Space-based personal care can help prepare for “weather extreme” impacts on skin health

Carnia Nebula. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA and STScI.

29 Aug 2022 --- Astronauts in space are often impacted by high UV exposure, dysregulated circadian rhythm and environmental stress. Industry-led personal care solutions to space stressors can also equip humans living on Earth, who increasingly face similar environmental impacts exacerbated by climate extremities that affect not only skin health but also broader stress-related health issues.

Julie Droux, senior technical marketing specialist, actives and natural origins at Clariant, speaks to PersonalCareInsights, highlighting the difference between Earth and space-based personal care and essential ingredients used to protect skin health. 

“In the long term, as space travel increases, and in the shorter term, as societies experience the impacts of weather extremes, temperature fluctuations and disruption to day/night rhythm with increasing changes to our Earth’s atmosphere, there will likely be interest from formulators and beauty brands for ingredients relevant to tackling issues felt in both environments.”

“Factors already experienced in space, like higher UV exposure, accelerated premature aging and the need to support cell function restoration will become more prevalent concerns here on Earth,” she underscores. 

Moreover, the NASA-released images by the James Webb telescope have brought the universe into perspective – there is much yet for humans to explore in outer space.Droux says that with increasing changes to earth’s atmosphere, there will be interest from formulators and beauty brands for ingredients relevant in both environments. 

“Exacerbated care needs”
On how personal care in space differs from personal care on Earth, Droux says that unique care products destined for use in space should ideally consider the exacerbated care needs and physiological impacts that come from spending time in and adapting to this significantly more extreme environment.

“While on Earth, factors such as UV exposure, irritants and excessive stress are known to accelerate skin aging and damage.”

“Without the protection of the Earth’s atmosphere, astronauts are exposed to higher levels of solar radiation and other higher-intensity radiation such as x-rays, gamma rays and cosmic rays,” she continues. 

Moreover, Droux highlights that the absence of gravity, disruption to the circadian rhythm with the change from a regular day and night cycle, the variable light and reduction in sleep quality can take a toll on an astronaut’s body, affecting cells’ ability to carry out biological functions and repair from damage. 

NASA studies inspire space care
Droux shares that various scientific studies have been conducted to evaluate the consequences of space environments on the body.

“NASA even had the opportunity to study the impacts of space vs. Earth environments thanks to two twin astronauts, to analyze some epigenetic mechanisms that influence body functions with the same genetics. Despite similar DNAs, gene expression is different in the different environments due to environmental factors such as sunlight, pollution, allergens and irritants exposure.” 

“These findings on how extreme environments can affect cell functions provide valuable inspiration to develop active ingredients for skincare formulations that strengthen biological processes and target aspects such as premature aging, detoxification and radiation protection – top priorities for space-relevant personal care.

She also highlights that it is essential to account for water scarcity in space. “Water-saving is increasingly relevant here on Earth, but out there, it becomes an even greater priority to select formulation ingredients and formats that minimize the need for additional water use.”

Ingredients in orbit
Based on the environmental changes caused by different sleeping rhythms and higher exposure to UV rays, Droux shares some beneficial ingredients necessary for coping with the stressors.

“In space, as on Earth, a dysregulated circadian rhythm is known to impact the biological functions of skin cells, affecting skin’s well-being, increasing signs of fatigue and affecting its ability to efficiently repair the damages caused by UV radiation or irritation processes.”Premature aging, detoxification and radiation protection are top priorities for space-relevant personal care. 

“B-Circadin, an extract of Lespedeza capitata, a medicinal plant from South Korea, helps skin cells recover a normal circadian rhythm despite external factors. It protects the cells against oxidative stress and improves the skin detoxification pathway. It also improves microcirculation and decreases puffiness in four days, for a visible impact on skin complexion,” she continues.

Preventing cell aging
Addressing premature cell aging can be critical for effective space-destined personal care.

“A recently-developed seaweed-derived ingredient has been created to target epigenetic mechanisms in cell aging and, in doing so, offer support for minimizing the impacts of factors such as elevated UVB and irritant exposure.” 

“Clariant has developed the first active ingredient in the market that targets a long non-coding RNA to fight the three main causes of aging: photo-aging, chronoaging and inflammaging. Epseama boosts the expression of nc886, which is known to decrease dramatically with age. It stimulates the expression of nc886 and protects the expression of nc886 under UVB exposure,” explains Droux.

As a result, Epseama is said to help the skin recover its resistance and reduce aging signs.

Combating photo-aging
Additionally, excessive and chronic sun exposure can damage skin cells. Therefore, using ingredients that mitigate photo-aging is a strong starting point, notes Droux. Addressing premature cell aging can be critical for effective space-destined personal care. 

“Clariant offers a natural ingredient from Cauliflower mushroom extract (Sparassis crispa), rich in veratric acid, a molecule recognized for its anti-irritation and anti-oxidant properties.” 

“VageStop protects the cells by inhibiting UVB-induced DNA damage and helps cells recover by increasing the repair of damaged DNA. It also reduces UVB-induced irritation by decreasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as PGE2 and IL-6 produced by UVB exposure. It preserves epidermal and dermal integrity and efficiently protects the skin against photo-aging.” 

Since reducing the amount of water required for cleansing is essential to save water in space, BioDtox is an active ingredient based on citrus, aloe and broccoli that efficiently encourages toxin secretion and facilitates the elimination of particles on the skin,” continues Droux. 

“It reduces pollution adhesion on the skin to help clean and tighten pores, reduce sebum and exfoliate softly.”

By Venya Patel 

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