Pollution and the Skin

Here’s what you need to know

One trend we have noticed is becoming more and more prevalent is the rise in skincare catering specifically to pollution. While pollution is a broad term, most anti-pollution skincare products on the market are referring to air pollution. Air pollution typically consists of gases and particles released into the air from human activities: exhaust fumes, manufacturing processes, oil and chemical refineries, cigarette smoke, etc. And the concern is real. Air pollution is getting worse in the US, not better, according to the EPA. When looking at air quality in regards to fine particle air pollution, namely the number of fine particles at PM2.5 there are in the air, the trend is rising upwards since 2016. PM2.5 refers to Particulate Matter at 2.5 microns or less in size, which is important because at this microscopic size, the particles can be inhaled and absorbed into the bloodstream. For comparison's sake, one human red blood cell is about 5 microns in diameter and the pores of our skin about 50-70 microns in diameter.

While inhalation of air pollution is of course a serious concern, it is also a concern for the skin. The fine particles are small enough to get into our pores and cause oxidative stress. Air pollution has a propensity to cause brown spots, dull skin tone, wrinkles, enlarged/clogged pores, sensitive skin, dry/itchy skin, and other undesirable effects causing damage to our natural skin barrier. Our body has an intelligent natural antioxidant network to combat these kinds of intruders, however when the air is particularly contaminated (as is the case in many of our large cities) it is wise to support that network with products and supplements that are high in antioxidants.

What to do?? Well, for the sake of full transparency, you can’t fully protect the skin from the visible effects of air pollution, unfortunately the problem is simply too pervasive. The good news is that there are steps you can take to minimize its effects:

• Proper Cleansing: If your face feels particularly dirty or grimey, double cleansing is a practice that can remove the majority of the dirt and pollution on your face. For this time of year we recommend a quality oil cleanser that not only can remove dirt, makeup, and pollution, but also contains oils that have strong antioxidant properties. Couple this with a mild exfoliating cleanser and you should be able to remove most of the pollution that might have accumulated throughout the day.

• Hydration: We want to keep the skin hydrated and happy throughout the day to ensure that it has the strength to help keep the skin barrier function strong and balanced. When this is the case, it can help keep all those foreign particles out. Make sure you’re drinking enough water, and incorporate a water-based serum or moisturizer in your routine if you haven’t already since they provide a good dose of humectants (hydration).

• Boosting Antioxidants: Both oral and topical forms of antioxidants are recommended. Eating antioxidant-rich, quality foods (Biodynamic if possible! 🤗)  with vitamins A, C, D, and B-Complex can help the body fight off the destructive reactive oxygen species that pollution brings with it. Topically, a serum packed with antioxidant ingredients like our Restorative Antioxidant Serum will help the skin ward off pollution and environmental stress.

• Adaptogens: Like antioxidants, adaptogens can be used orally or topically, and as their name suggests, they are natural substances (typically herbs) that instead of pushing the body in a particular direction, adapt according to what the body needs. One common example is ginseng which some people use when their energy is low, and others who use it to fall asleep. Some good examples for combating air pollution are ashwagandha, chaga, reishi, eleuthero where you can make an infusion (a tea) of these herbs. Topically a good example of an adaptogen is Moringa, a nutrient that helps repair the skin barrier and help with hydration.

• Be vigilant: There are apps that can tell you the current status of the air in your area, we use one called IQAir AirVisual which sources air pollution levels from a variety of places in order to give you a good indication of your air. It will even provide the level of PM2.5 so you can see how bad the pollution is on a given day. If the levels of pollution are particularly bad, stay indoors and keep the windows closed. And for extra protection, consider investing in a quality home air-filtration system (we use Molekule) to remove harmful particles that may be floating around.

While it’s virtually impossible to protect oneself from all pollutants and skin-irritants in today’s world, there are relatively easy ways to take defensive actions. Taking the steps above should help if you’re concerned about air pollution and its effects on your skin. Unfortunately the threat from pollution is real, so protecting the skin and overall health is definitely recommended whether you’re in a densely populated city or on the beach. Hopefully the above prove useful!

XO,

Carolina