Skin Res. Technol.. 2020;00:1–7. | 1 wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/srt 1 | INTRODUCTION Overall facial skin colour is an important sign of perceived health and attractiveness. 1 In Asia, fairer skin (or lighter skin tone) epitomizes the ideal of beauty, it is also traditionally associated with higher so- cial status and wealth. Skin colour is predetermined by genetic fac- tors and is influenced by cultural and living habits, ultraviolet (UV) exposure, climate/seasons and ageing. 2-4 Though there have been several publications investigating the impact of various factors on skin colour, to date, there have been no studies investigating the im- pact of air pollution on skin colour. Air pollution can damage the skin barrier and there is growing evidence that air pollution can contribute to skin ageing. 5,6 Sources of air pollution are varied and can include vehicle exhaust, electric power plants, industrial facilities, and fossil fuels used for heating. 7 These pollutants can damage skin by various mechanisms which can lead to skin dryness, loss of firmness, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles. 8 Received: 20 May 2020 | Revised: 28 August 2020 | Accepted: 5 September 2020 DOI: 10.1111/srt.12953 ORIGINAL ARTICLE The effect of air pollution on the skin colour and tone of Chinese women: A multicentre cohort study Alex Nkengne 1 | Julie Robic 1 | Bee Leng Lua 2 © 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd 1 Laboratoires CLARINS I, 5 rue Ampère I 95300 CERGY-PONTOISE CEDEX I FRANCE I, Pontoise, France 2 Clarins Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore Correspondence Bee Leng Lua, Clarins Pte Ltd, 3 Killiney Road, Winsland House 1,#09-03/07, e239519 Singapore, Singapore. Email: beeleng.lua@clarins.com Abstract Background: Overall facial skin colour is an important sign of perceived health and attractiveness, is predetermined by genetic factors, and is influenced by cultural and living habits, ultraviolet (UV) exposure, climate/seasons and ageing. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of pollution on the skin colour of Chinese women. Materials and Methods: A total of 203 Chinese women between 20 and 59 years of age participated in the study and were selected from two cities with different levels of air pollution. Skin colour (L*, a* and b* values), melanin and haemoglobin levels were measured at three sites: the cheek, eye and inner upper arm. Measurements of the inner upper arm were taken as this area of skin was exposed to air pollutants but had minimal exposure to UV light. Results: There were significant differences in skin chromophores between Chinese women living in two different cities with different levels of pollution. The b* value (yellowness) was higher in the eye and cheek region, and the a* value (redness) was lower in the cheek and arm region for women in the moderately polluted city. The melanin index was significantly higher, and the haemoglobin level was lower for the eye region for women living in the city with a higher level of air pollution. Conclusion: This study has shown that air pollution may negatively affect the skin colour of Chinese women. KEYWORDS air pollution, Chinese women, facial skin colour, melanin, skin chromophores