Why pollution is making you age faster

LET’S CLEAR THE AIR: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM POLLUTION-RELATED DAMAGE

Pollution is a growing concern around the world. As the global population continues to rise, more waste is produced so that the air we breathe and the water we drink are susceptible to more and more pollutants. While the impact of pollution on the environment and our health is well-known, we often overlook its devastating effects on our skin. In this article, we will explore how pollution affects the skin and what we can do to protect ourselves from its harmful effects.

The Invisible Danger: How Pollution Affects the Skin

While it’s true that our skin has a protective outer layer that acts as a shield against environmental aggressors, prolonged exposure to pollution breaks down this “shield” and makes the skin more vulnerable to damage. Here’s the scary part: Pollution particles are tiny enough to actually penetrate the epidermis, causing damage to its natural barrier. 

Pollution contains a range of harmful substances, including particulate matter, ozone, and smoke. These pollutants can cause oxidative stress and inflammation in the skin, leading to premature ageing, uneven skin tone, and other skin problems, including acne, redness and irritation. Let’s look at the effects of these in more detail: 

• Particulate matter is one of the most harmful pollutants for the skin. It is made up of tiny particles that are small enough to penetrate the skin's pores. Once inside, these particles can cause inflammation and trigger the production of free radicals, which can damage skin cells and accelerate the ageing process.

• Ozone is another common pollutant that can damage the skin. It is formed when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the air. Ozone can penetrate the skin and cause inflammation, leading to skin irritation, redness, and premature ageing.

• Smoke (including cigarette smoke) can cause serious damage to the skin. It contains a range of harmful chemicals that can cause oxidative stress and inflammation. Cigarette smoke, in particular, can also deplete the skin's natural antioxidants, making it more vulnerable to damage from other pollutants.

The Specific Effects of Pollution on Skin

The negative effects of pollution manifest in different forms: Here are some of the most common ones: 

• Acne: Prolonged exposure to pollution can cause acne breakouts. This is because pollution can clog the pores and trigger inflammation, leading to the formation of pimples.

• Dullness: Pollution can make the skin look dull and lifeless. This is because pollution can damage the skin's natural radiance and cause it to appear lacklustre.

• Dryness: Pollution can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and flakiness. This can make the skin more vulnerable to damage from other environmental factors, such as the sun and wind.

• Sensitivity: Pollution can make the skin more sensitive and reactive. This is because pollution can compromise the skin's natural barrier and make it more vulnerable to irritants and allergens.

Clinical Studies of Pollution-Related Skin Damage

There are numerous real-life cases of people experiencing skin problems due to pollution exposure. For example, a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that people who lived in urban areas with high levels of pollution had more hyperpigmentation and wrinkles than those who lived in less polluted areas.

Preventing Pollution-Related Skin Damage

Thankfully, skincare has evolved with science to provide protection against pollution. Knowing what to do, which products to use, and what ingredients to include in your regimen is essential for maintaining healthy skin through the onslaught of pollution.  Here are some tips for preventing pollution-related skin damage:

• Cleansing: Let’s start at the start. This is quite obvious, but cleansing the skin twice a day is essential for removing pollutants and other impurities from the skin's surface. Look for gentle, sulfate-free cleansers that won't strip the skin of its natural oils. pHFormula’s Foam Cleanse has been specifically formulated with an anti-pollution agent, which forms a shield at the surface of the skin to minimise the effects of urban pollution and smog on the skin. It gets its superior cleansing properties from a rich blend of essential minerals that stimulates cell turnover, restoring vitality and radiance. Another great cleansing option is Dermaceutic Oxybiome Cleansing Micellar Water.  This gentle yet effective cleansing water thoroughly removes makeup and purifies the skin. It works by supporting the skin’s natural microbiota that helps reduce skin redness, imperfections and inflammation while restoring the skin’s pH. It has been formulated to have an anti-pollution effect which removes environmental build-up.

• Using antioxidant-rich skincare products: Antioxidants are like little pollution-fighting super-heroes that can help protect the skin from free radical damage. By adding regular doses of anti-oxidant ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea extract, you can ensure your skin stays strong, healthy and protected. A good Vitamin C serum (like phFormula’s VitaC Concentrated Corrective Serum or Dermaceutic TriVitaC30 Serum) is a simple addition that can help neutralise free radicals. YouthLab’s Brightening Boom Sheet Mask contains a combination of 12 vitamins for an incredible antioxidant boost. The unique combination of Vitamin C, along with Vitamins E, F, and H, as well as the potent Vitamin B complex, re-activates the skin’s metabolism and stimulates collagen synthesis. Another great way to ensure you stay protected is using an SPF with added antioxidants like pHFormula’s UV Protect SPF50+ with vitamins A and E, and Co-Enzyme Q10, which reduces free radical damage.

• Skin Barrier Protection - When the skin barrier is compromised, pollutants can penetrate deeper into the skin and cause severe damage. This can lead to a range of problems, including inflammation, irritation, acne and premature ageing. Additionally, a weakened skin barrier can also make the skin more susceptible to other environmental stressors, such as UV radiation and harsh weather conditions. pHformula’s VitaD cream contains a state-of-the-art Prebiotic Complex that significantly increases the skin microbiome's stability and efficiency, enabling faster resettlement of the skin’s first line of defence. Dermaceutic Panthenol Ceutic is another amazing option. It contains an ester form of vitamin E, renowned for its antioxidant properties that helps to combat the free radicals responsible for photoaging. Also, shea butter and beeswax are both intensely hydrating actives that alleviate dryness and nourish the skin thanks to their film-forming properties to protect it from environmental damage. 

• Avoiding exposure to pollutants when possible: While it's not always possible to avoid pollution completely, there are steps you can take to minimise your exposure. For example, try to avoid outdoor exercise during rush hour traffic or on smoggy days. 

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle: A healthy lifestyle can help keep the skin healthy and resilient against pollution damage. This includes eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, getting regular exercise to improve circulation and oxygen flow to the skin, and getting enough sleep to help the skin repair and regenerate. The Something Range from Biocol Labs features all-natural, highly effective health supplements to strengthen skin from the inside out. Something for a detox week is a  powerful plant mix that supports liver function and cleaning capacity. It helps to eliminate toxins of an urban lifestyle, such as pollution and passive smoking.

Conclusion

To conclude, we can’t ignore the fact that pollution is a major threat to skin health and can cause a range of problems, from premature ageing to irritation and inflammation. The harmful effects of pollution are particularly pronounced in urban areas, where the concentration of pollutants is higher. However, with the right skincare routine and lifestyle habits, you can protect your skin from pollution and maintain its health and appearance.

For more information or help in finding the perfect products for you, don’t hesitate to reach out. Remember to sign up for the Skin Fit newsletter for your ultimate source of science-backed skincare knowledge.