DOES AIR POLLUTION EFFECT YOUR SKIN HEALTH?
Have you ever come home after a long day and your skin feels irritated, inflamed, dry, dull and clogged pores?
When we're exposed to air pollution, it can break down our skin barrier & leave us vulnerable to disease-causing agents that can affect the skin. The chemicals comprising soot & smog contain unstable molecules called free radicals. These bond to structures in our cells to slowly break them down. This oxidization process also causes rust in metals. As our skin cells break down, wrinkles and other signs of aging can result. The parts of the body that are most likely to show the aging effects of pollution are those that are often the most exposed, such as the hands, neck, and face.
Fortunately, we can take simple steps to mimimise these effects:
Avoid going outside during rush hours to minimise exposure to dirty air when car pollution is at its strongest.
Double cleanse our faces as soon as we get in to rid our skin of pollutants as soon as possible by using a gentle cleanser that cleanse while hydrate our skin. Here is a good collection of hydrating cleansers.
Strengthen our skin barrier by using products that contain skin barrier friendly ingredients such as ceramides, fatty acids, hyaluronic acids and skin loving oils such a squalane which works to moisturize the skin and improve its radiance and elasticity.
Antioxidants serums such Vitamin C and Coenzyme Q10 serums are best at defending our skin against external stressors and damaging effects of free radicals.
Exfoliating our skin every so often to prevent buildup of dead skin cells allowing the younger skin to show through.
Protect your skin from the harmful sun rays by using a high factor SPF broad spectrum sunscreen and choose one that can also protect against air pollutions.
Choose a good moisturiser that’s rich in ceramides, hyaluronic acids, fatty acids and skin loving moisturising ingredients to restore and maintain your skin barrier.