Where Research Is Needed: Public Health & Prevention

Each research proposal on this page explores a gap that must be better understood before safe, effective, and nationally aligned skin care systems can be put in place.

Despite growing awareness that skin is both affected by and reflective of our wider health, the UK has not yet embedded skin into national public health frameworks. Before that can happen, we need clear answers to foundational questions—some scientific, some social, and some economic.

Here are the research areas still waiting for proper exploration, validation, or policy recognition:

🔬 Core Research Questions for Pillar 1: Public Health & Prevention

1. Do environmental and lifestyle factors meaningfully affect skin health across the population?
   – Which factors have the most significant impact (e.g. air quality, stress, diet, UV exposure, sleep)?
   – What is the cumulative effect over time?
   – Are some skin types or demographics more affected than others?

2. Can early skin education and prevention reduce the prevalence or severity of common skin conditions?
   – Would structured advice in schools or workplaces lower rates of acne, eczema, or sun damage?
   – Could public-facing campaigns improve barrier repair outcomes and prevent escalation to clinical conditions?

3. What is the cost to the NHS of skin conditions that could have been prevented or better managed with early public guidance?
   – How many GP visits or dermatology referrals relate to preventable barrier damage, sunburn, or misused products?
   – What is the annual cost in prescriptions, appointments, or sick leave related to skin issues?

4. Could integrating skin messaging into wider health campaigns improve engagement and outcomes?
   – Would people be more likely to adopt public health advice (e.g. about stress, nutrition, or sun safety) if they saw visible skin improvements?
   – Can skin be used as a visual entry point into broader preventative health behaviours?

5. Does improving skin health lead to wider improvements in physical and mental wellbeing?
   – Are there measurable links between skin improvements and mental health indicators such as anxiety, depression, or self-esteem?
   – Could visible progress on skin act as motivation for other health behaviours?

6. Are there key life stages when public skin guidance could have the most impact?
   – What outcomes might be improved by introducing basic skin messaging:

   • In schools?

   • At puberty?

   • During pregnancy or menopause?

   • In elder care?

7. Is the current lack of public skin messaging contributing to health inequalities?
   – Are certain populations disproportionately affected due to lack of access to knowledge or culturally relevant guidance?
   – How does the absence of national skin messaging intersect with socioeconomic and racial disparities?

8. What messages would be most effective at shifting public understanding and behaviour around skin?
   – Should skin be framed as a benefit, a warning sign, or a daily responsibility?
   – What tone, imagery, or source of authority would most increase public trust and uptake?

9. Could Existing Health Touchpoints Be Used to Build Skin Awareness?

   Can skin health education be integrated into the existing pathway of national health touchpoints from pregnancy to adolescence?
   – Could early pregnancy appointments include a simple check for family history of common skin conditions—acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea—so health professionals can offer proactive guidance?

   
   – Are there key developmental moments where age-appropriate skin advice could be delivered?

   • Antenatal classes → foundational skin barrier guidance for newborn care

   • Newborn visits → safe cleansing, avoiding overuse of fragrance or wipes

   • Weaning phase → early signs of sensitivity or eczema

   • Pre-school checks → sun safety and hand-washing without overstripping

   • School immunisations → teenage skin, oil production, and social pressure
     – Could these moments support both child and parent, reinforcing lifelong habits?

10. Would repeating simple skin care messages at developmental milestones improve understanding and reduce misinformation?
    – Is skin a natural “entry point” to wider health concepts for children and families?
    – Could this reduce reliance on social media and marketing-driven skin advice during adolescence?