Pollution is the second-leading cause of skin damage after the sun. Researchers have found a direct correlation between the amount of pollution in the environment and the number of people experiencing skin problems, such as hives and eczema. Pollution weakens the skin, causes moisture to be lost, and makes skin cells contract and lose their shape. This eliminates the protective barrier that naturally shields skin from the environment.
Pollution is divided into two types. Urban pollution is caused by vehicles, industrial smoke emissions, and air conditioning particles. Environmental pollutants can take the form of extreme cold, sun, and hard water.
Pollution particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers or a Particle Matter of 2.5 cause city haze. These particles are 20 times smaller than skin pores, which means that thousands can penetrate the skin at one time. These particles deplete keratin proteins that keep skin moisturized and contribute to premature aging. Pollution can age residents of cities as much as 10 percent faster than people who live in rural areas.
Exposure to pollutants reduces levels of antioxidants in the body, which contributes to inflammation. Use skin care products that contain antioxidants such as vitamin C under SPF and moisturizer. This will neutralize free-radicals caused by pollution and the sun’s UV rays.
You can also take alpha lipoic acid and N-acetyl cysteine, supplements that support the liver and produce the antioxidant glutathione. The liver is responsible for detoxifying pollutants.
You can also get antioxidants from the foods you eat. Berries, citrus fruits, and orange vegetables are rich in vitamins A and C. Avoid fruits and vegetables treated with pesticides and eat organic produce whenever possible.
Cleaning your skin thoroughly can help you eliminate pollutants that can cause damage. Clarisonic’s Facial Sonic Cleansing System can remove pollution particles that are hard to see. It can remove 30 times more pollutants than normal cleansing. You can clean your skin even better by adding a purifying cleanser.
Many products have been created specifically to protect the skin from pollution. Choose a product that increases levels of clusterin, a protein that occurs naturally in skin and removes toxins. You can also use skin care products that contain white tea, green tea, dock-cress, honeysuckle, and titanium dioxide.