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In 2024, pollution has been a widely acknowledged lifestyle issue and can severely damage your skin as you navigate the hustle and bustle of city life—this is where anti-pollution skincare comes in. Just as protecting your skin from the sun is essential for skin health, so is protecting your skin from pollution.
When you’re out and about, your skin is a primary target for airborne pollutants. Stepping out means being embraced by a thick blanket of smog, dust, and pollutants that aren’t just damaging to your overall health but immensely impact your skin health.
How Pollution Impacts Skin
Airborne pollutants contaminate our environments and modify the natural atmosphere and elements they come into contact with, like our skin. Air pollutants like carbon monoxide, smog, and tobacco smoke contribute to forming free radicals, repeated exposure to which causes signs of premature ageing.
Pollutants pass through the skin to enter the body, much like they can enter through inhalation. They can lower naturally occurring levels of antioxidants and create oxidative stress, which weakens the skin’s barrier and triggers inflammation. This makes skin cells less efficient at repairing and reproducing new cells, including collagen and elastin tissue and other skin
1. Pigmentation
Air pollution can enter the skin through nanoparticles and trigger a chemical process that leads to skin pigmentation. Studies have found strong correlations between increased exposure to pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and the formation of pigmentation and dark spots, with a 24-25% increase in those exposed to pollutants frequently.
2. Inflammation
Pollutants can cause inflammation by damaging the skin's barrier and inducing oxidative stress. When the skin barrier is damaged and inflamed, the skin tends to be highly reactive and prone to conditions like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, dryness, and irritation. Exposure to airborne pollutants impairs our immunity, making the skin more sensitive to external elements like excess oil, abrasions and bacteria.
3. Accelerated Skin Ageing
Free radicals generated by pollution damage collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for skin elasticity and firmness. This leads to premature ageing, which shows up as fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of skin elasticity. Loss of collagen is also linked to dull, thin and lacklustre skin
Protecting Your Skin from Pollution
To shield your skin from the harmful effects of pollution, consider incorporating antioxidants into your routine. Vitamin C is the gold-standard antioxidant and a darling of the skincare industry for a reason - it neutralises free radicals, brightens dull skin, boosts sun protection, and promotes healing. Incorporating Vitamin C products into your routine can boost skin resilience towards pollution and aid recovery.
Combat the effects of pollution and stress with our Clarifying Vitamin C range, and take certain measures to protect:
Cleanse Thoroughly: Use a gentle, mild-foaming cleanser like our Clarifying Cleanser to remove dirt, pollutants, and makeup. This cleanser is clinically proven to reduce inflammation by 56% and brighten dull skin.
Treat the Symptoms: Incorporate a powerful Vitamin C serum to combat free radicals and restore skin radiance. Our Clarifying Vitamin C Serum is formulated with naturally derived acerola cherry with a 50x brightening boost.
Keep your Skin Moisturised: Using a moisturiser daily prevents pollutants from penetrating the skin by forming a barrier. A hydrated and healthy skin barrier is less prone to pollution damage - products like our Clarifying Night Cream promote skin repair while you sleep and deliver an overnight glow boost.
Sun Protection: Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days. A powerful sunscreen like our 24H Hydration Sunscreen offers SPF 50+ and PA++++ protection to shield your skin from sun damage and pollution.
Limit Exposure: Reduce exposure to pollution by staying indoors during peak pollution hours, using air purifiers, and wearing masks when outdoors.
By understanding the impact of pollution on your skin and implementing these protective measures, you can safeguard your skin's health and maintain a youthful glow. Incorporate these products into your routine to combat the effects of pollution and stress and make your skin more resilient, bright, and healthy.
