Faster skin firmness loss in Delhi; linked to pollution, hard water: AI-led study

Delhi residents have the highest levels of skin firmness loss in the country, with pollution, hard water and prolonged exposure to UV radiation emerging as major factors behind faster skin ageing, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by Ningen Skin Sciences in collaboration with Auriga Research and claiming to be one of India’s largest AI-led skin studies, analysed 21,373 adults across 725 cities to understand skin health patterns across the country.

Researchers used AI-powered facial scans through the SkinSensAI platform to evaluate 12 skin health parameters, including wrinkles, dark circles, firmness, elasticity, dehydration and pigmentation.

According to the findings, Delhi recorded the highest skin firmness severity score in India at 4.11 out of 5, compared to Kolkata’s 3.49 and the national average of 3.62.

Researchers said this means Delhi residents showed around 18 per cent greater firmness loss severity than those in Kolkata. The result is based on a comparison of average firmness scores and suggests that environmental factors may be contributing to faster skin ageing in the capital.

Delhi also recorded an elasticity loss score of 3.99 out of 5 and a dark circle severity score of 3.80 out of 5. The report attributed the trend to Delhi’s environmental conditions, including high pollution levels, hard water and UV exposure.

According to the study, the city’s air quality index frequently ranges between 200 and 400, while water in many areas records total dissolved solids (TDS) levels between 300 and 500, factors that may contribute to collagen damage and reduced skin elasticity.

Researchers said the findings highlight the need for region-specific skincare approaches and identified anti-pollution skincare solutions as a key requirement for Delhi.

The findings are part of what researchers described as one of India’s largest AI-led skin studies, conducted between 2023 and 2025 using AI-powered facial analysis. The research has also been published in the peer-reviewed journal Cureus.

At the national level, the study found that 79 per cent of Indians live with at least one moderate skin concern, while nearly 70 per cent suffer from dehydration. Researchers identified the overlap between oily and dehydrated skin as one of the most underserved gaps in the country’s skincare market.

Dark circles emerged as one of the most widespread concerns, affecting 66.6 per cent of participants, with genetics, pigmentation and lifestyle factors playing a bigger role than lack of sleep.

The study also found that wrinkles begin developing as early as the 20s rather than the 40s, questioning a common perception about ageing.

Men were found to age 22 per cent faster than women and recorded 23.5 per cent more UV spots, the largest gender gap observed in the study, which researchers linked to lower sunscreen use and greater cumulative sun exposure. They recorded worse scores across firmness, elasticity, wrinkles and UV-related pigmentation.

The findings further suggested that genetics account for around 45 per cent of skin health outcomes, while the remaining 55 per cent is influenced by modifiable factors such as lifestyle habits and skincare routines, it added.

Researchers also reported that AI-guided skincare routines showed visible improvements within eight to 12 weeks, highlighting the potential of personalised interventions in improving long-term skin health.

Regional differences were evident across the country. While Delhi recorded the highest firmness loss, Kolkata showed the highest oiliness levels, and Pune reported some of the highest dark-circle severity scores.

The study covered adults aged 18 years and above and was designed to establish population-specific benchmarks for Indian skin.