Zeropollution, a four-botanical complex formulated by Monteloeder, may help to support scalp health in the presence of environmental stressors, according to a new clinical study on individuals with sensitive scalps living in densely populated urban areas.
 
The blend of rosemary, olive leaves, lemon verbena, and Japanese pogoda has previously been evidenced to support physiological measures of skin health in people with normal or sensitive skin who spent at least two hours outdoors in a heavily polluted urban area.
 
The present study provides evidence that the botanical ingredient may support hair care, by exerting holistic benefits on the scalp.
 
Study Details
 
People living in highly-polluted areas have altered sebum composition, which affects the scalp’s ability to retain moisture and protect against environmental insults, Monteloeder reports. The skin, including the scalp, is often the first line of defense against air pollutants like particulate matter, smoking, and UV radiation to be compromised. Pollution can alter the skin barrier and microflora, and increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, damaging cell membranes, and leading to scalp irritation, redness, dandruff, and changes to hair texture.
 
The 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was led by Vincenzo Nobile, PhD, and was published in the August 2024 journal Cosmetics. The trial investigated the effects of Zeropollution on physiological parameters of the skin and scalp in 66 women residing in a highly-urbanized area. The women received either a 250 mg gel capsule of Zeropollution or a matching placebo daily.
 
By the end of the three-month treatment period, the treatment group saw a nearly 22% increase in measures of skin antioxidant capacity, enhanced skin moisturization, and a 25% boost in measurements of skin radiance, along with measurable reductions in wrinkle depth and skin oiliness. Scalp moisturization improved by over 14%, with noted reductions in skin moisture loss. Scalp sebum growth diminished by 16%. Additionally, 71% of participants with scalp sensitivity in the treatment group saw reductions in redness. Significantly greater improvements than placebo were recorded in the treatment group by week four of the study.
 
“Zeropollution is a polyphenol-rich blend of natural botanicals with dual-action benefits,” said Nuria Caturla, PhD, chief R&D officer of Monteloeder. “It nourishes and rejuvenates both your skin and scalp, helping to protect against environmental stressors while enhancing overall skin and scalp health. The result is a refreshed and revitalized appearance. This beauty-from-within formula also emerges as a highly relevant solution to the current trend of skinification.”
 
Monteloeder defines the trend of skinification as the integration of commonly-known skin actives into other categories, such as hair care, driving the demand for multifunctional products that can provide consumers with all-in-one solutions.
 
“Zeropollution was crafted based on evidence that consuming a diverse range of antioxidants is more effective than a high dose of a single antioxidant,” said Caturla. “This is ascribed to their complementary activity. The selection of these botanicals followed an extensive review of anecdotal and scientific literature, further validated through in vitro, ex vivo, and clinical testing to ensure the formula’s effectiveness.”
 
According to Monteloeder, rosemary leaf extract has previously been evidenced to improve inflammatory response in a study on skin biopsies from persons exposed to diesel engine exhaust, potentially mitigating the effects of pollution on the skin.
 
Veracosides present in lemon verbena offer a range of benefits, including antioxidant skin brightening properties.
 
Sophora japonica is rich in quercetin, and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for skin soothing and anti-aging properties, anecdotally.
 
Olive polyphenols are evidenced to have a direct antioxidant effect on skin, Monteloeder stated.
 
“This clinical study expands on the the product’s applicability to scalp health discovered in a previous lab-based study,” said Marcos López, U.S. sales director for Monteloeder. “Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the link between hair quality and scalp health. Today’s informed consumers seek products that naturally soothe, hydrate, and enhance the scalp to alleviate common issues such as dandruff, itchiness, oiliness, and dryness, as well as to enhance hair vibrancy. This study confirms that the Zeropollution nutricosmetic goes beyond bare skin health to address scalp concerns as well.”