Most of us know it’s important to protect our skin from the sun, but did you know pollution also damages skin?
We know pollution is bad for the environment and our health, so imagine what it can do to our skin.
You may be thinking pollution is only a problem in big cities. It's true that your exposure to pollution varies depending on your location.
Although city dwellers are exposed to more pollution, wind spreads pollutants, so it’s still a problem in less populated areas.
You can check the air quality in your area here:
How Pollution Damages Skin
The skin is part of the immune system’s first line of defense, serving as a physical barrier. However, pollution particles can be up to twenty times smaller than your pores, allowing them to penetrate the skin easily.
When these nano sized pollution particles get into the deeper layers of the skin, they can cause free radical damage. Scientists are just now beginning to understand how pollution affects the skin. Here’s a list of some of the damaging effects they’ve discovered:
- inflammation
- dryness and dullness
- clogged pores
- acne
- allergic reactions
- uneven skin tone
- dark spots and hyperpigmentation
- fine lines and wrinkles
- breakdown of collagen
- attacks lipids, impairing skin barrier function
3 Steps To Protect And Repair Skin
Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to protect and repair skin. Here are the three best ways to combat the damaging effects of pollution:
1. Cleanse
Proper cleansing every night helps clear away pollutants that build up on skin throughout the day. For skin that needs extra help, use a detoxifying mask once a week to draw toxins out of the skin.
We recommend our Vitamin C Cleanser and Dead Sea Mud Mask.
2. Antioxidants
The best ingredients for protecting against pollution are antioxidants. Vitamins C and E are particularly effective at repairing and preventing damage from free radical causing pollution.
We recommend our Vitamin C Serum.
3. Moisturize
Applying a daily moisturizer also helps protect skin from pollution. Moisturizers create a protective barrier on the skin, which keeps pollutants out.
We recommend our Advanced Age-Defying Moisturizer or our Vitamin C Cream.
