Clarins targets five common sources of skin damage with the latest UV Plus [5P] Anti-Pollution SPF50 PA+++. Could you share a little bit more about what they are and how each of them can affect the skin negatively?
The dangerous thing about these five sources of skin damage is that they’re unseen, and we usually only realise that we’ve been affected after the damage is done. Undoing the damage can be difficult, so prevention is key. On top of protecting the skin from harmful UV rays, we wanted the UV Plus [5P] Anti-Pollution SPF50 PA+++ to go the extra mile and ensure that our sunscreen is doing the most for us.
Our research team revealed that we’re exposed to up to 15 hours of blue light a day. Blue light has been shown to decrease the efficacy of two protective enzymes in the body, antioxidant defence enzyme GSR and detoxifying enzyme GSTM1 by up to 68 per cent and 54 per cent respectively. Oxidative stress results, increasing the risk of premature ageing, redness, dullness, and dehydration.
Pollen is one of the biggest causes of allergies. When exposed to the skin, pollen grains stimulate the production of inflammatory molecules by the cutaneous cells, which causes redness and discomfort.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a cause for indoor pollution, and one of the most common sources of this is formaldehyde. The fumes are emitted by various indoor sources such as household products, and furniture paints, varnish and wax. Our research team discovered that formaldehyde exposure induces oxidative stress, inflammation and barrier function damages to the skin.
Particulate Matter (PM) are liquid or solid particles suspended in the air, and is a major source of atmospheric pollution. These tiny particles can either come from natural sources such as smoke from forest fires and dust storms or industrial facilities and exhaust fumes. There are two major categories of PM – PM2.5 (particles with a diameter < 2.5 μm) and PM10 (particles with a diameter < 10 μm). Our research laboratory discovered that exposure to PM2.5 of atmospheric pollution on the cutaneous cells can induce and increase oxidative stress, which results in everything from itching to dryness.
Finally, there’s photo-pollution, which is the combined effect of airborne pollution and harmful UV rays emitted by the sun. The more intense the UV rays are, the more intense the photo-pollution is. Aside from causing premature ageing, photo pollution is also responsible for uneven skin tone and the appearance of dark spots.
We noticed that the UV Plus [5P] Anti-Pollution SPF50 PA+++ comes in two shades: Translucent and Rose. What we can expect from them?
You can be sure that both the formulas will blend out to be totally invisible with no white cast at all. You can also expect a subtle radiance thanks to the addition of crushed mother-of-pearl in the mix. The Rose formula helps to enhance the complexion by lending a sheer rosy glow to the skin, while the Translucent formula finishes with a natural and dewy look. Both will also leave the skin feeling soft and nourished without any tackiness.
While the addition of crushed mother-of-pearls helps with boosting the skin’s radiance, mango leaf extract helps with providing antioxidant benefits to the skin. There are numerous other antioxidant botanical extracts out there. Why did you pick mango leaf to be the star of this show?
Our research team has found that unlike most other antioxidants, the mango leaf extract has the added benefit of reactivating nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2), the master regulator of all the antioxidant defense systems. Studies have shown that NRF2 helps to regulate the expression of antioxidant proteins. These proteins protect us against oxidative damage caused by injury and inflammation from sources including the five pollutants that the UV Plus [5P] Anti-Pollution SPF50 PA+++ is targeting. This then decreases oxidative stress, thus reducing redness and discomfort brought about by pollution.
The UV Plus [5P] Anti Pollution SPF50 PA +++’s formula makes it great for everyday use, especially for office people or running quick errands. However, it contains chemical sunscreens, which are known for reef-bleaching effects. In that respect, would you recommend its use for seaside activities?
At Clarins, we develop our sun care products with the goal of guaranteeing optimal protection against the harmful effects of UV rays. Hence, we use the safest and most effective filters, whether they are derived from chemicals (organic) or minerals (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide). The composition of these filters have been meticulously selected to respect the official lists required by various regulatory agencies. You can also be sure that our formula’s protective efficacy against UVB rays has been strictly evaluated according to standardized international methods.
We are also fully aware of the environmental impact regarding marine life. We have voluntarily put in place a testing protocol to evaluate the impact that our sun care range has on coral reefs, and we’re happy to report that the negative impacts are insignificant.
Sustainable sourcing is a very commendable effort on the brand’s part to protect the environment. But is it enough? Are there more eco-friendly measures that you hope to push for in the future?
We are working towards obtaining a B-Corp certification. It is one of the most recognized and advanced certifications worldwide which assesses the overall positive impact of a company. We will push our limits in terms of HR commitments and impact on the environment. Our goal is to obtain the certification by 2023, so we’re very excited about that.
Lastly, do you have any tips on how to maximise the protective effects of the UV Plus [5P] Anti-Pollution SPF50 PA+++?
Always remember to reapply the product every two hours and try to keep in the shade as much as possible. Opting for a more nutrient-dense diet comprising of antioxidant-rich food such as green tea, berries and cruciferous vegetables also helps to boost the product’s protective functions.
#B2/35-36, 2 Orchard Turn ION Orchard; clarins.com.sg