Did you know that pollution is the second most harmful aggression to the skin after the sun?
Pollution has been in the news a lot lately, and with good reason – shockingly, London breached its annual air pollution limit for 2017 in the first five days of the year. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan went as far as to brand it a health crisis and recently pledged to double funding to help tackle the problem. While it’s long been known that pollution is bad for our health, people are now starting to turn their attention to what it does to the skin, and we’re afraid it’s not good…
One of the biggest pollution-related threats to our skin is PM2.5, microscopic pollutant particles that clog pores and can also penetrate right through to the epidermis, causing a lot of damage. While research into the effects of pollution on the skin is fairly limited at this stage, it has been shown to cause premature ageing, hyper-pigmentation and oxidative and DNA cell damage. As if that wasn’t bad enough, it also generates free radicals and inflammation and will leave you with a greasy, dehydrated and dull complexion.
It’s not all doom and gloom, however. There are things you can do to prevent the damaging effects of pollution on your skin, such as cleansing every day. It’s best to do it as soon as you get home to rid your skin of damaging toxins immediately instead of giving them a few hours to wreak havoc. And, as always, the beauty industry has come to our rescue by developing products specifically targeted at fighting pollutants. To get you started, we’ve selected a few of our natural anti-pollution skincare favourites.
This hypo-allergenic moisturising cream offers a detoxifying action that helps to neutralise the harmful effects of environmental aggression and contains oily extracts of organic arctic raspberry seeds, which are both anti-free radical and anti-inflammatory.
Image Credit: Detoxifying Moisturising Cream, £21, NATorigin
This serum defends cells against oxidative stress that can lead to early ageing thanks to a strong dose of antioxidants that help to combat free radical damage. Scientifically shown to inhibit oxidative stress by up to 90 percent, it features superfruits blessed with some of the highest concentrations of anti-ageing antioxidants.
Image Credit: Worship Skin Defence Antioxidant Serum, £33, Antipodes
This detox scrub works to rid skin of everyday pollutants that clog pores and ruin your complexion. The volcanic clay exfoliates and then absorbs and washes away problematic impurities, while the soothing lotus flower and antioxidant-rich yerba mata help to rebalance the skin.
Image Credit: Hawaiian Detox Scrub, $9.85, Alba Botanica
Éminence Organic Skincare’s new three-piece capsule collection, featuring the Stone Crop Cleansing Oil and Oxygenating Fizzofoliant and Lotus Detoxifying Overnight Treatment, is designed to combat environmental stressors as well as cleanse, exfoliate, detox and protect the skin.
Image Credit: Microgreens Detox Collection, £45 – £58, Éminence Organic Skincare
Ideal for skin that is regularly exposed to stress, pollution, UVs and other free radicals, this 100 percent plant-based formula, infused with grape seed, rosehip, neroli, lavender and carrot oils, promotes cellular renewal and toxin elimination.
Image Credit: Overnight Detox Oil, £30, Caudalie
This cream cleanser supports the skin’s structure from within, boosts collagen production and gently removes impurities. The inclusion of blackberry leaf extract protects against environmental damage and premature ageing while essential amino acids support healthy skin cell generation.
Image Credit: Restore and Replenish Cream Cleanser, £18, Balance Me
Article by
Emily McMullin
Article by
Emily McMullin
By Emily McMullin
By Emily McMullin 
