The importance of anti-pollution skincare.

Your guide to anti-pollution skincare

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to protecting your skin from pollution, but let’s begin with the basics . Learn more about why it’s so important and how you can counteract it.

Pollution and other environmental aggressors can lead to the generation of highly unstable molecules known as free radicals , which in turn, result in a process called oxidation within our skin. This process has a negative impact on our skin structure and can also lead to the signs of skin ageing showing up prematurely.

Because the skin on our face is both thinner in parts and more exposed than anywhere else on our body, it is here that these effects are most noticeable. The lines and wrinkles around your eyes? Occasional redness or blemishes? Yup. All of this can be caused by pollution, plus other environmental hazards like excessive sun exposure. Dehydrated, rough and dull skin is often the result, as a combination of sun, smoke, dirt and grime can quickly weaken your skin’s complexion barrier – obviously something we want to avoid!

We’re all different, of course, and that means our skin can react in different ways depending on our skin type. Our facial skin in particular has ways of defending itself from these environmental nasties. It constantly generates natural oils which help to keep your skin hydrated and prevent these external aggressors from entering. However, as those with oily skin will know, if these oils stay too long, they can build up, trapping dirt and other debris. This leads to blocked pores, which result in blackheads, whiteheads and oily shine.

Alternatively, your skin may not produce enough of these oils. When dry skin is exposed to pollutants, it can result in sensitivity, blemishes, and flakiness, which makes hydration all the more important.

The obvious answer is to invest in pollution protection skin care. An anti-pollution face wash can be your skin’s best friend. Creating a routine that helps to protect your face from the dust, grime and dirt that can build up over the course of the day, and naturally, rids your skin of this debris each night, is the best place to start. To do that, you’ll need the right products for the job.

So, what should you look for? Let’s begin with the ingredients. You’ll want to be on the lookout for antioxidants like Vitamin E, and others that help combat the noticeable effects of pollution. Formulas with bioadaptive botanical extracts and glycerine, for instance, can help keep your skin hydrated and protect its natural moisture barrier. Coupling these with SPF protection to help avoid the effects of UVA and UVB rays is also recommended, as are those products which help control oily shine or improve radiance.

It’s also important to find products that are most suitable for your skin, depending on whether it’s drier or prone to oiliness and breakouts.