Kiera Jefferson
With increasing pollution levels, it is important to take care of your skin, especially your face, which is more susceptible to pollution than the rest of your body. Pollution can cause skin issues such as breakouts, redness, blotchiness, acne, wrinkles, irritation, dryness, dark spots, and premature ageing. To protect your skin, it is important to have a skincare routine that includes cleansing, antioxidants, and barrier repair. This can be done by using gentle cleansers, moisturisers, and sunscreens, as well as products with ingredients like vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants. Additionally, drinking enough water and exercising regularly can help flush out toxins and boost skin health.
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What You'll Learn
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
Washing your face with a gentle cleanser is an essential step in any skincare routine, especially when trying to protect your skin from pollution. Cleansing can reduce the particle load of pollutants on the skin, especially particulate matter.
When choosing a cleanser, opt for a gentle, non-abrasive, and alcohol-free formula. Avoid harsh soaps or cleansers that strip the skin of its natural oils, as this can compromise your skin barrier, making it more vulnerable to pollution and other environmental aggressors. If you have sensitive skin, it is best to steer clear of cleansers with fragrances or dyes, as these can be irritating.
Look for cleansers that effectively wash away pollutants and other impurities without disrupting the skin's natural balance. Cleansers with antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, can be particularly beneficial in fighting the oxidative stress caused by pollution. These vitamins can help protect your skin and prevent free radicals from causing damage.
It is recommended to wash your face at least twice a day, especially in the morning and before bedtime. However, if you have dry or sensitive skin, you may not need to wash your face twice daily. Always follow up with a moisturiser to hydrate and protect your skin.
In addition to cleansing, incorporating other skincare steps such as exfoliation and the use of serums or creams can further enhance your skin's protection against pollution. Exfoliating helps increase cell turnover and ensures that any remaining free radicals are removed. Serums or creams containing antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, or vitamins can provide an extra layer of defence against pollution and help repair and restore your skin.
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Use a moisturiser with SPF
Using a moisturiser with SPF is a great way to protect your skin from pollution. Firstly, it is important to understand what SPF is and how it works. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and is a measure of how well a product protects the skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. The sun's UV rays, along with pollutants from sources such as vehicle exhaust, industrial processes, and smog, can cause skin issues such as irritation, dryness, dark spots, redness, and premature ageing.
When choosing a moisturiser with SPF, it is recommended to opt for one with an SPF rating of 30 or higher, as this will provide better protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Look for products with the words "broad-spectrum" on the packaging, indicating this type of coverage. Additionally, ensure you are applying enough moisturiser to your face. Dermatologists recommend using the equivalent of two finger lengths (middle and index fingers) worth of product to ensure proper protection. Pay close attention to areas around the eyes, as these spots are often missed and can be vulnerable to UV damage.
It is also worth noting that layering products with SPF, such as using an SPF moisturiser and then applying an SPF foundation, does not result in cumulative protection. For example, using an SPF 15 moisturiser and an SPF 15 foundation does not equate to SPF 30 protection. Instead, the concentration of active ingredients is different in an SPF 30 formulation. Therefore, it is crucial to choose a moisturiser with a higher SPF rating and ensure adequate application to maximise the protective benefits.
While moisturisers with SPF can be effective, they may not always provide the same level of protection as traditional sunscreens. They tend to have lower SPF ratings and are less likely to be water-resistant. Hence, if you plan to spend extended periods outdoors or engage in activities like hiking or beach days, consider using a dedicated sunscreen in addition to your moisturiser or opting for a higher SPF sunscreen specifically designed for those purposes.
Some recommended moisturisers with SPF include:
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer SPF 50
- Vichy Aqualia Thermal UV Defense Moisturizer with SPF 30
- La Roche-Posay Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV with SPF 30
- Cay Skin Isle Glow Face Moisturizer with SPF 45
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Apply antioxidants to your skin
Antioxidants are naturally-occurring compounds that can protect your skin from free radicals. They take the form of vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamins A, C, and E, and selenium, an essential trace mineral. Free radicals are highly reactive, unstable molecules that can wreak havoc on healthy skin cells. Your body naturally produces free radicals, but it is also exposed to them via external sources, such as pollution, UV light, and cigarette smoke.
A balance between free radicals and antioxidants is essential for your body to function properly. An excess of free radicals can overwhelm your body's ability to regulate them, triggering a condition known as oxidative stress. Severe oxidative stress can damage skin cells, cause inflammation, and contribute to the signs of premature skin aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Antioxidants can be found in a variety of lotions, creams, and serums. After cleansing your skin, apply a skincare product containing one or more antioxidants, such as:
- Vitamin C, which may be listed as ascorbyl palmitate, L-ascorbic acid, or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. Vitamin C is the most abundant antioxidant in human skin and can be found in red and yellow peppers, oranges, and other citrus fruits. Topical vitamin C may have anti-aging and anti-pigmentation properties and protect from the effects of the sun. Vitamin C also replenishes vitamin E levels.
