Pollution is an issue that nobody is spared from. It affects our daily lives. The face is exposed almost all the time. Among other things, pores get clogged, it’s toxic and can lead to a lot of skin problems.
Anti-pollution skin care has become a growing trend in the beauty industry with current released products that claim to protect skin against pollutants in the air. The anti-pollution skincare trend is huge, particularly in large urban centers like London and Shanghai. Pollution is said to be second only to the sun in terms of its ageing impact, hence the increased interest in products that can counteract it.
Air pollution’s effects on our health have been studied for a long time. In terms of skin care, there is
research that suggests pollution can lead to things like inflammation and premature aging, so the increasing popularity of anti-pollution beauty and skin care products isn’t a coincidence.
Every day, microscopic specks of soot, smoke and acid are released into our atmosphere. When the particles sizes are smaller than our pores, they infiltrate the deeper layers of our skin.
UV rays, blue light from our phones, iron particles from train tracks, ozone and cigarette smoke also all pose a threat to our skin's protective antioxidant and collagen levels as soon as we step out of the door. They can even directly damage DNA, which stops the cell's ability to repair itself.
The best way to counteract the attack? By beefing up your skincare arsenal.
How Pollution Affects Our Skin?
Air pollution contains a combination of tiny particles called particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and chemicals like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
They can cause more oxidative damage, increase skin inflammation and change the skin microflora or activation of acyl hydrocarbon receptor pathways causing dullness, hyper-pigmentation, inflammation, dehydration, fine lines and increased wrinkles. Prolonged exposure to pollutants in the air can also contribute to a breakdown of collagen.
How Anti-Pollution Skincare Helps Our Skin?
The use of anti-pollution skin care is to counteract the particulates in the air that lead to damaged skin. It is to remove those tiny micro-particles from the pores so it’s not really clogging them and also to protect the skin from the pollution that can penetrate the deeper layers, because that pollution can actually break down collagen.
The goal is to make a sort of barrier between your skin and pollutants in the air.
Antioxidants, particularly vitamin C, play a big part in protecting our skin from the effects of pollution in the air. Vitamin C and other antioxidants help block the formation of free radicals (unstable atoms that can damage cells and potentially lead to premature aging) and “pigment pathways. Melanin blockers, such as niacinamide, are also helpful.
It is important to have an intact skin barrier by using moisturizers with ceramides and not over-treating the skin with retinol or acids.
Along with topical products, include vitamin C and other antioxidants into our diets, as they’re going to protect our skin and bodies from inflammation. Exfoliating agents, like salicylic and lactic acid can also help to take off the grime from the skin and unclogging the pores.
Product Recommendations By Dermatologists :
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum
Drunk Elephant The Littles 3.0 Kit
Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Brightening Serum
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ( Best )
The Ordinary Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate ( for first-timers )
Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Power Serum ( stable formula )
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum ( for daily use )
Popular Anti-Pollution Products :
Allies of Skin Multi-Nutrient Day Cream : The lightweight formula is packed with 12 different antioxidant extracts that work to shield your skin on every level, as well as two different types of hyaluronic acid that hydrate both the skin surface and the deeper layers.
Lixir Skin Vitamin C Paste : A mask that delivers a vitamin C top-up to your skin each morning. Apply and leave it for 5 minutes, brush your teeth then wash away for clear, balanced skin that’s ready to face the smoggiest of cities.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops : Keep pollution at bay with a drop of this bronzing gel into your moisturiser or BB Cream.
Source :
Huffpost,
Elle
