The exposome: the new paradigm for our skin
The functioning of our cells is influenced by more than simply genetic factors: our environment, eating habits and lifestyle affect them, as well.
Like the rest of the human body, the skin experiences and adapts to the different stressors it is exposed to by virtue of the way we live: UVB and UVA rays in outdoor environments, cold and dryness, pollution, an urban lifestyle and certain chemicals.
Our personal environmental fingerprint
All of these stressors taken together are known as the exposome. Our exposome, like our genome, is specific to each individual and varies depending on our location, lifestyle and diet.
Disrupting our circadian rhythm
Stress, lack of sleep and urban lifestyles have an impact on our body’s circadian rhythm (biological rhythm), affecting the ability of our skin cells (including stem cells) to replace themselves.
Correlation with pollution
Varying pollution levels and pollutant types, which contaminate us differently depending on the location and degree of air pollution, are associated with the appearance of pigmentary problems.
Consequences on the skin
There are numerous cutaneous consequences to pollution exposure: disrupted barrier function, imbalanced microbiome, oily skin, reduced moisture retention and acceleration and exacerbation of the appearance of signs of ageing, including dark spots.