- Vitamin E, which may be listed as d-alpha-tocopherol, d-alpha-tocopherol acetate, dl-alpha-tocopherol, or dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate. Vitamin E can be found in almonds, cashews, brazil nuts, olive oil, and spinach. Vitamin E has been shown to counteract the effects of oxidative stress and absorb the energy from UV light, protecting you from photodamage.
- Carotenoids, which are pigments in plants that protect the skin from UV light exposure and improve skin tone and brightness. Carotenoids can be found in avocados, grapes (especially purple, red, and blue varieties), and leafy greens like spinach and cabbage.
- Selenium, which improves skin elasticity and works alongside vitamin E as a powerful antioxidant. Selenium can be found in cashews, brazil nuts, and walnuts.
While there are many anti-pollution formulations available, experts suggest choosing a serum or cream that contains antioxidants to help prevent, repair, and restore the skin. Look for products containing ceramides or hyaluronic acid plus antioxidants.
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Avoid indoor pollutants
The air inside your home or workplace can be polluted, and indoor air pollution can be even more harmful than outdoor air pollution. This is because indoor air pollution is often steeped in harmful pollutants for long periods of time. These pollutants include fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and various other toxins.
To avoid indoor pollutants, you can take the following steps:
- Identify the source of indoor pollution: Signs of unhealthy air can help you identify if there are problems with your indoor air. Learn about the specific pollutants and sources of pollution that may be impacting your indoor air quality.
- Remove the source of pollution: Once you have identified the source of indoor pollution, work to remove it. For example, if you are using harsh cleaning chemicals, switch to natural alternatives like vinegar, baking soda, borax, citrus fruit, and essential oils. These natural ingredients are safe for indoor use and effectively clean surfaces.
- Ventilate your indoor space: Ventilation can be used to draw in fresh outdoor air to help dilute pollutants indoors and reduce humidity. Open windows and doors when the weather permits, or turn on local exhaust fans.
- Clean the indoor air: Consider using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifier to capture microscopic pollution particles and remove pollutants from the air.
- Keep your indoor space clean and dry: This is especially important in areas where mould and mildew tend to grow, such as in the kitchen and bathroom. Repair any leaks or water damage promptly to prevent mould and mildew from growing.
- Consider indoor plants: Indoor plants help to purify the air by absorbing contaminants and releasing oxygen. They also increase humidity and reduce dust levels.
- Avoid air fresheners and scented cleaning products: Air fresheners and scented cleaning products can pollute indoor air and react with ozone to form particles and formaldehyde.
- Minimize the use of certain products: Reduce or restrict the use of consumer products that produce ozone, such as laundry water treatment systems, ozone fruit and vegetable washers, and hair and facial treatments. Also, minimize the use of products that make surfaces stain-and water-repellent, as they may contain harmful chemicals.
By following these steps, you can effectively avoid indoor pollutants and improve the air quality in your home or workplace.
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Use a chemical exfoliator
Exfoliation is the process of sloughing away dead skin cells from the skin's surface. There are two types of exfoliation: physical and chemical. The latter has become increasingly popular in recent years and involves using acids to get rid of dead skin cells.
Chemical exfoliators use various acids to remove dead skin cells by breaking down the intercellular glue that holds them together. When choosing a chemical exfoliator, consider your skin type and concerns. The higher the concentration and lower the pH, the more intense the exfoliator.
If you have sensitive skin, a less intrusive PHA exfoliant may be the best option. PHAs have the largest molecular size of the three chemical exfoliants and are therefore the least irritating, making them ideal for sensitive skin. They include Gluconolactone and Lactobionic Acid.
If you have dry skin, opt for an AHA. As they only work on the skin's surface, they'll help it retain moisture. Lactic acid (an AHA) and salicylic acid (a BHA) can help stop ingrown hairs by getting rid of dead skin, softening skin texture, and physically lifting ingrown hairs above the surface.
It's important to remember that chemical exfoliants can leave the skin feeling dry, so it's crucial to moisturize well immediately afterward. Additionally, some acids, particularly AHAs, can cause sun sensitivity, so it's important to wear sunscreen daily to protect from sunburn.
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Frequently asked questions
Wash your face at least twice a day with a gentle, non-abrasive, and alcohol-free cleanser to remove dust and pollutants. You can also use a chemical exfoliator to increase cell turnover and sweep away damaging free radicals.
Prioritize products with antioxidants like vitamins C and E, which help prevent free radicals from damaging the skin. You can also use a mineral sunscreen to block pollutants and UV rays.
Pollution can cause skin issues such as breakouts, redness, wrinkles, dryness, dark spots, and premature aging.
Aside from skincare products, you can protect your skin by staying indoors during peak traffic times and checking your local pollution levels to avoid extended time outdoors when levels are high.
