Everyday Pollution and Your Skin
Are you regularly exposed to electronic screens, heating, cleaning products or simply ‘fresh’ air?
These are the three main types of pollution that damage your skin causing it to age prematurely, become sensitive and appear dull. In this article, we explain why and provide some simple steps to help prevent this damage.
Three types of pollution
Every day our skin is exposed to many sources of pollution. These pollutants can be broken down into three main categories which have a slightly different effect on the skin.
1. UV and Visible Light
Reaches deep into the skin.
It’s commonly known that UVA and UVB rays cause skin damage by generating free radicals. Research on how visible light from the sun and screens affects skin is still developing.
Solution: antioxidant and oxygenating care to help skin look fresh and revived.
2. Air Pollution
Attacks the skin’s deeper layers.
Toxic particles from pollutants such as smoke, acid, and gas in the air are far smaller than our pores, meaning they can easily settle into our skin. This can upset the skin’s natural hydration and add to visible signs of ageing.
These toxins also cause the skin to appear dull. Gina Baker Germaine de Capuccini Skincare Expert explains; “it’s like a dirty window: when dirt gets stuck on it, natural light can no longer come through and it therefore looks grey. When our skin gets ‘dirty,’ it also appears dull or grey in tone and the light can no longer reflect out of it.
Solution: thorough cleansing to leave the skin feeling fresh.
3. Domestic Pollution
Attacks the surface of the skin.
Heating, air conditioning, cleaning products, and other household substances sit on the skin’s surface causing irritation and drawing out moisture which causes dehydration. They also damage the stratum corneum (skin protective barrier) which in turn allows the other pollution types to penetrate the skin more easily and makes the skin more sensitive. It’s a vicious circle.
Solution: support the skin’s barrier function.
How to protect & care for skin exposed to pollution
Protect the skin
The best form of attack is a good defence! Use a high-factor SPF cream. Look for a light SPF cream designed for daily use on top of your moisturiser.
Try Tinted CC Skin Perfection Cream SPF30
Clean the skin
Cleansing morning and evening will help to get rid of the dirt or pollution on the skin’s surface. We’d also highly recommend weekly exfoliation with a gentle foam soft scrub to effectively remove more stubborn pollutants that are lodged on the skin.
Oxygenate & refresh the skin
Oxygenating skincare can help tired, dull skin look fresher and healthier. Oxygen can be contained within skincare products, but it must be stabilised to do so. Look for an “encapsulated” ingredient, which keeps it stable in the formula.
Support the skin barrier
Supporting the skin’s barrier (stratum corneum) helps skin feel more comfortable and less sensitive over time. Products containing Niacinamide are a good place to start, as niacinamide plays a role in the skin’s natural ceramide production, which helps keep the barrier healthy. Avoid products that contain astringents like alcohol, sulfates, and witch hazel. These harsh ingredients strip the skin of its natural moisturiser which weakens it.
