Anti-pollution skin products are a modern-day marvel that provides a solution to an issue that most of us prefer to avoid thinking about. The hole in the ozone layer may be shrinking (yay for a silver lining!), but air pollution levels are still very concerning.
This is true particularly in the UK, where 2000+ locations across England. Wales and Northern Ireland have levels of air pollution that exceed safety limits, according to a pollution map released by campaigners.
As such, it only makes sense that the cosmetic industry would have to provide solutions to combat the effects that impure air has on the skin. This is where anti- pollution skin products come in.
What exactly are anti-pollution skin products?
Human skin is highly porous. This means that we are vulnerable to the toxins in the air around us, both indoors and outdoors. Studies have linked outdoor air pollution, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in particular, to dark spots on the skin; and indoor pollution from sources such as cleaning products, air conditioning and cooking can also lead to skin concerns.
Anti-pollution products are either developed to safeguard the skin against dust particles and free radicals. Conversely, they remove impurities after exposure. This includes deep-cleaning masks that clean the skin more thoroughly than conventional cleansers.
How to choose anti-pollution skin products
When you are shopping for skincare solutions like exfoliants, moisturising oils, or nourishing hand cream, there are a few things to look out. Whether you wish to invest in a product that will protect your skin against the effects of pollution. This includes:
- Organic products free from harmful ingredients like sulphates, mineral oil, silicone, and parabens.
- Leave-on products that combat the effects of microparticles in the atmosphere.
- Products that contain probiotics that help to build up the skin’s natural defences against environmental pollutants.
Another way to help your skin to deal with the effects of pollution is to look at your diet. By addressing your body as a holistic system that can only help itself when it has access to adequate internal resources. Moreover, you can assist it in healing a lot of the problems from the inside out. Here are a few ways to do so:
- Stay hydrated! The skin contains 64% water, which means that its barrier function is automatically affected when you aren’t properly hydrated. A good rule of thumb is to drink at least 8 glasses or 2L of water per day. Even so feel free to go over that limit.
- Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. It may seem a little obvious, but one of the most cost-effective ways to look out for your skin is to eat plenty of fresh, raw fruit and vegetables high in Vitamin A, C and E. This includes readily available options like oranges, capsicum, tomatoes, spinach, avocado, almonds, olive oil, etc.
CONCLUSION
Even though world governments are working to reduce air pollution, it is an ongoing concern. You can protect your skin against the effects of impure air by investing in anti-pollution skin products that helps your body’s largest organ to protect itself against the onslaught of free radicals and more.
