JANINA KIENEMUND, EVA GALIK
bitop AG, Dortmund, Germany

Abstract

Scientific evidence confirms that chronic exposure to external stress factors including air pollution and blue-light irradiation contribute to premature skin aging and skin disorders. Protecting the skin and the prevention of cell damage seem  to be logical and effective strategies to delay premature skin aging and damage.

Extremolytes are the natural protection substances of extremophilic microorganisms and plants. The probably best-researched member of these also called “stress protection molecules”, Ectoin, has shown protection and regeneration properties against various urban stress factors and might therefore be an effective solution to prevent and treat environmentally stressed skin.

INTRODUCTION

Human skin is situated at the interface of the organism and its environment and is therefore constantly exposed to numerous extrinsic stress factors. Chronic exposure to environmental conditions, including ultraviolet light (UV), blue light and air pollution has been shown to have significant impact to skin health and aging. It is an indisputable fact that cutaneous aging is mainly driven by external stress factors, promoting the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), encouraging inflammation processes in tissues and cells and compromising the natural skin barrier. This results in an increase of trans-epidermal water loss, along with a decrease of skin thickness, skin elasticity and the occurrence of wrinkles and pigment spots. But also dermatoses like rash, eczema, allergies, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are being caused or enhanced by external influences (1).

Protecting the skin from external stress-factors and the prevention of cell damage thus are logical and effective strategies to retard premature skin ageing and treat disease-affected skin.