Cosmetics Firm Aims to Fight Pollution’s Effects on Skin
Cosmetics giant L’Oreal has launched a new environmental initiative — not one designed to fight pollution, but rather to fight pollution’s effects on skin and hair. The company is teaming up with the European Space Agency to use Envisat, a powerful environmental monitoring satellite, to track levels of ozone, carbon monoxide, and UV radiation in major metropolitan areas such as London and Los Angeles. With that data in hand, L’Oreal plans to create moisturizers, shampoos, and face creams specifically designed for use in the world’s most polluted cities. Someday, “smart” cosmetics might even be able to adapt to fluctuating daily pollution levels, says Patricia Pineau, a L’Oreal executive. Hey, you might be breathing deadly air, but at least you can look good while doing it.
