How Pollution Affects Your Skin and What You Can Do About It

Pollution is bad for the planet, and it’s bad for your skin, too. Our skin is easily affected by environmental stressors and can be damaged without us even realizing it. With millions of people living in cities and busy towns, our skin is exposed to harsh elements every day. It’s no wonder that there has been an increase in public interest in protecting our skin from pollution. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you learn more.

What is air pollution?

In short, air pollution is the dirt particles and gases released in our daily lives. We are exposed to this from many sources, such as car exhaust, construction sites, cigarette smoke, and air conditioning. Dirt particles are too small to be seen by the naked eye and can penetrate the surface of the skin, causing clogged pores and uneven skin tone. Once pollution has penetrated the skin barrier, more pollution can penetrate more easily. Fortunately, you can keep your skin healthy by maintaining an effective skin care routine, but more on that later.

How does pollution affect your skin?

Pollution consists of tiny particles of dirt, soot, and dust found in the everyday environment. These particles enter the skin and have a negative effect on it called oxidation. Over time, this can lead to a number of different problems, such as premature aging, dark spots, and even skin cancer.

Not only does pollution feel dirty on the surface of the skin, but nanoparticles and chemicals can penetrate the skin’s epidermis, causing what’s known as “oxidative stress,” which weakens the skin’s natural barrier. The job of this protective barrier is to fight harmful toxins and free radicals that attack the skin. In most cases, it succeeds, but it’s not indestructible and can cause inflammation.

The following skin problems are caused by overexposure to pollution without taking the proper steps to protect the skin:

Skin pigmentation, such as dark spots and uneven skin tone

Enlarged pores

Redness and rashes

Fine lines, wrinkles, and all the signs of premature aging

Skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and flare-ups

Breakouts like pimples and blackheads

Dull, lackluster complexion

As you can see, pollution is one of the leading causes of skin damage. You can’t make it too hard on yourself, as it’s impossible to 100% prevent pollution. However, there are steps you can take to counteract the damage it causes.

How to protect your skin from pollution?

Luckily, there are products specifically designed to protect your skin from pollution. Remember to cleanse your skin twice a day and use products that contain antioxidants (molecules that can neutralize free radicals on your skin).

Step 1 – Deep Cleansing

When I say deep cleansing, I don’t mean a quick wipe with a cotton pad soaked with makeup remover. To ensure your skin is thoroughly clean, you must first remove all traces of makeup. You can do this with any product, such as a cream or balm. I recommend against using makeup wipes, as they don’t completely remove makeup from your skin.

Once you’ve removed your makeup, it’s time to start cleansing. Choosing a formula with AHAs or antioxidants will provide extra support to your skin, helping it shed dead skin cells and remove dirt, oil, and debris that accumulates in the lower layers of the skin, which can cause breakouts and uneven skin tone.

Your skin should feel clean and comfortable, but not tight. While it may be tempting to overwork your skin, stripping away excess oils from your skin barrier won’t benefit your skin, and it won’t function properly, which means you’ll be starting from scratch.

Step 2 – Exfoliation

Remove all dead skin cells and remaining traces of pollution to rejuvenate your skin for an all-around healthy glow. You can choose between a manual facial peel or a chemical peel toner. Both work wonders for the skin, but should not be overused as this can cause an imbalance in the water and oil balance of your skin.

Step 3 – Add Antioxidants
Antioxidants are the best thing to fight pollution. They fight and neutralize free radicals in the skin that can cause premature aging and irritation. Many formulas contain antioxidants like vitamin C, but we recommend using it in a serum so that it can be absorbed into the skin as long as possible and work in the lower layers of the skin. If you want to learn more, read our blog post on how antioxidants can help improve skin health.

Step 4 – Moisturize
Your skin needs moisture to function. Applying moisturizer twice a day will keep the epidermis plump and hydrated, allowing the skin barrier to function properly, leaving your skin looking younger, softer, and more radiant.

Step 5 – SPF

While the sun’s UV rays aren’t considered pollution, overexposure to radiation can make it easier for free radicals to penetrate the skin and cause damage. If you use products with an SPF of 30 or above every day, you’re creating an extra barrier to protect your skin, while also keeping dirt particles away from your skin for longer.

Can makeup protect your skin from pollution?

In some ways, makeup is considered the skin’s second best defense against oxidative stress. The pigments and other light-reflecting ingredients in foundation act as a great physical barrier to the skin. Not to mention, many makeup products now contain a range of skincare ingredients like SPF and vitamins.

However, protecting your skin from pollution with makeup is a double-edged sword. It’s best not to sleep with your makeup on, as this can cause a lot of problems for your skin. Pimples, blackheads, fine lines, and enlarged pores that plague your face weaken the skin barrier and allow air pollution to cause more damage. Make sure to remove your makeup every night. Trust me, your skin will thank you.
Pollution is something we have to deal with every day. However, now you have a better understanding of how to treat your skin and address the problem so that your skin can repair itself over time, giving you a healthy, even, youthful complexion every day.

Are you concerned about uneven skin tone? For more information, check out our blog post on skin care tips for treating dark spots.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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