Understanding the Exposome: ITS IMPACT ON SKIN AGING AND HEALTH

Published: September 10, 2024

Validated by Eve Mérinville

Skincare R&D and Innovation Director

Validated by Eve Mérinville

Skincare R&D and Innovation Director

In 2005, American cancer epidemiologist Christopher Wild introduced a new concept called the "exposome." This term refers to the sum total of all the environmental exposures a person encounters throughout their entire life. The exposome represents the ever-changing array of external factors — like pollution, diet, stress, and lifestyle choices — that interact with our bodies over time.

Wild emphasized that to fully understand how diseases develop and how our bodies change, we need to look beyond genetics. While our genes provide the blueprint, it's the exposome that tells the story of how our environment influences our health and well-being. For instance, how the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the stress we experience can all play a role in developing certain health conditions or even shaping non-disease-related traits, like the aging of our skin.

model with glowing, clear skin looking at the camera

Research into the exposome is crucial because it aims to map out how all these factors combine and interact to affect different organs in the body. A key focus of exposome research is on the skin, exploring how factors such as sunlight, pollution, and lifestyle choices contribute to skin health and aging. By understanding the exposome, scientists hope to find new ways to prevent diseases and promote healthier aging, making it a vital complement to our knowledge of the human genome.

In this article, we will delve into what the exposome is, its components, and how it affects skin aging.

The Skin and the Exposome

In 2005, epidemiologist Christopher Wild introduced the concept of the exposome, which he defined as the "assessment of the totality of environmental exposures to which an individual is exposed from conception onward."

The exposome encompasses all environmental influences and can be divided into three main domains:

General External Environment: This includes climate, sun exposure, and pollution.
Specific External Environment:This domain is related to lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress, smoking, sleep, and the use of electronic devices.
Internal Environment: This pertains to the body's physiological responses to external factors.

Our skin is the largest organ of the body and serves as a barrier between our internal environment and the external world. It reflects our physical and mental health and is constantly exposed to various stimuli, habits, and environments throughout our lives. For this reason, skin is highly impacted by the exposome. It is the first organ to show signs of aging, revealing every secret and indulgence. Over time, we all experience pigment marks, wrinkles, loss of color, pallor, and sagging. But skin does more than just show its age—it also reflects our deepest emotions and overall well-being. When we properly interpret and care for these signals, we achieve much more than just healthier skin.

Together with genetic factors, these domains significantly impact the skin's aging process, explaining why biological age may not always align with chronological age and why not everyone ages in the same way, at the same time. The exposomic approach provides a comprehensive view of how our environment and lifestyle choices influence our skin's appearance and health.

The Impact of the Exposome on Skin Aging

The exposome affects the skin by accelerating the aging process and making imperfections more visible. Some common signs of skin aging influenced by the exposome include:

Dehydration and dryness
Loss of tone and the appearance of wrinkles
Dull complexion and pigmented spots
Impurities and excess sebum production

But what are the main causes that accelerate skin and cellular aging? Experts identified seven main factors within the exposome to alter cellular process. These are:

Sun Exposure:Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a primary factor in photo-aging, causing oxidative stress and DNA damage.
Pollution: Environmental pollutants generate free radicals that can damage skin cells and accelerate aging.
Smoking: Tobacco smoke contains harmful chemicals that cause oxidative stress and reduce blood flow to the skin, leading to premature wrinkles.
Improper Diet: A diet high in sugars and unhealthy fats can lead to glycation, where sugars attack proteins, resulting in loss of skin elasticity.
Sleep Quality: poor sleep quality or reduced hours of sleep. Main effects: inflammation, drooping eyelids and under-eye bags, increased expression wrinkles.
Physical Activity: sedentary lifestyle. Main effects: high levels of homocysteine that can lead to incorrect DNA methylation.
Stress: Chronic stress triggers inflammation and hormonal imbalances that can exacerbate skin aging.

