How To Protect Your Skin From Pollution

Did you know that air pollution could have lasting effects on your skin?

As your largest organ, your skin is the first line of defense against environmental polluants. Up to a certain post, your skin can fight air polluants and be still. However, a repetitive and long-lasting exposure of your skin to these chemicals can create negative side effects.

Among these harmful side effects, you can find dehydration, skin barrier damage, and disruption of the skin microbiome. Other harmful effects include  premature aging, or skin cancer. Moreover, many existing skin conditions can worsen because of air polluants such as acne, contact dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.

Consequently, upgrading your skincare habits is very important to fight against the effects of air polluants on your beauty. In this article, I’ll explain you how to protect your skin from pollution effectively.

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Identifying Pollution Threats to Your Skin

According to an article published by the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, there are many types of pollutants having bad effects on the skin.

Ultraviolet radiation

As a physical polluant, the UVA and UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer and the oxygen in the atmosphere. One of the main consequences of the UV radiation is photoaging.

Indeed, this condition is characterized by:

• coarse wrinkles,
• solar elastosis,
• and an irregular pigmentation

You can find more about the effects of UV rays on the skin in this article.

Cigarette smoke

This air polluant contains thousands of harmful chemicals, such as reactive oxygen species, carbon monoxide, reactive nitrogen species and electrophilic aldehydes.

These reactive oxidants and free radicals cause oxidative stress or secondary oxidative events and inhibition of antioxidant mechanisms. Also, they increase transepidermal water loss, degeneration of connective tissue in the skin, and degradation of collagen and elastic fibers.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

They are among the most dangerous and widespread organic polluants for your skin. In particular, you can find them in urban areas.

The main sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are residual wood burning, automobile exhaust, diesel fumes, metallurgical industry, production of plastics, pesticides, dyes, cigarette smoke and smoke resulting from the combustion of organic material.

In addition, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are responsible for skin aging, irregular pigmentation, cancer, and acne.

Ground-level ozone

You can find this air polluant in urban environments, with Mexico City having the highest level of ground-level ozone in the world. Moreover, ozone is a major component of photochemical smog when combined with sunlight, hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides.

Ozone induces oxidative stress, damages the barrier function of the epidermis, and causes skin inflammation.

Particulate matter

Particulate matter consists of complex and varying mixtures of different size and composition. Its main sources are factories, power plants, refuse incinerators, automobile, construction activities, fires and natural windblown dust.

It causes skin inflammation, pigments spots, and nasolabial wrinkles because of the oxidative stress.

Volatile organic compounds

These polluants come from the use of :

• organic solvents in paints,
• varnishes,
• vehicle refinishing products in repairing car paint,
• environmental tobacco smoke,
• stored fuels,
• exhaust from cars,
• and from emissions from industrial facilities.

Also, they cause precancerous skin lesions, atopic dermatitis, and eczema.

Nitrogen oxides

They come mainly from mobile and stationary combustion sources. As an air polluant, they cause free radicals inducing eczema. A study carried out in Germany found out that nitrogen oxides levels were higher in East Germany because of sulfurous-type pollution and high traffic.

Heavy metals

Cadmium, lead, and mercury are heavy metals that cause skin inflammation. Their main sources are volcanoes, waste incineration, cement, iron and steel production and leaded gasoline.

Daily Skin Care Strategies to Combat Pollution

Yes, air polluants can attack your skin. However, this doesn’t mean that solutions don’t exist! You must have a skincare strategy that will help you to protect your skin against free radicals. Here are some habits that you must adopt right now.

Cleansing

Cleanse your skin thoroughly twice a day. During the evening, you can even adopt the double cleaning technique to get rid of polluants on your face. Choose cleansers that cleanse and purify your skin without stripping it from its natural oils. You can use products like Olay Clarifying Facial Cleanser enriched with peptides and niacinamide.

Moisturize with the right products

Look for moisturizers containing antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and niacinamide (vitamin B3). These antioxidants will protect your skin from pollution and decrease the effects of free radicals. I recommend a moisturizer from my favorite brand that contains all these vitamins. And this is Palmer’s Skin Success Fade Cream.

Sunscreen is your best friend

Never forget sunscreen as it will provide a protective barriers against free radicals. You can learn more about the use of sunscreen in your skincare routine here and here.

Exfoliate regularly

Exfoliate your skin regularly to prepare your skin and make it more receptive to the active ingredients of your products. I recommend you exfoliate your skin once or twice a week, according to your skin type.

Detox your skin

Also, detox your skin at least once a week with facial steaming. I can guarantee that this will change your life! Indeed, this practice takes all the dirt and polluants away from your skin! You can just boil water, add a cloth over head and steam your face.

Moreover, you can add some herbs in your boiling water such as chamomile, lavender, thyme, or rose. These are my favorite herbs so far. However, you can choose whatever you want!

Nutrition and Lifestyle Adjustments for Skin Resilience

Besides your skincare routine, you can protect your skin from pollution with your dietary habits. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats can help your body to build resistance against the harmful, effects of pollution. You may adopt the Mediterranean diet as it contains lots of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods.

Besides your diet, you can also implement other healthy habits to fight against pollution on your skin:

• Exercise regularly to increase your lung capacity and improve your respiratory function
• Drink water to flush toxins out of your body and keep your skin plump and hydrated from inside
• Wash your hands regularly and avoid crowded places
• Use air humidifiers to improve air quality in your home and keep your skin hydrated
• Quit smoking as it causes premature aging; and I would add to avoid smoking areas altogether!

Professional Treatments and Long-Term Solutions

If you want extra care against pollution, I recommend you go a beautician to get a special detox facial. I always recommend you visit a beautician in your skincare routine. Indeed, your daily products are not enough to help your skin.

Moreover, another habit that you can implement is to use high-end professional brands, like SkinCeuticals or Paula’s Choice. Indeed, they have innovative products containing potent active ingredients that fight against pollution.

As a matter of fact, among the ingredients, you have niacinamide, peptides, and resveratrol. All these potent components will be more and more used in the cosmetics industry, especially in serums and moisturizers. Therefore, take heed to watch all these ingredients in your skincare products in the future!

Conclusion: how to protect your skin from pollution through individual action

To conclude, you can protect your skin from pollution through:

• a carefully crafted skincare strategy,
• good nutritional habits,
• and inclusion of professional care in your routine.

Once you take the first step individually, you’ll be able to protect your skin effectively.

Also, don’t forget to take proactive measure and to continue to educate yourself on skincare to preserve your skin, as it’s super important. Moreover, taking care of the environment is also good for your skin.

Consequently, don’t forget to implement strategies to preserve the planet on a daily basis and fight against pollution. It depends on your circumstances, but not using your car everyday, or take public transportation may help.

Also, I have one more request: quit smoking!!!!

Well, that’s it for today! How do you protect your skin from pollution on a daily basis? Have you implemented some of these strategies in your daily routine? Fell free to share in the comments below!

Take care, lovelies!

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