When NASA astronaut Christina Koch returned to Earth in February 2020 after spending a record-breaking 328 days in space, the physical toll was immediately evident. Her extended mission—almost a full year aboard the International Space Station—had transformed her body in ways that went far beyond a typical beauty routine disruption. The changes were stark: visible muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and perhaps most noticeably, alterations to her skin that suggested accelerated aging.
“Coming back to Earth was a bit of a sensory overload. My skin especially was very sensitive. It was like every sensation was maximized,” Koch reported at her post-mission NASA press conference in February 2020.
Dr. Jean-Marc Comtois, Head of Space Medicine at the Canadian Space Agency, explains: “The human body is perfectly adapted to Earth’s gravity. When you remove that gravity, virtually every system in the body is affected, from the cardiovascular system to the musculoskeletal system to the skin.”
This much we know: long space missions lead to accelerated aging in several ways. The lack of gravity causes muscle and bone density loss, weakens the heart and blood vessels, and shifts bodily fluids, potentially causing vision problems. Additionally, exposure to space radiation damages DNA and leads to cellular changes. While astronauts follow rigorous exercise protocols to mitigate some effects, the changes remain starkly visible upon their return to Earth—particularly in the skin, our largest and most visible organ.
What began as concerning medical data for NASA and other space agencies soon caught the attention of forward-thinking dermatologists and cosmetic companies. These skin experts quickly recognized that the accelerated aging and unique skin changes documented in returning astronauts represented an unprecedented opportunity to study skin degradation processes that normally take decades to observe on Earth. The compressed timeline of skin changes in microgravity offered a rare window into the fundamental mechanisms of aging. industry here on our home planet.
The Space-Aging Phenomenon: Beauty’s New Frontier
Dr. Joan Vernikos, former NASA Life Sciences Director, explains: “What we see in space in a matter of weeks would take decades to occur on Earth. Space offers a unique lens through which we can understand aging processes that would otherwise require longitudinal studies spanning generations.”
This cross-pollination between space medicine and dermatology has evolved into a mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge, technology, and commercial applications. As Dr. Simon Evetts, former lead of the Medical Projects and Technology Team at the European Astronaut Centre, notes: “The physiological changes we observe in space have direct relevance to the aging process on Earth. This has created natural partnerships with industries focused on addressing those same changes, particularly in skin care.”
The result has been a multi-billion dollar industry of “space-derived” skincare that commands premium prices based on its scientifically advanced origins. What began as necessary research to protect astronauts has evolved into groundbreaking innovations that are reshaping the beauty industry here on our home planet.
The evidence is compelling: a 2015 study on mice aboard the ISS showed significant dermal thinning after just three months in microgravity. For humans on multi-year missions—like potential Mars journeys—the implications could be severe.
From Cosmic Wounds to Cutting-Edge Serums
The NASA Integrated Medical Model (IMM), an operational tool used to optimise crew health and safety, has documented 100 in-flight medical conditions—ten of which are dermatological in nature. While most skin conditions in space have been relatively benign so far, extended missions to the Moon and Mars will significantly increase exposure time, potentially exacerbating these issues.
This accelerated timeline has allowed scientists to identify specific cellular pathways involved in skin aging. By understanding how collagen breaks down in space, researchers have developed targeted interventions that can be applied to address similar processes on Earth—albeit ones that occur much more slowly in normal gravity.
The story of 111Skin exemplifies how space-based research can transform into luxury skincare. When scientists needed solutions for treating astronaut wounds in the hostile environment of space, they sought help from Dr. Yannis Alexandrides, a Harley Street surgeon.
The collaboration led to the development of NAC Y² formula, a potent combination of antioxidants that became the foundation for 111Skin’s coveted serums.This innovative formula wasn’t created by typical cosmetic chemists but through collaboration with two scientists from the Soviet Space Program specifically to address skin changes triggered by space conditions.
The NAC Y² compound—a proprietary blend of n-acetyl cysteine, vitamin C, and escin—was designed to combat the extreme oxidative stress experienced by cosmonauts.
“Space creates unique challenges for healing,” notes Dr. Alexandrides. “When tissue regeneration is compromised by radiation and microgravity, you need extraordinarily powerful ingredients to overcome these barriers. What works in space will certainly work on Earth.”
The resulting products don’t just claim to be space-inspired—they contain technologies specifically designed to combat environmental stressors far more extreme than anything encountered on our planet’s surface. This has created a new category of “extreme condition” skincare formulated to protect against the most challenging environments humans face.