These factors disrupt four crucial cellular processes:

Oxidation: Free radicals attack cellular structures, making them unstable and prone to damage.
Glycation: Sugars attack protein structures like collagen, leading to loss of skin tone and elasticity.
Inflammation: Excessive and chronic inflammation accelerates cellular aging and damage.
Incorrect DNA Methylation: Suboptimal DNA replication affects cellular information and function, leading to premature aging.

Strategies to Counteract the Exposome

Having addressed the main causes that lead to an accelerated and premature skin ageing, it is fundamental to understand how to mitigate and – if possible – counteract the negative effects of the exposome.

To do so it is essential to adopt a holistic approach that includes protective measures, lifestyle modifications, and targeted skincare products.

Sun Protection: Use broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher to protect against UV radiation. Wear protective clothing and seek shade during peak sun hours.
Pollution Defense: Cleanse the skin thoroughly to remove pollutants and use antioxidants like vitamin C to neutralize free radicals.
Quit Smoking: Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke to reduce oxidative stress and improve skin health.
Healthy Diet: Consume a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats to support skin function.
Quality Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to allow the skin to repair and regenerate.
Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity to boost circulation and deliver essential nutrients to the skin.
Stress Management: Practice stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, yoga, or mindfulness to maintain hormonal balance and reduce inflammation.

Can skincare mitigate exposome effects?

In addition to lifestyle changes, choosing skincare products formulated with ingredients aimed to help protect cell longevity* can significantly support in counteracting the effects of the exposome. In order to mitigate these effects, [ comfort zone ]’ s internal laboratories have developed an exclusive complex to favor the skin in protecting cellular longevity and counteracting accelerated aging, the Longevity Complex™.

This complex acts on the four cellular mechanisms targeted by the exposome, oxidation, glycation, inflammation, methylation thanks to a specific mix of organic superfood and high-tech ingredients. More specifically the Longevity Complex™ contains 3 organic extracts:

Wild Indigo extract, which helps modulate the skin’s response to stress,
Myrtle Berry extract, to neutralize free radicals
Spinach extract, to promote proper methylation

And

Carnosine, a dipeptide chosen to counteract glycation.

Studies conducted by [ comfort zone ]’s researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of this mix of ingredients.

For more details on the experiment validating this complex, check out our full blog article on the skin longevity concept.

*Independent laboratory, in vitro test of the ingredient on fibroblasts, B-galactosidase quantification.

Our solution

After years of dedicated research, scientists from the [ comfort zone ] team have brought to the light a discovery. They’ve developed the Longevity Complex™ that, thoughout in vitro tests, has been shown to significantly impact the longevity of skin cells. This complex is proven to protect skin cell longevity, therefore, delaying cell aging rate by 80%.*

To fully meet the diverse needs of the skin, the new skincare line introduces 14 innovative products designed to create a customized skin care routine. This line is divided into three essential steps:

- DETOX

- POWER

- TREAT

Among them, the three hero products, Detox Cleanser, Ha4 Jelly Serum and Tripeptide Gel Cream that have been studied to reduce wrinkles by 15,5%* in 28 days when used together in a routine.

*Independent laboratory, in vitro test of the ingredient on fibroblasts, B-galactosidase quantification.

**Independent laboratory, instrumental evaluations, 40 participants, 28 days of using Detox Cleanser, HA4 Jelly Serum, and Tripeptide Gel Cream.

Conclusion

A skin flaw might not be just a cosmetic concern; it could indicate a deeper issue. Relying solely on external treatments, even the most effective ones, risks addressing only the surface. Without understanding the root causes, problems are likely to return. So, what's the best approach? Look deeper by understanding the skin's connection to the body as a whole. Understanding the exposome provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the multifaceted nature of skin aging. By recognizing the impact of environmental and lifestyle factors on our skin, we can take proactive steps to protect and nourish it.

Combining healthy habits with targeted skincare products can effectively counteract the negative effects of the exposome, promoting youthful radiant skin at any age. Embrace a holistic approach to skincare and make informed choices to maintain your skin's health and vitality for years to come.