluate the qualifications of Elixiance in an urban environment known to have relatively high levels of fine particulate matter (less than 2.5 μm, known as PM2.5) at certain times of the year”.

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