Exploration of Natural Adsorbents for Applications in Pollution-Reducing Cosmetic Formulations

The document reviews the use of natural adsorbents, such as zeolites, clays, activated carbon, and polyphenol-rich plant extracts, in anti-pollution cosmetic formulations to protect skin and hair from environmental pollutants. These materials have adsorption capacities of 60 to 150 mg·g−1 and removal efficiencies of 30–55%, and incorporating 2–5% of them in cosmetics can significantly reduce pollutant deposition. The review highlights the detrimental effects of pollutants on skin and hair, including accelerated aging and hair loss, and emphasizes the potential of these natural materials to offer a sustainable strategy distinct from antioxidant-based approaches. Challenges such as regulatory compliance and the need for standardized testing protocols are noted, with a call for interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize formulations and establish performance benchmarks.