Do you ever feel like you are wiping the city off your face after a day out and about? This clogged, greasy skin feeling is a result of the bacteria and pollution surrounding us. Pollution doesn’t only harm the planet—this silent enemy is slowly weakening your skin as well.
Why does pollution matter?
According to recent studies, living in highly polluted cities can age you significantly, making your skin look years older. How exactly does this happen? The air is filled with microscopic specks of smoke, soot, acid and other pollutants that come into contact with your skin on a daily basis. According to a recent study, New York air is a bizarre brew of “bacteria, pollen, clothing fiber, fungus, tire rubber, dead skin cells, cooking fat, and carbon emissions.” These pollutants, often referred to as PM2.5, are microscopic fine particles that are up to twenty times smaller than your pores. This allows them to bypass the protective outer layers of the skin and leads to inflammation in the deeper layers of living tissues.
Ill-effects of Pollution
When pollutants like fumes, smoke, and metals settle on your skin, a surge of free radicals is produced. These can strip the skin of barrier lipids, which help retain moisture and keep out dirt and other impurities. A compromised skin barrier can lead to increased skin sensitivity, discomfort, and premature signs of skin aging – especially pigmentation issues. The result: people with sensitive skin suffering from inflammatory skin conditions are faced with further inflammation.
Solution
Besides regular cleansing, scrubbing and toning your skin with the best of the products available in the market, it’s extremely important to visit a Dermatologist once in every 3 months. Several skin treatments are beneficial for the skin to restore the essential oils thereby making you look younger and radiant.