These anti-aging technologies of the future have laboratories in a frenzy. The science of epigenetics takes into account the impact of environment and lifestyle on gene expression. It lies at the heart of the mechanisms of youthfulness. Cosmetics research is discovering new plant ingredients that reactivate the skin’s youth genes. Eucerin, Skin Diligent and Clarins are among the first to use them.
An unbalanced lifestyle accentuates the signs of aging. Skin ageing is not 100% genetic in origin - far from it! Scientists now estimate that only 20% of skin aging is influenced by genetics, and 80% by our environment (pollution, UV exposure, etc.) and lifestyle (stress, smoking, lack of sleep, diet, etc.), also known as epigenetic factors.
These “put to sleep” the skin’s youth genes.
According to Eucerin, under the influence of environmental factors, epigenetic markers, like “post-its”, are affixed to genes by specialized DNA enzymes.
This information then guides gene expression. This is known as the “methylation” process, one of the body’s biological reactions necessary for good health.
As we age, the enzymes involved in methylation “switch off” the youthful genes. So, instead of being activated, the skin’s youth genes are put to sleep, and the synthesis of fundamental elements for the skin, such as collagen and elastin by fibroblasts, is slowed down.
The good news is that cosmetic science is discovering how to reactivate these cutaneous youth genes using plant-based cosmetic ingredients.
The first to include the word Epigenetics in its brand signature, Skin Diligent is a French-Korean brand exclusively dedicated to epigenetic skincare, combining France’s passion for natural …
