POV 25 - SKIN : NEXT FRONTIER TO LONGEVITY

A WINDOW INTO HEALTH

Often overlooked in favor of wearables and trackers, skin — the body’s largest organ —  offers insights far beyond surface-level.

Skin 101 - Skin is made of 3 distinct cellular structures, each with unique role : 

• Epidermis, outermost layer serving as physical barrier; 
• Dermis, containing blood vessels, nerves, sweat glands, and hair roots; 
• Subcutaneous, made of fat cells.

The skin holds central roles as a 1- physical, immune and microbiotic barrier to pathogens, 2- is an active endocrine organ and 3- an energy reserve & thermoregulator.  

With a complete cell turnover every 28 days, skin is a fast-reacting window into overall health, showing signs of both acute and chronic conditions (e.g. infections, stress, nutrient deficiencies).

More than meets the eye - Beyond simply being a barrier to external insults, skin also participates in many processes and its appearance often reveal signs of dysfunctions or ailments:  

• Dehydration, manifesting through dry or flaky skin.
• Vitamin D synthesis, crucial to bone health, depends on skin’s integrity and sun exposure. 
• Redness – can indicate inflammation and autoimmune disease.
• Discolored or yellow skin – can signal liver and kidney issues.
• Yellow deposits around on the eyelids are due to high-blood cholesterol and sugar levels.
• Flushed skin – Red skin plaques may indicate hypertension, hyperthyroidism.
• Sagging skin – may result from low collagen or elastin, poor sleep quality or nutrient deficiencies.
• Hormone imbalance or mental stress – high-cortisol promotes break down of collagen & elastin, leading to hair and skin thinning, and premature aging.  

The close link between skin and systemic health makes it an accessible and early natural wellness tracker.

MARKET TRENDS SHAPING SKINCARE

As skin health continues to reflect and influence wellness, consumers are moving beyond high-street beauty products, and seeking products promoting skin health & longevity.

SKINCARE MARKET is GLOWING

Skincare represents nearly half of the $430B beauty market and is expected to grow at 6% CAGR through 2027. Despite being under increased inflationary pressure potentially affecting discretionary spending, this could lead consumers to be more selective and seek more personalized skincare solutions.

Expanding Demographics – Men are increasingly breaking stereotypes by investing time and money into personal care and wellness routines, a trend expanding into skinification of hair care.

Look good, feel good - au naturel Younger generations are getting into minimalist, no-makeup trends in favor of clinically-proven and clean skincare with natural, holistic and probiotic ingredients, dietary supplements, and beauty devices like LED face masks.

In 2024, McKinsey identified increased consumers' interest for clinically-proven and clean products, highlighting a shift toward effectiveness and sustainability.

SKIN IN THE GAME 

Celebrities and pro athletes of various sports  – both women and men – are getting into the skincare industry; either by launching their own brands or entering into partnerships with skincare companies. 

Notable examples include :

• Naomi Osaka’s KINLÒ – a functional skincare line focused on darker-skinned individuals. 
• The rock’s PAPATUI – a brand emphasizing youthful skin health for men.
• OffCourt – performance beauty products for active men.
• Medalist – a line of skin products for female athletes launched during the Paris Olympics by internet phenom and American women rugby team member Ilona Maher.

And major brands are pushing their products to athletes and sports leagues.

Athlete-driven skincare is appealing to new demographics as it highlights the connection between skin health, fitness and wellness.

SKIN AGING

Skin appearance and wrinkling reveal much about one’s age, healthspan & longevity, and can serve as indicators of (premature) aging.

• Photoaging refers to premature skin aging from unprotected and prolonged sun exposure. 
• Inflammaging or chronic - low-grade - inflammation is another key driver of premature aging. Healthy skin supports a strong immune defense, while compromised skin weakens its barrier function, making it susceptible to inflammation damages.
• Skin undergoes structural transformation with age, reducing its efficiency in producing vitamin D – pivotal for bone density and prevention of osteoporosis, hallmarks of aging. 
• Metabolic and hormonal dysfunctions can manifest as dark cutaneous marks. 
• Healing ability is a strong indicator of cell turnover & regeneration and overall cellular health. Slow healing is common in aging. 

