How to Protect Your Skin from Every Day Air Pollution

Skin is the largest organ of your body as well as the most complex organ designed to protect you from external elements. Healthy skin starts from the inside out, but skin damage can start from the outside in. Pollution is one often overlooked factor when it comes to skin. Environmental pollution in air and water can damage the appearance and effectiveness of skin, but there are ways you can help limit the damaging effects.

Unless you live high in the mountains, you more than likely encounter some sort of pollution every single day. The diminishing ozone layer has led to increased UV exposure and as a result, increased rates of melanoma. On top of this, the air we breathe contains many different pollutants, such as cigarette smoke, car exhaust, smog, dirt, dust, and other particulate matter. These pollutants increase free radicals produced by the body.

Free radicals are everywhere...in the air we breathe, the foods we eat, sunlight, and pollution. They interfere with skin's ability to produce collagen, which keeps it firm and healthy. When pollutants and particulate matter come in contact with your skin, they can interfere with its ability to regulate moisture, leaving skin dry, splotchy, wrinkled, and clogged. This is why most doctors recommend a high-quality skincare routine consisting of antioxidants, regular face cleansing with a foam-free cleanser, and lipid barrier repair as the best defense against air pollution.

Different Types of Pollution

Several main different types of pollution that cause aging skin are as follows:

Ozone: Ozone is an oxidant that is produced when pollutants (i.e. gas exhaust from cars) react to sunlight, causing a photo chemical smog. When ozone interacts with skin, it depletes its natural antioxidant stores, particularly vitamins E and C, which leaves skin more susceptible to free radical damage and oxidative stress. It also damages proteins and lipids in your skin and can also cause asthma attacks.

Nitrogen dioxide: Nitrogen dioxide is a brown, unpleasant, and bitter smelling gas produced by motor vehicles and power plants. There hasn't been as much research performed on nitrogen dioxide's impact on skin, but it's been linked to an increase in pigmentation issues.

Particulate matter: The particulate matter that is relevant in skin health is small pieces of soot, and is usually produced from combustion of fossil fuels such as the burning of gasoline in car engines. Because of their large surface area, particulate matter is good at reacting with skin and causing oxidative stress. One of the other concerns about particulate matter is that other pollutants, like polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), can latch onto them, which means they're a very efficient means of delivering large amounts of pollutants to your skin. In a few studies, exposure to particulate matter was linked to formation of wrinkles and pigmentation spots. In one of these studies, increased exposure to particulate matter was linked to a 20% increase in pigmented spots on the cheeks and forehead. There is also evidence that particulate matter can exacerbate atopic dermatitis (eczema), psoriasis, acne, and skin cancer.

6 Ways to Protect Your Skin from Pollution

So, what can you do to protect your skin from pollution? Lucky for you, there are many skincare products on the market and daily habits you can follow to help combat oxidative stress and the signs of aging that come from pollution. Here are 6 tips to help you with this:

Antioxidants in food and skincare products: Antioxidants are substances or nutrients that can prevent or slow oxidative damage to the body. They have been shown to block free radical activity. One way to protect your skin against oxidative stress is to use skincare products with antioxidants in them daily. Antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E. Protect skin by washing your face daily, exfoliating 2-3 times a week, and applying an antioxidant-rich moisturizer daily. A good antioxidant-rich moisturizer hydrates and creates a barrier between your skin, free radicals, and other pollutants. Also, eating a diet rich in antioxidants is an excellent line of defense against the damaging effects of pollution. Antioxidants are found in many fruits and vegetables, but most often those that are brightly colored. Consider including antioxidant-rich foods in your diet such as tomatoes, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, leafy greens, etc.

Stay hydrated: Stay hydrated to flush toxins out of your system and keep your skin healthy. Water hydrates skin, generates cell growth, improves circulation, helps minimize dark under eye circles, and improves skin elasticity. To protect your skin from the effects of water pollution, you can filter your drinking water to remove chlorine and other toxins from it or drink mineral water only.

Use a foam-free cleanser daily: Cleanse your skin every morning and evening with a foam-free cleanser to remove dirt, grime, and prevent skin congestion. However, don't over cleanse or scrub. If you over cleanse or scrub too much with a soapy cleanser, you risk impairing your skin's protective lipid barrier.

Use a broad spectrum sunscreen daily: The diminishing ozone layer results in increased UV exposure, more sun burns, and higher rates of skin cancer. UV exposure increases free radical activity. Protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun and ozone every day by using a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15.

Limit chlorine exposure: Although it's used to treat drinking water, chlorine is a toxic chemical that in large quantities can cause serious agitation to the skin and lungs. Even in small amounts, the effects can take a toll over time. When you shower, heat opens your pores and allows the chlorine to seep into your skin, stripping away natural oils and causing it to dry, which can lead to wrinkles. Reduce time spent in swimming pools and other heavily chlorinated water.

Don't smoke: Smoking is simply another form of air pollution. This is also true for first-hand and second-hand smoke. It causes wrinkles by narrowing blood vessels in your skin, impeding blood flow to your skin while depleting oxygen and essential nutrients. Smoking also damages elastin and collagen fibers that give skin its elasticity and can cause it to wrinkle prematurely. Cigarette and cigar smoke is also a major source of free radicals, which can further damage and wrinkle skin. So just stay away from smoking, period!

The best place to start for healthy skin is with living a healthy lifestyle and following a consistent skincare routine using safe and effective high-quality products.