For over a year now, the COVID health crisis has changed our lives and increased our levels of stress. Alarm bells are ringing as the World Health Organization is warning that stress has a profound impact on mental health and predicts it may become the number one public health enemy by 2030.1

Exposome factors (any disturbance to homeostasis from environmental and/or internal exposure) have significant influence on skin quality and health. The clinical and biological impact of chronic exposome effects on skin functions has been extensively reviewed, whereas there is a paucity of information on the impact of short-term acute exposure. This topic has been covered in a recent review by a multidisciplinary board of experts and published in the JEADV.2

Indeed, acute exposure to stress, which would typically last minutes to hours and Alter the skin physical barrier. Weaken defenses and skin structure. Disturb pigmentation, neuroendocrine, and thermoregulation functions.

Clinical manifestations of acutely stressed skin include dry skin that might accentuate fine lines, oily skin, sensitive skin, pruritus, erythema, pale skin, as well as flares of inflammatory skin conditions such as pigmentation disorders. New formulations are thus required to counteract the effects of acute stress on the skin.

One article in this supplement describes properties of Vichy volcanic mineralizing water (VVMW), which percolates through volcanic and magmatic rocks in the Auvergne in France to create a pure, highly mineralized water. VVMW has properties to strengthen the skin barrier, skin antioxidant defenses, and has anti-inflammatory action.3

Probiotics are live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.4, 5 Semiactive, non-replicating bacteria or extracts used in dermocosmetics have interesting properties for skin quality.6, 7 A second article in this supplement describes properties of Vitreoscilla filiformis grown in a medium containing VVMW (VfeV) and cultured by a fermentation process to obtain an extract. It is considered as a probiotic fraction because of the way it is produced and its action on the skin after topical application, having shown activity to strengthen the skin physical barrier function and maintain good homeostasis of skin defenses.8

Combining these two ingredients (VVMW and VfeV) may provide synergistic action both on skin barrier and skin immunity. A third article describes a dermocosmetic formulation (Mineral 89 probiotic fractions; M89PF) that has been developed with VVMW, VfeV, niacinamide (vitamin B3), hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E to repair the skin subjected to acute exposome stressors.9 A large platform of in vitro and clinical tests has been conducted. Sixteen studies were conducted on more than 900 women who indicated they were exposed to acute exposome stressors, such as peaks of stress, nutrition challenges, ultraviolet radiation, smoke aggression, or sleep deprivation, which are increasingly important in the context of the COVID health crisis. The M89PF formula speeds up skin barrier recovery and prevents oxidative stress. After 4 weeks of application, the M89PF formula improved fine lines, plumpness, elasticity, smoothness, radiance, and evenness. Thus, M89PF may help regenerate and repair the skin barrier in the case of skin exposed to stress, including environmental, lifestyle, and internal factors.9