FAQ

Why should I care how climate affects my skin?

You should care because the seasonal local climate not only seriously impacts how your skin looks and feels but, interestingly, how your skin actually works. The outer skin, the most outer layers of the epidermis located outside of the body, functions very differently from the inner skin which is inside your body. The outer skin naturally has no water for hydration, no nourishment from blood vessels, no collagen for firmness. It depends solely on its own Natural Moisturizing Factor and the surrounding air to find moisture balance and maintain healthy barrier functions. Clinical studies have proven that over 80% of signs of skin aging are due to external stressors from the climate you’re in.

What is the Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), also known as the skin’s climate IQ?

The skin has its own built-in moisturizing system called the “Natural Moisturizing Factor” or NMF for short. This NMF is responsible for attracting water to the outer skin and bonding it with the lipids (natural oils) to create moisture balance. This is how your skin stays smooth and flexible. The skin’s NMF is dynamic and adjusts per the climate conditions you’re in. If humidity is high, skin produces less NMF and if humidity is low, skin produces more NMF. In addition to attracting and keeping water in the skin, the NMF helps skin keep external aggressors such as micro particles of dirt, pollution, allergens, etc. from penetrating deeper into the skin. We like to refer to the skin’s NMF as its climate IQ.

What is a unique climate for your skin?

A unique climate is a range of humidity & temperature typical for specific weather such as hot & humid or cold & dry. Even if it might sound complicated to you, you’re already understanding the concept of climate when you don’t wear a winter coat on a hot, humid summer day. With Climate-Smart® skincare, we also account for the typical man-made environments in different climates such as air-conditioning or heating, high or low UV exposure, and weather elements such as rain, snow, sun, etc.

How many climates are there?

Based on clinical studies, we’ve identified six distinctive climates which challenge your skin uniquely: Polar (cold & dry)- think winter coat, Temperate (normal & mild) – think sweater weather, Desert (hot & dry) – think tank top, Tropical (hot & humid) think sundress, Marine (cool & humid) – think rain boats, and Mountain (high altitude & very dry).

Why should I match my daily Day Cream with the climate just as I match my clothing with the climate?

Science and biology tell us that skin naturally needs at least three days, but sometimes weeks or even months to adjust to a new range of temperature and humidity. By adjusting your skincare along with the climate, you’ll give your skin the best chance of finding moisture balance quickly and keeping up its natural repair and defense for a happy face, anyplace (and any season).

How does skin know what climate it is?

We all know that skin has special sensors which alert skin’s biochemical systems to react, such as when it’s hot to release sweat or when it’s cold to contract the blood vessels inside the skin to preserve body heat. However, what most people don’t know is that your eyes communicate to the brain as well what climate you’re in. Latest research found that the human body is much more proactive than we previously thought. The brain’s ability to predict outcome helps the body to prevent possible damage. In the case of skin, once you see “winter” even if you are in a climate-controlled room, your skin starts to get ready- just in case you ever go out there.

Should I be concerned about the climate harming my skin?

The short answer is yes. You should always be aware of the conditions that your skin is constantly facing. It’s scientifically validated that the climate affects skin, and the climate is more aggressive than ever. While you should be cautious about exposure to the sun’s harmful rays, the elements that you can’t visually see (i.e. pollution, lack of humidity, etc.) can be damaging as well.

What is external aging?

External aging is what happens to the outer skin, the visible part of your skin, also known as our complexion. Studies have confirmed that over 80% of signs of aging skin – fine lines & wrinkles, brown spots, uneven skin tones, dull skin, loss of firmness, etc. – are due to external aging. The first signs of external aging can appear as early as in someone’s twenties. You can read more about external aging on our blog.

How does the daily weather affect skin?

The weather weighs on your skin on a daily basis. Common elements include sunshine, temperature, humidity, rain, snow, and so on. You likely check the weather on a regular basis to determine what clothing is appropriate to wear. Sunny skies in SoCal? Sounds like sundresses and sandals. But every now and then California gets a little gloomy, and that calls for sweater weather. Your skin has to make this adjustment rather abruptly, which can throw off the moisture balance and lipid barrier function of the skin.

How does humidity affect skin?

Environmental humidity (or the lack of it) plays a large role in skin moisture. When humidity is high, skin uses its NMF to pull water from the air into the skin, to help keep it hydrated. In addition, humidity causes the pores of the skin to open which puts pores at risk of gathering dirt, oil, pollution particles and allergens. When humidity is low, the NMF pulls some water from inside the body by producing more NMF, but the natural state for the outer skin in low humidity is to be dehydrated. Dehydrated/dry skin causes the skin barrier to crack, resulting in accelerated TransEpidermal WaterLoss (TEWL)

How does temperature affect skin?

