There are many types of skincare technology that already seem space-age, such as the laser skin clinic and the use of ever-more exotic skincare compounds.
However, one field that the skincare industry is looking at with considerable interest is makeup and skin products that can be used in space.
Whilst out of reach for many people at the moment, space tourism is developing at a rate fast enough that beauty companies are considering the implications of space travel on our skincare and the requirements needed to even use a product in microgravity or with minimal water.
However, whilst the full benefits will only be enjoyed by private astronauts, a lot of the research and development into solving these issues will benefit people who remain on Terra Firma.
Why Is Space Such A Problem For Skin?
Skincare, along with any other grooming routine, is very different in space due to several fundamental challenges caused by a lack of gravity.
Showers are very difficult and fundamentally different to those on Earth. Baths are impossible, as is laundry and using running water to wash your face or clean your teeth, which means that cleaning products are going to need to require little water and be as easy to apply in near-zero gravity as possible.
Beyond the issues with keeping up a routine, there are some rather more significant issues seen in space, chief among which is radiation.
Many of us are aware of the damage the sun can do to our skin, and this is magnified in space when there is no atmospheric protection at all. This can lead to immediate and intense signs of ageing.
As well as this, the lack of gravity itself can cause damage to the skin, with the exact causes of such still being the focus of intense research.
Space Age Solutions
However, whilst the potential effects of cosmic radiation and zero-gravity are significant, they are also well-known, and decades of research within both the cosmetics industry and space sector have combined to create a range of different solutions that tackle each issue.
The most advanced example are creams, lotions and supplements that can counteract these effects, often using a mix of antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E.
One example of this is a cream, initially designed to help the skin heal at a rapid rate that is also used to help patients reduce the appearance of scars and heal from surgery faster when on Earth, which was initially developed with the help of scientists from the Soviet space programme.
Beyond this, many major companies are working on space-friendly solutions, such as stain removal wipes and pens, waterless dental care products, space-friendly fragrances to help combat travel sickness and water-free skincare.
The latter is not only useful to avoid wasting a very precious resource whilst on a space station, but has also seen increased popularity on earth, and so devices such as massaging silicone brushes, classic sheet masks and water-free skin products that use oils instead of water come into their own.
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