Talking dirty - pollution meets cosmetics

Abstract

Pollution, a fashionable ‘swearword’, has left many an opportunity for cosmetic chemists to combat its effects. In 2016, Mintel stated that consumers are aware that air pollution is affecting both their skin and hair, which has resulted in many new antipollution ingredients launched on the market. According to Euromonitor International, China, India and Pakistan contain cities with the highest levels of pollution in the world, which no doubt has pioneered the development of anti-pollution cosmetics. Interestingly enough, in China, health concerns are driving sales, whereas Westerners are more concerned with premature skin ageing.