Such connections between skin appearance and aging led to the development of platforms evaluating skin tone, elasticity and other external properties as a non-invasive proxy to biological age – or skin age. NOVOS, FaceAge – using facial images, OneSkin’s MolClock – using skin samples or skin surface lipids, are examples of such tools.

THE GUT-SKIN AXIS

The skin and gut share many structural similarities and host diverse bacterial communities – hence skin-to-skin of new parents to their newborn for the benefit of their infant’s microbiome. 

As is the case for the intestine, disruption of skin’s structural integrity or microbiome can lead to inflammatory and immune conditions such as Eczema. The surprising bidirectional skin-gut axis has highlighted the potential for pre- and probiotics interventions to mediate skin aging, and improve elasticity, firmness & barrier function.

Biotics-based nutritional supplements or dermal treatments, like SIV’s biome balancing serum, are thus promising candidates for addressing signs of skin aging.

PRECISION SKINCARE

With a growing focus on skincare and skin longevity, new technologies are creating pathways for precision skincare that supports health for years to come.

Skin patches - some like The patch brand use science-backed active ingredients, while others like Superpatch, are exploring scientifically debatable nervous system-stimulating technologies to address skin health concerns and beyond.

The rise of “Skincare-as-a-Service”

A new wave of AI-driven skin diagnostics is making personalized skincare more accessible. Leading brands such as L'Oréal, Roche Posay, ROC, and runner-up Skin+me and local Canadian Omy now offer AI-powered skin assessments from consumers’ selfie images as part of their product lines. 

• FitSkin smartphone scanner companion to personalize skin and hair product selection.
• Remote Dermatology Platforms Selfie-based skin imaging platforms provide remote first-line dermatological diagnosis and treatment plans, bringing dermatology into the digital age.

Longevity by the skin

• Estée Lauder launched a skin longevity institute, complete with its first patented skin-aging reversing ointment.
• Clinique La Prairie longevity hubs.
• One skin offers science-backed and appealing products specifically targeting markers of aging and promoting youthful skin.
• Timeline skin care containing Urolithin A, their signature mitochondrial bioactive.

Consumer Devices

• Acie AI-driven device to monitor skin health and deliver red & blue light, contrast and bioactive therapies. 
• TheraFace cold & heat or red-light skincare device, offering treatments intended to improve skin appearance by inducing dermal vascular blood flow.
• Less sophisticated but following similar lines, the popularity of facial self-massaging devices has soared, fueled by claims of rejuvenating improved micro-circulation. Best to handle with caution or opt for in-clinic options, as their validity and efficacy remain debated – similar to skin micro-needlers.

While these treatments and technologies play a valuable role in supporting skin’s health and appearance, a holistic, healthy lifestyle that nourishes skin from within remains the ultimate foundation for lasting vitality.

ACTIVELY SUPPORTING SKIN HEALTH

Athletes and active individuals often take pride in their healthy glow or signature tan lines earned from hours spent outdoors. More than aesthetic, skin appearance can symbolize a health and wellness-focus lifestyle.

An active lifestyle

• improves blood circulation, enhances cellular turnover and regeneration, and
• relieves stress and notably lowers cortisol. 

while a healthy diet, rich in

• proteins and healthy fats (low processed sugars) supports skin’s structural integrity;
• vitamin A (retinol), C, D, and E promotes anti-inflammatory and antioxidants mechanisms; 
• fibers, is essential for functional gut microbiome.

Protection for the long-run 

Prolonged sun exposure can however take its toll on the skin and result in premature aging.

A comprehensive skincare regimen including cleansing, restoring, strengthening, and protective sunscreen and SPF clothing are particularly important to promote skin health and longevity.

SHAPING THE FUTURE

Skincare is set to become an essential pillar of health and longevity as consumers prioritize holistic wellness, driven by technological innovation.