Protect Your Skin from Pollution: A Complete Guide to Counteracting Damage

How Pollution Can Affect The Skin And How To Counteract It

Pollution, bad for the planet and terrible for the skin. Our skin is so susceptible to environmental stress and suffers from damage without us even realising it. With millions of us living in cities and busy towns, our skin is exposed to daily aggressors constantly. It’s no wonder that public interest in protecting the skin from pollution has doubled. Not to worry, we are here to help you find out more.

What is air pollution?

In a nutshell, air pollution is dirt particles and gases that are released throughout our day to day lives. Exposure to these can come from many sources, such as car fumes, construction sites, cigarette smoke and air conditioning. Pollution particles that are too small for the naked eye to see and are able to penetrate into the skin’s surface, which can then lead to clogged pores and uneven skin tone. Once the pollution has made its way into the skin’s barrier it makes it easier for more to flood through. Fortunately, you can save your skin’s health by maintaining an effective skincare routine, but more on that later.

How does pollution affect your skin?

Pollution is made up of tiny particles of dirt, soot and dust found in everyday environments preciously mentioned. These particles make their way onto the skin and caused a negative impact on the skin called oxidation. This in time will lead to a number of different concerns such as premature ageing, dark spots and even skin cancer.

Not only does pollution leave the surface of your skin feeling dirty, but the nanoparticles and chemicals are also able to penetrate through the skin’s epidermis causing something called “oxidation stress” which will weaken the skin’s natural barrier. This protective barrier’s role is to combat any harming toxins and free radicals that attack the skin. It is successful a majority of the time but isn’t impenetrable and so inflammations can be triggered.

The following skin concerns are caused by overexposure to pollution without the correct steps being taken to protect the skin;

Skin pigmentation, such as dark spots and uneven skin tone

Enlarged pores

Redness and rashes

Fine lines, wrinkles and all signs of premature ageing

Skin condition such as eczema and rosacea suffering from flare-ups

Breakouts such as spots and blackheads

Dull and lacklustre complexion

As you can see pollution has a lot to answer from when it comes to damaging the skin. You mustn’t give yourself too much of a hard time as avoiding pollution 100 per cent of the time would be impossible. There are, however, some steps you can take to counteract any damage caused by it.

How can you protect the skin from pollution?

Luckily there are products available that have been formulated to protect the skin from pollution. Remembering to cleanse the skin twice a day and using a product containing antioxidants (which are molecules that can neutralise the free radicals on the skin) will play important parts in this routine.

Step One- Deep Cleansing

By deep cleansing, I do not mean a quick swipe of a makeup remover soaked cotton pad. To ensure the skin is completely cleansed and squeaky clean you must first remove all traces of makeup. This can be done with any product you prefer, such as creams or balms. I would advise against makeup wipes all together as they are unable to clear the skin completely of all makeup.

Once you have removed your makeup you can begin the cleanse. Opting for a formulation that has an AHA or an antioxidant will give the skin an extra boost at sloughing away dead skin cells and removing any build-up of dirt, oil and debris found in the lower layers of the skin that can lead to breakouts and uneven skin tone.

Your skin should be left feeling clean, comfortable but not tight. As tempting as it may be to overwork the skin, stripping it of too much oil will not benefit the skin’s barrier and will cause it to not function properly meaning you go back to square one.

Step Two- Exfoliation

Exfoliating away all the dead skin cells and remaining traces of pollution will revive the skin and leave it with an all-over glow of health. You can either opt for a manual face scrub or chemical exfoliating toner. Both work wonders for the skin but shouldn’t be overused as this will cause imbalance to the skin’s oil and water levels.

Step Three- Add an Antioxidant

Antioxidants are the best substance to use when tackling pollution. They are able to combat and neutralise free radicals in the skin that can cause premature ageing and irritation. You can find antioxidants, such as vitamin C, in many formulas, but we recommend using it in serum to allow the longest amount of time for it to absorb into the skin and get to work in the lower layers of the skin. If you are wanting to find out more check out our blog post on how antioxidants can help improve skin health.

Step Four- Moisturise

Your skin needs moisture to function, applying a moisturiser twice daily will keep the epidermis plumped and hydrated making the skin’s barrier able to work properly, leaving the skin looking, younger, subtle and glowing.

Step Five- SPF

The sun’s UV rays may not be classed as pollution, but overexposure to the rays will make it easier for free radicals to penetrate the skin and cause damage. Applying an SPF of 30+ on a daily basis will form an extra barrier to protect the skin and keep pollution particles at bay a little longer too.

Does makeup protect your skin from pollution?

In a way, yes, makeup has been known to be the skin’s second-best defence when it comes to combatting oxidation stress. The pigment and other light-reflecting ingredients found in foundations act as a great physical blocker for the skin. Not to mention how the number of makeup products has started to contain a number of skin-saving ingredients, such an SPF and vitamins.

There is however a double-edged sword when it comes to makeup protecting the skin from pollution. It is best not to sleep whilst wearing your makeup as this can create many problems for the skin. Spots, blackheads, fine line and enlarged pores will plague the face weakening the skin’s barrier and therefore allowing air pollution to cause more damage. Always ensure you have removed your makeup every night, trust me, your skin will thank you for it.

Environmental pollution is something we have to live with every day, however, now you have a better understanding of how to treat your skin and counteract and problems allowing your skin to repair itself over time leaving you with a healthy, even-toned younger complexion every day.

Have you any concerns with uneven skin tone? Find out more on our blog post sharing skincare tips for managing your 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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