Environment temperature, the rising or falling of it, effects skin drastically. Heat, or better said the release of heat from inside of the body through the skin, is mainly responsible for the brown spots you absolutely don’t like to see on your skin. Warmer temperatures also promote natural oil production in the skin. The experience of cold causes severe biochemical changes in the skin as it tries to keep the body’s inside temperature at 98.6° degrees. Natural oil production in the skin drops during the experience of colder temperatures.

How does pollution affect skin?

Air pollution is more aggressive than ever considering the industrial boom and widespread use of transportation. Humans are burning more and more fossil fuels for our industrial lifestyles, releasing particulate matter into the atmosphere. These pollutants create free radicals—unstable molecules that damage healthy skin cells and cause visible signs of premature aging. You can read more about how air pollution creates free radicals and wreaks havoc on skin on our blog.

How do man-made climates (i.e. air-conditioning and central heating) affect skin?

Man-made climates are luxuries, so we don’t consider them damaging to our skin since we enjoy the environment so much. Spending all day in an air-conditioned room and switching to central heating during the night alarms the skin and throws off the moisture balance in the skin’s lipid barrier. Man-made conditions cause dehydration in the skin’s layers, which can appear as overly oily or dry skin.

Why should I change my Day Cream when the seasons change?

A new season brings a drastic shift in temperature and humidity. As you see the weather change everything around changes as well including plants, landscapes, and even animals’ furs. The same is true for your skin. To best care for your skin, change your Day Cream when the seasons change. Each of the Pour Moi Day Creams is specifically formulated to work best in a distinctive climate. Yet, together, they work as an innovative system and in synergy with each other to accelerate results expected from prestige French skincare. You shouldn’t experience any irritations when switching between the formulas and you keep the anti-agers short & long-term benefits regardless of what Day Cream you use.

What happens to my skin when I travel?

Travel is not just stressful for you, but also for you skin. When traveling by plane, within just a few hours, you’re not only in a different time zone but most likely in a different climate. This can shock your skin to a point where it turns randomly dry or oily, trying desperately to adjust and adapt. This is when you get the break-outs, dry patches, and dull skin you really don’t need when on a trip, either for business or for pleasure.

Is SPF in the Climate-Smart® Day Creams?

No. There is no SPF in the formulas because our Day Creams are high-performing, climate-customized, anti-aging skincare. They are not sunscreen. Modern skincare distinguishes between a sunscreen with SPF and an anti-aging moisturizer as two different products. They are applied at different times and serve different purposes. Make sure to apply and reapply sunscreen every time you are directly exposed to the sun.

How does the climate affect my pre-existing skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, etc.)?

Extreme climates such as Tropical (hot & humid), Desert (hot & dry), Polar (cold & dry) and Mountain (high-altitude & very dry) generally make any pre-existing skin conditions worse. Make sure to get relief by treating your skin per the climate you’re in.

Is Pour Moi tested for sensitive skin?

Yes. All our formulas are formulated and rigorously tested to give even the most sensitive skin a chance to enjoy Pour Moi Climate-Smart® skincare. Dermatologist recommended.

Is Pour Moi clean skincare?

Yes, it contains only clean & 100% vegan ingredients. Made at the prestige laboratories of Strand Cosmetics in France, all of Pour Moi’s ingredients are sourced with highest quality control standards and tested to be free of any health concerning substances such as heavy metals, GMO and others. All of our clean, high-performing ingredients and state-of-the-art formulas apply to the strict E.U. regulations and are voluntarily registered with the FDA.

Is Pour Moi cruelty-free and vegan?

Yes, we are. We are cruelty-free and 100% vegan. The E.U. banned animal testing back in 2013 and Pour Moi is Leaping Bunny certified and PETA certified.

Is Pour Moi conscious of its environmental footprint on our planet?

Yes, we are! As the world’s first Climate-Smart® skincare, we proudly assume a leadership role in our industry to recycle, reuse and reduce when it comes to our packaging, shipping, and overall way of business. As an example, we ended our sample programs to reduce single-use-plastic and we switched our recyclable paper boxes to biodegradable box which completely compose for a “zero waste” strategy. As available and safe, we option for sustainable ingredients for our formulas. The water in the all Pour Moi products is pure, clean water from the French Rhone Alps.

Where is Pour Moi made?

Pour Moi is made in the award-winning, world renowned laboratories of Strand Cosmetics in the Rhone Alps, France.