Protect Your Skin: Combat Air Pollution Damage

Air pollution is harmful to the skin, causing issues such as pigmentation, premature ageing, acne, eczema, and a dull, sallow complexion. To protect your skin from air pollution, you can use skincare products with anti-pollution benefits, such as antioxidants, emollients, and broad-spectrum sunscreens. It is also important to check daily air pollution forecasts and limit your exposure to high pollution levels, especially when exercising.

How to protect your skin from air pollution

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent photo-reactive compounds from reacting with UV rays

Air pollution can create free radical damage to the skin, which increases inflammation. This can cause sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. To protect your skin from these harmful effects, it is important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent photo-reactive compounds from reacting with UV rays.

Broad-spectrum sunscreens are designed to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. When choosing a sunscreen, opt for one with an SPF of at least 15, as this is the recommended blocking strength. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection from UVB rays. However, it is important to note that even with a high SPF, sunscreen should be reapplied at least every two hours, and more frequently if you are sweating or swimming.

In addition to broad-spectrum protection and sufficient SPF, look for sunscreens that contain physical blockers like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These ingredients create a physical barrier on the skin that blocks UV rays, providing superior protection compared to chemical sunscreens.

To further enhance the protection of your skin, consider applying a moisturizer specifically formulated to defend against environmental aggressors before applying sunscreen. This adds an extra layer of protection and helps seal in moisture. After applying sunscreen, you can also use Vaseline Jelly to lock in moisture and act as a protective barrier against external insults.

By following these steps and choosing the right products, you can effectively protect your skin from the harmful effects of air pollution and UV rays.

Use a moisturiser formulated to defend skin against daily environmental aggressors

Using a moisturiser that is specifically formulated to protect your skin against daily environmental aggressors is an important step in your skincare routine. These environmental aggressors include air pollution, which can create free radicals that cause oxidative damage in the skin and increase inflammation.

Moisturisers that contain antioxidants are particularly effective at protecting your skin from these external aggressors. Antioxidants bind to free radicals before they can cause damage to your skin cells. Vitamin C is a gold standard in anti-pollution skincare, and serums, oils, and moisturisers containing this ingredient are recommended. Hyaluronic acid is another important ingredient to look out for, as it helps to maintain moisture in the skin, thereby preserving the skin barrier.

In addition to moisturisers, you can also use Vaseline Jelly to protect your skin from pollution. The occlusive properties of Vaseline mean that moisture is locked into the skin, and it also acts as a protective barrier.

Other products that can help to protect your skin from pollution include Dr Levy's Pollution Shield, which offers a comprehensive defence against urban dust and microscopic particles, indoor volatile chemicals, atmospheric gases, infrared rays, and blue light. Maybelline's Urban Cover is another lightweight option that provides dewy coverage and includes built-in SPF 50 and pollutant-fighting ingredients.

It is important to note that you don't have to choose a product specifically labelled as "anti-pollution" to receive pollution-protecting benefits. However, taking the time to care for your skin, especially if you live in a city with high pollution levels, can help to maintain its health and appearance.

Use emollients to strengthen the structure and function of the skin's protective barrier

Exposure to air pollution can cause oxidative damage to the skin, creating free radicals that increase inflammation and cause dark spots. To protect your skin from the effects of air pollution, it is important to strengthen the skin's protective barrier. This can be done by using emollients, which are ingredients in skincare products that soothe dryness or irritation. Emollients are also called barrier creams because they form a film on the skin's outer layer, helping to lock in moisture and protect the skin from external aggressors.

There are two main types of emollients: occlusives and humectants. Occlusives, such as petroleum jelly, mineral oil, lanolin, and liquid paraffin, form a thick and greasy coating on the skin that helps to prevent moisture loss. Humectants, on the other hand, attract and bind water to the skin, increasing its moisture levels. Examples of humectants include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, propylene glycol, and urea.

Emollients are available in different formulations, including lotions, creams, gels, sprays, and ointments. They can be applied directly to the skin, and it is recommended to use them regularly to maintain healthy skin. When choosing a moisturizer, look for products that are specially formulated to defend the skin against daily environmental aggressors, such as air pollution.

To get the most out of your emollient, it is recommended to apply it to damp skin. After bathing or showering, gently pat your skin dry and apply the emollient within three minutes. Warm the emollient between your hands and gently rub it into your skin in a downward circular motion. Emollients can also be used throughout the day whenever your skin feels dry.

In addition to using emollients, wearing sunscreen is crucial for protecting the skin from the damaging effects of UV rays. Look for SPFs that contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which physically block UV rays more effectively than chemical sunscreens.

Use antioxidants to bind to free radicals before they wreak havoc on skin cells

Exposure to air pollution can create free radicals in the skin, which can cause oxidative damage and increase inflammation. Free radicals are unstable molecules with unpaired electrons that steal electrons from other cells, causing damage to skin cells. Antioxidants are chemicals that interact with and neutralise free radicals, preventing them from causing harm. They do this by giving up some of their own electrons, which disarms the free radicals and stops a chain reaction of cell damage.

Antioxidants can be obtained from dietary sources such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and phytochemicals, as well as from topical skincare products. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a well-studied antioxidant in skincare that has multiple benefits, including defending against UV damage, reducing dark spots, and stimulating collagen production. Vitamin E and ferulic acid are also antioxidants that have been shown to prevent pollution-induced skin damage.

To protect your skin from air pollution, it is important to choose a moisturiser that is formulated to defend against environmental aggressors. Regularly moisturising strengthens the skin barrier, minimising the potential for air pollutants to penetrate the skin. In addition to a healthy diet and sunscreen, adding targeted antioxidants to your skincare routine can help neutralise free radicals and mitigate their damaging effects.

While our bodies naturally produce some antioxidants, we rely on external sources to obtain the rest. A well-rounded diet and skincare products containing antioxidants can help protect your skin from the harmful effects of air pollution.

Avoid exercising outdoors when pollution levels are high

Air pollution can have harmful effects on your lungs, and certain groups are more vulnerable to these health impacts. These sensitive groups include children, older adults, and people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or lung diseases such as asthma or COPD. As such, it is important to avoid exercising outdoors when pollution levels are high.

To know when pollution levels are high, you can check your local air quality index, which will guide you on when to avoid exercising outdoors. You can use local media, air quality apps, or websites like AirNow.gov to check your daily air quality. You can even sign up to receive alerts and check the forecast for the following day. The AQI on AirNow.gov also includes a color-coded chart with pollutant-specific recommendations about who should take precautions based on air pollution levels. Additionally, experts recommend staying 350 to 600 yards away from major highways when exercising, as vehicles are a major source of pollution.

If you decide to exercise outdoors when pollution levels are high, it is recommended to wear a tight-fitting mask. However, exercising indoors with an air purifier may be a better option. If you are healthy, exercising during moderate air pollution is generally considered safe. However, for those who are older or unusually sensitive to air pollution, it is recommended to avoid prolonged and intensive exercise or physical activity when the air quality is moderate or higher.

Frequently asked questions