Pollution affects every aspect of our lives, from the water we drink to the food we eat to the air we breathe. It’s no wonder, then, that the environment also affects our skin. Here’s how the environment around us—like pollution and smoke—negatively impacts the look of your face.
A giant study released in 2016 showed that air pollution had a massive impact on the skin of women living in urban environments. Tiny particles of pollution like smoke, acid, car emissions, and soot are so small that they can penetrate into your skin where they break down collagen. What does that mean? Without properly protecting yourself from the effects of pollution, you’ll notice:
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Uneven skin tone
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Faster aging
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Declined elasticity
That’s bad news. But here’s the good news: pollution damage is preventable. Here are three steps to stop pollution from ruining your skin:
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Deeply cleanse
Gently cleanse every morning and night. An electronic brush can help cleanse deeper into the skin. Tone afterwards with a high-quality toner.
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Use antioxidants
You’ve heard about free radicals, but may not realize what they are. When pollution is absorbed by your skin, it creates free radicals, which can cause fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and even cancer. Thankfully, antioxidants neutralize free radicals. Utilize face masks that contain antioxidants: these seal in the serum and push it deeper into the dermis where it can effectively fight free radicals.
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Create a barrier
The best way to stop pollution from damaging your skin is to stop it from penetrating into your skin in the first place. UV rays can accelerate the damage of pollution, so use sunscreen each and every morning to help prevent those nasty pollutants from reaching deeper into your skin.
Pollution can seriously damage your skin, but following the above steps is a great way to prevent premature aging and make sure you keep looking your best.