Now boasting over 60 products, and six ranges and venturing into supplements and body, the surgically-led label has come a long way in a short amount of time. The collections are designed to be mixed and matched to personalise your routine. The Reparative does as it suggests, repairs against environmental and lifestyle aggressors that cause skin ageing.
The Intensive is for those who have experienced some damage already or mature skin that needs extra care, while Regenerative takes inspiration from the brand’s Cryotherapy practices and is all about reducing inflammation, improving oxygenation and detoxification.
They are notably popular with celebrities including Victoria Beckham, Lady Gaga, Dakota Johnson, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Camilla Cabello
NASA’s Unexpected Beauty Legacy: LED Light Therapy
Perhaps the most surprising beauty innovation to emerge from space research is the now-ubiquitous LED light therapy. While today’s Instagram feeds might be filled with celebrities donning futuristic-looking LED masks, few realize they’re benefiting from technology originally developed by NASA.
In the 1990s, NASA scientists were investigating ways to grow plants in space using red light LEDs. Researchers noticed that the same red light wavelengths that stimulated plant growth also accelerated wound healing in astronauts and reduced inflammation. This accidental discovery led to the development of Light Emitting Diode (LED) therapy devices designed specifically for skin rejuvenation.
Dr. Harry Whelan, Professor of Neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin who conducted NASA-sponsored research on LED therapy, explains: “The near-infrared light emitted by these LEDs seems to be perfect for increasing energy inside cells. This means whether you’re on Earth in a hospital, working in a submarine under the sea or on your way to Mars inside a spaceship, the LEDs boost energy to the cells and accelerate healing.”
The science behind this seemingly magical treatment remained poorly understood for years. Even after Danish physician Niels Ryberg Finsen received a Nobel Prize in 1903 for discovering that concentrated red light accelerated the healing of sores, he remained reluctant to fully embrace the treatment without understanding the mechanism.
Biophysicist Tiina Karu later hypothesized that red light improves overall cell function by stimulating the mitochondria that drive metabolism in animal cells. This stimulation accelerates cell production and relieves oxidative stress—a key factor in inflammation, aging, and numerous diseases including diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions.
The Estée Lauder Space Station Experiment
In a groundbreaking move that merged cosmetic science with space exploration, Estée Lauder sent 10 bottles of its Advanced Night Repair serum to the International Space Station in 2020. The company paid NASA approximately $128,000 for this pioneering marketing and research opportunity.
While publicity was certainly one motivation, the experiment aimed to test how the serum’s formula performed in the extreme conditions of space. The photographs and findings from this experiment have influenced formulation strategies for products designed to combat extreme environmental stressors.
Dr. Julie Robinson, NASA Chief Scientist for the International Space Station, notes: “The extreme environment of space provides unique stress tests for materials, including those used in skincare. What we learn about molecular stability in microgravity can inform better formulations for use on Earth.”
Such insights are valuable for creating products that can withstand challenging conditions and maintain their efficacy, whether in space or in the harsh environments many people face on Earth—from arctic cold to extreme heat and pollution.
Anti-Aging from Orbit: Telomere Research
Perhaps the most promising frontier in space-based beauty research involves telomeres—the protective caps on our chromosomes that shorten as we age. Studies of astronauts have revealed that extended space missions can accelerate telomere shortening, essentially speeding up cellular aging.
This discovery has sparked research into compounds that might protect or even lengthen telomeres, potentially slowing the aging process at its most fundamental level. Several luxury skincare brands have already launched products containing ingredients claimed to protect telomere length, though scientists caution that this research is still in its early stages.
Dr. Susan Bailey, a Colorado State University professor who studied telomeres in astronaut Scott Kelly during his year in space, reports surprising findings: “The length of telomeres in many of Scott’s cells actually got longer during spaceflight, which was unexpected. We also saw that telomerase activity increased, which is important for telomere extension and cellular proliferation.”
These complex results suggest that the relationship between space and cellular aging is not straightforward, providing rich ground for continued research. While some aspects of aging appear accelerated in space, certain cellular mechanisms may actually be enhanced—offering potential clues for anti-aging interventions on Earth.
Inflammation: The Common Enemy
Underlying many of these space-inspired beauty innovations is a focus on combating inflammation—what many researchers now recognize as a primary driver of skin aging and deterioration.
Dr. Nicholas Perricone, dermatologist and founder of Perricone MD, has long emphasized: “Inflammation is at the basis of age-related diseases including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the aging process itself. It’s all about inflammation.”
