Impact of the exposome on the skin health. New findings for new cosmetic testing methods

Evidence describing the interaction of environmental and lifestyle factors with our genetics and their impact of skin health are increasing. However, even if genetics is important, genetic factors are not the major causes of chronic disease. In genome-wide association studies the impact of genetic factors was estimated to be less than 20% while the remaining 80% was attributed to exposome. The term “exposome” describes the totality of exposures to which an individual is subjected from conception to death. It includes both external and internal factors and their interaction. Even if the skin exposome has not received major attention and a corresponding official definition is lacking, everyone can see the effects of environment and lifestyle on skin health and appearance. Contrary to the epigenetic concept, the exposome challenge is something that the cosmetic industry can afford since the skin protection is in the cosmetic product regulatory definition. In this presentation the author will guide the audience through the intrinsic and the extrinsic factors of the skin exposome. This new way of looking the interaction of cosmetic products and the skin introduces the need and the opportunity to rethink the cosmetic testing methods and to introduce the – omics sciences.