By Kimberly Drake
Using data from 157 countries, the Healthnews team developed an Environmental Skin Aging Index based on solar radiation and air pollution levels.
Their findings indicate skin aging is the least severe in Northern Europe and most accelerated in Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula, mainly influenced by the vast differences in solar radiation levels.
The Healthnews research team analyzed six environmental skin aging factors in each country, including overall solar and ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels, particulate matter, ozone, and NO2 pollution levels, and the prevalence of tobacco use—an indirect indicator of second-hand smoke exposure.
Egypt exhibits the most challenging environmental factors for human skin with an index score of 81.67. Solar radiation in Egypt is 1,200 times higher than in some of the Northern European countries, such as Ireland.
Specifically, Egypt ranks 1st globally for overall solar radiation, 5th for PM2.5 levels, 11th for ozone concentrations, and 30th for NO₂ pollution.
Apart from Egypt, Western Asia countries dominate the list of countries worst for skin aging. All analyzed Arabian Peninsula countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, appear in the top 15 countries with the highest index scores globally.
Countries with best environments for you skin
Northern European countries dominate the top 15 list where environmental factors are favorable for your skin, largely due to low solar and UV radiation—a key factor in the Environmental Skin Aging Index.
Ireland has the most favorable conditions for healthy skin globally with an index score of 15.15. Ireland boasts the lowest solar radiation levels. Ireland’s PM2.5 levels average around 11 μg/m³, which is 2.3 times above the WHO guideline of 5 μg/m³, but still lower than in 143 other countries.
Ireland is followed by nations like Norway, Sweden, Estonia, and the United Kingdom, which have low solar radiation with moderate air pollutant levels. Other skin-friendly countries include Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, Canada, Germany, and Belarus, because they maintaining relatively low PM2.5, NO₂, ozone, and solar radiation levels.
How did the the United States rank?
With an Environmental Skin Aging Index score of 50.30, the U.S. ranks 92nd out of the 157 countries analyzed.
However, the Healthnews research team notes that the U.S. is one of the largest countries, and their analysis averages metrics nationwide.
Consequently, some regions in America may experience a greater negative impact on skin aging — for example, due to state-level variations in solar radiation.
The U.S. ranked 9th in NO2 pollution levels worldwide but did reasonably well in PM2.5 concentrations at 11 μg/m3 (146th place globally).
America also ranks 38th worldwide in ozone pollution, which is relatively high.
To find where your country ranks for environmental skin aging risk–visit the Environmental Skin Aging Index report.
The Views Expressed In This Article Belong Solely To The Original Author, And We Assume No Responsibility For Its Accuracy, Completeness, Or Any Consequences Arising From Its Use.