The extreme conditions of space create unprecedented inflammatory responses in human tissue, allowing researchers to identify anti-inflammatory compounds that might otherwise take years to validate on Earth.
The skin challenges astronauts face are multifaceted. According to a BBC report, astronauts often experience significant skin dryness due to the controlled environment of spacecraft. Preliminary research suggests that regular moisturizer application can help improve hydration levels, but the issue goes beyond simple dryness. Wound healing is also compromised in space, with cuts and abrasions taking longer to close and repair.
This is where NASA’s pioneering work with LED light therapy has proven particularly valuable. Originally developed to stimulate plant growth in space, researchers discovered that specific wavelengths of light could accelerate wound healing and reduce inflammation in human tissue—a technology now found in high-end spas and home beauty devices worldwide.
From radiation-blocking antioxidants to mitochondria-stimulating light therapies, many space-derived beauty innovations work primarily by reducing inflammatory responses in skin tissue. This focus has shifted the entire beauty industry toward anti-inflammatory approaches, with “inflammaging” becoming a central concept in modern skincare science.
Beyond Radiation and Microgravity: The Temporal Dimension of Space Beauty
While much of space-based skincare research focuses on the structural damage caused by radiation and microgravity, another fascinating frontier has emerged: the impact of disrupted circadian rhythms on skin health. In low Earth orbit, astronauts experience approximately 16 sunrises and sunsets within a 24-hour period—a dramatic disruption to the body’s internal clock that has profound effects on skin cell metabolism and renewal.
Dr. Smith Johnston, NASA Flight Surgeon and Lead of NASA Medical Operations, explains: “On the ISS, astronauts experience 16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours. This plays havoc with the body’s circadian clock, affecting everything from sleep to skin regeneration. We’ve had to develop specific countermeasures to help regulate their biological rhythms.”
This research has led companies like Clariant to develop products such as B-Circadin™, which is specifically designed to mimic Earth’s natural day/night cycle for skin cells. Unlike conventional skincare that addresses structural damage, these innovations target the temporal aspects of skin health—essentially helping to “reset” the skin’s internal clock that becomes desynchronized in space.
The implications extend beyond astronauts to Earth-bound individuals experiencing “social jetlag” from irregular sleep schedules, shift work, and excessive screen time—all of which can disrupt the skin’s natural renewal cycles. By studying the extreme circadian disruptions experienced in space, researchers have gained insights into how to mitigate similar, though less severe, disruptions experienced on Earth.
This represents a conceptual shift in skincare: from merely protecting against or repairing damage to actively synchronizing cellular processes with natural temporal rhythms—a holistic approach that addresses not just what happens to skin cells but when optimal processes should occur
The Future: Microgravity Manufacturing and Space Tourism Challenges
The next frontier in space-based beauty innovation may involve actually manufacturing products in space. Several companies are exploring how microgravity affects the formation of emulsions, crystals, and other structures central to cosmetic formulations.
In the absence of gravity’s effects, materials can form more perfect structures, potentially creating skincare ingredients with enhanced stability and efficacy. While still experimental, these approaches could eventually yield products with properties impossible to achieve in Earth-bound manufacturing facilities.
As commercial spaceflight advances and space tourism becomes a reality, the dermatological implications extend beyond professional astronauts to civilians. A 2002 space passenger task force established that skin diseases that interfere with life support equipment and communicable skin conditions are contraindications for space travel. This raises important questions about preparation and screening for future space tourists.
Dr. Ravi Patel, Space Medicine Specialist at NASA Johnson Space Center, warns: “As we prepare for longer missions to the Moon and Mars, dermatological risks become increasingly important. The skin doesn’t just protect us aesthetically—it’s a critical barrier against microbes and radiation. Its compromise could potentially impact mission success.”
From Science Fiction to Your Bathroom Shelf
What once seemed like science fiction—skincare derived from space research—has become a thriving reality. The extreme conditions of space continue to serve as the ultimate stress test for human biology, revealing vulnerabilities and resilience mechanisms that might take decades to discover through conventional research.
As space exploration advances, with plans for extended missions to the Moon and Mars, we can expect even more beauty innovations to emerge from the cosmic laboratory. The beauty treatments of tomorrow may well be developed not in traditional research facilities, but in orbiting space stations and lunar habitats, where human skin faces its greatest challenges—and where scientists discover its greatest potential for regeneration and renewal.
In our quest to venture beyond our home planet, we’ve inadvertently revolutionised how we care for ourselves here on Earth -proving that sometimes, the path to beauty truly is written in the stars.
