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With the advancement in technology and industries, our environment is flooded with pollutants having a broad range of pathophysiological implications. Any substance released in the environment with harmful consequences can be regarded as a pollutant. Skin is exposed to a variety of chemical and biological pollutants present in the indoor and outdoor air [41]. The major categories of air pollutants consist of particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), gases (ozone, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) [42]. These pollutants upon skin absorption can induce direct oxidative damage to skin cells and extracellular matrix elements. Conversely, they may also display indirect toxic effects by stimulating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) transduction pathway [43]. AhR is present in skin cells whose natural ligand is a xenobiotic compound dioxin. AhR activation induces the expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes, which are involved in xenobiotic compound degradation. Certain by‐products/intermediates of this pathway are toxic to the cell in the sense that they may generate oxidative stress [43]. AhR pathway can be activated by several VOCs and gaseous pollutants with variable efficacies. Recurrent exposer of skin to such air pollutants will accelerate the skin aging process.

Overall, our skin needs to be carefully looked in before applying any cream, lotion, or ointment on the skin. Normally, creams are composed of either synthetic or natural ingredients. To date, due to high demand and consumption under the skincare segment, much of the creams are combinations of synthetic chemicals. However, drawbacks like side reactions, allergy are shifting the interest of the market on organic, herbal, or natural cosmetics. Also, to fulfil current market demand, most of the companies are working on finding a biological source for the production of important cosmetic compounds instead of going to generate new synthetic compounds. This trend will lead to the sustainable production of cosmetics using biological origin to satisfy the consumers' demand [44].