Are Modern Cities Harming Sensitive Skin? Galderma’s Findings Say Yes
The Science Behind Sensitive Skin, Urban Stress & Natural Relief via Astaxanthin
Introduction
Modern urban environments—with pollution, chronic stress, UV exposure, and disrupted sleep—have been shown to trigger measurable biological changes in people with sensitive skin. Elevated inflammation, intensified oxidative stress, and visible environmental damage (dark spots, barrier breakdown, etc.) are more common in urban dwellers with sensitive skin versus those in less demanding settings. Recent dermatological research (e.g., from Galderma’s Global Sensitive Skincare Faculty) confirms a “triple threat” to skin health under modern stressors: inflammation, oxidative damage, and cumulative visible signs of degradation.
In response, skincare brands are increasingly turning to nature-derived antioxidants to counteract these effects. One promising agent is astaxanthin, a carotenoid with potent antioxidant + anti-inflammatory activity. Poetry of Skin (formerly Botanical Atelier) is among those offering sensitive skin formulations enriched with astaxanthin, aiming to buffer skin against the biological toll of urban living.
What Research Says about Astaxanthin & Skin Health
Below are key scientific findings showing how astaxanthin may help address the issues raised in the Galderma study (inflammation, oxidative stress, UV / pollution damage):
So, in short, astaxanthin’s mode of action addresses all three of the “modern living” skin stressors flagged by the Galderma study: oxidative stress, inflammation, and visible environmental damage (including photoaging).
How Poetry of Skin is Using These Insights
Here’s how Poetry of Skin is applying the science of astaxanthin to help sensitive skin in modern settings:
Natural, Clean Formulations: Poetry of Skin emphasizes natural and gentle ingredients. By incorporating astaxanthin, which can be derived naturally (often from microalgae like Haematococcus pluvialis), they can deliver antioxidant benefits without relying on harsh synthetics that might irritate sensitive skin.
Full Antioxidant Support: Astaxanthin doesn’t work alone. In advanced formulations, it can be combined with other antioxidants (e.g. Vitamin C, E, polyphenols) to create a synergistic antioxidant shield. This helps buffer the oxidative load from UV, pollution, and lifestyle stress.
Barrier Protection and Anti-Inflammatory Action: Since sensitive skin tends to have weakened barrier function (more prone to red, reactive responses), formulations that include astaxanthin can help reduce inflammatory signaling and support barrier recovery. For instance, astaxanthin’s suppression of cytokines and enzymes like COX-2 and iNOS may help reduce flare-ups and maintain structural integrity of skin.
Dual Delivery (Oral + Topical) Potential: Research shows benefits both from topical application and from supplements. While Poetry of Skin mainly works on topical products, there is potential in formulating serums or creams to maximize skin penetration, perhaps using delivery systems like liposomes or encapsulated formulations for better bioavailability. Some studies show liposomal astaxanthin more effectively reduces inflammation (in dermatitis models) than non-liposomal forms. Frontiers
Visible vs. Cellular Effects: Because urban environmental stress shows up both at skin surface (redness, pigmentation) and in deeper markers (oxidative biomarkers, inflammatory cytokine expression), formulations rich in astaxanthin can deliver benefits that are not only cosmetic but also measurable at the biological level. This aligns with the themes of the Galderma study: objective markers and visible outcomes.
You can find our product here.
Integrating Astaxanthin into a Sensitive Skin Regime
Practically speaking, here’s how someone with sensitive skin living in an urban area might benefit from a Poetry of Skin-style product line with astaxanthin:
Use a gentle cleanser; avoid over-exfoliating or using harsh surfactants that compromise barrier function.
Apply a serum with astaxanthin (natural, stable form). If included, pair with a mild antioxidant blend (C, E, botanical polyphenols).
Use moisturizer formulated to support barrier lipids (ceramides, fatty acids) to seal in the benefits.
Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Astaxanthin may help mitigate UV damage, but sunscreen remains primary defense.
At night, use richer formulations to support repair, as skin tends to regenerate overnight and during rest. Minimizing stress and ensuring sleep will synergize with external interventions.
Final Thoughts
The Galderma study makes clear: sensitive skin isn’t just “in your head”—it has measurable biological differences under modern stressors. Astaxanthin emerges in the literature as a scientifically supported tool for counteracting these stressors: reducing oxidative stress, suppressing inflammation, and limiting visible environmental damage.
For brands like Poetry of Skin, embedding astaxanthin into formulations—especially natural, gentle, barrier-supporting ones—addresses core vulnerabilities highlighted by current research. For consumers, choosing products with ingredients like astaxanthin, used wisely, offers a way to mitigate the damage urban modern life inflicts on sensitive skin.
SOURCE: https://www.galderma.com/news/galdermas-study-modern-living-sensitive-skin
