What is Skin Quality and How Can You Improve it?

What is Skin Quality?

Skin quality refers to the overall health, appearance, and functionality of your skin. Healthy skin is resilient, hydrated, smooth, and even toned with balanced collagen and elastin production to maintain firmness.

While the term "skin quality" has become more common, there was no official definition until a study published in Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology brought together 10 dermatologists from across the world who served on an advisory board to establish a definition. They reached a consensus that good skin quality is defined as "healthy, youthful in appearance (appearing younger than a person's chronological age), undamaged skin and that skin quality can be described across all ethnicities by four emergent perceptual categories (EPCs): skin tone evenness, skin surface evenness, skin firmness, and skin glow." ¹

The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology also published another study where a group of 10 global experts (dermatologists and esthetic physicians) identified the main measurable aspects that contribute to skin quality, and these were combined to form the Skin Quality Assessment Scale (SQS). The scale comprises four overarching skin quality domains containing nine measurable aspects: texture (pores, lines, scars); discoloration (redness, pigmentation, dullness); firmness (laxity); and hydro-lipid balance (oiliness, dryness).² 

As we explore how to improve skin quality we will incorporate the markers included in both of these scientific papers. 

How is Skin Quality Measured?

Skin quality is measured by evaluating several key factors that reflect both its appearance and health. These components help determine the overall condition of the skin:

• Hydration: How moisturized the skin is, giving it a glowy, dewy look.
• Elasticity: The skin's firmness and ability to bounce back.
• Texture: The smoothness of the skin, without rough patches or scars.
• Even toned: How even the skin tone is, which may be affected by concerns such as redness or hyperpigmentation.
• Radiance: The skin's natural glow and brightness.

Daily Habits to Improve Skin Quality

Both intrinsic elements (like genetics and chronological aging) and extrinsic elements (such as UV exposure, pollution, stress, and lifestyle) affect skin quality. Here are a few things we can do daily to help achieve great skin quality:

1. Hydration: Staying hydrated is important to maintaining skin elasticity, smooth texture, and a youthful appearance. Proper hydration strengthens the skin barrier, protects against environmental stressors, and prevents moisture loss, leaving the skin plumper and more radiant. To learn more about how to keep your skin hydrated, check out this blog post.

2. Sun & Environmental Protection: It is important to protect your skin daily from harmful UV, high energy visible light, infrared radiation & pollution, that can cause wrinkles, dark spots, and long-term damage like collagen breakdown. Check out our Total Protection® Collection to see what fits you best. Our all-mineral formulas offer broad-spectrum defense against UVA/UVB rays, blue light, and pollution while being gentle on the skin.

3. Healthy Diet: A healthy diet plays an important role in maintaining skin quality by supplying the nutrients needed for repair and protection. Foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, fight free radicals that cause premature aging. Healthy fats strengthen the skin’s barrier function, improving hydration and elasticity.

4. Skincare Routine: The right products, chosen for your specific skin type, can address concerns like dryness, oiliness, irritation, dullness, redness, hyperpigmentation, and sensitivity. A skin health professional can help determine your skin type and recommend products that best suit your skin, it is well worth the investment.

5. Stress Management: Chronic stress can affect your skin, causing breakouts, inflammation, and faster aging, as well as flare-ups of conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Incorporating practices like mindfulness, acupuncture, meditation, exercise, or yoga can help reduce stress and promote a healthier, more balanced life.³

Colorescience Products that Address Skin Quality

To achieve great skin, focus on products that boost skin firmness, support hydration, protect the skin barrier, and target specific concerns like redness or pigmentation.

The Colorescience® Barrier Pro™ Duo is suitable for every skin type, supporting the skin’s microbiome, strengthening the skin’s barrier, and promoting hydration. This multifunctional duo helps balance and soothe the skin, leading to a smoother, more resilient complexion. Read more about the benefits of our Barrier Pro™ Duo here.

Pep Up® Collagen Boost Face & Neck Serum stimulates collagen production, promoting firmer and more rejuvenated skin. This serum helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while enhancing skin's elasticity – giving the face and neck a smoother, more youthful appearance. Pep Up has been clinically proved to improve skin firmness, increase collagen, and boost hydration.

All Calm® Multi-Correction Serum and Even Up® Multi-Correction Serum are perfect for reducing redness and pigmentation. All Calm® works to soothe irritation and redness, leaving skin feeling calm and comfortable, while Even Up® targets discoloration and dark spots, promoting a more even skin tone. Both products boost hydration and regulate epidermal renewal.

For the delicate eye area, the Total Eye® Firm & Repair Cream addresses puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines while providing hydration. In a peer-reviewed published study, 82% of subjects who had concerns about firmness and laxity experienced improvement, including in the upper eyelids and 87% of subjects who had concerns about lines and wrinkles agreed they experienced improvement.

Finally, don’t forget to protect your skin. Our all-mineral, patented, and award-winning Total Protection® Collection is powered by EnviroScreen® Technology and suitable for every skin type, even the most sensitive. Find your favorite Total Protection® products here.

Achieving and maintaining great skin quality is about taking care of your skin every day. By staying hydrated, protecting your skin from the sun, eating well, managing stress, and using products that address your targeted skin concerns, you can help your skin look and feel its best. With consistent care, you’ll enjoy healthier, more radiant skin.

¹Goldie, K., et al. (2021). Skin quality – A holistic 360° view: Consensus results. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8214518

²Martschin, C., et al. (2024). Development and Validation of a Novel Holistic Skin Quality Assessment Scale. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jocd.16615    

³American Academy of Dermatology. (2022). Feeling stressed? It can show in your skin, hair, and nails. https://www.aad.org/news/stress-shows-in-skin-hair-nails