Pollution Is Everywhere And Is One Of The Skin’s Worst Enemies. Here’s How To Protect From It

From the thick smog that clouds the skies to the noxious fumes belched out by cars and the pungent smoke from burning tobacco, the air we breathe daily is teeming with a whole host of pollutants that can take a real toll on our skin. As a city-dweller, I’ve seen firsthand the damage pollution can do to the skin. And given that 9 out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air, it’s a scary thought that pollutants are everywhere and can easily penetrate the skin. And no, your body won’t be able to fight pollution on its own, so you need to give it a helping hand.

Even though the skin has a built-in defense system and does its best to act as a barrier against external damage, you shouldn’t entirely count on it. This is because constant exposure to pollutants can weaken its defense and leave your skin susceptible to a range of issues. Dryness, rashes, inflammations, premature aging, and even conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne have been associated with exposure to air pollution. 

All things considered, it’s high time you take action to protect your skin from air pollution and turn on your defense against it. To get to the bottom of it, let’s start by taking a closer look at how pollution affects the skin and how to build an anti-pollution skincare routine to counteract it.

How does pollution affect the skin?

Pollutants are bad for your skin because they create free radicals in the body—unstable molecules that damage every cell and tissue in your skin. Subsequently, they weaken the skin’s antioxidant capacity and leave the skin vulnerable to more damage from other external threats. 

How this affects your skin is worrying, at least. Both outdoor and indoor pollution were found to accelerate skin aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, reduce skin moisture, aggravate acne, and worsen inflammatory conditions.^[1][2] And if you think you don’t have to worry about pollution and shield your skin, especially in a city, think twice.

Pollution is almost everywhere. Cars, industrial processes, power plants, paints, and pesticides are some of the most common sources of pollutants we encounter every day. Tobacco smoke is also one and generates over 10 free radicals per puff—enough to wreak havoc on skin health.^[3] And even if you live in an environment with a breath of fresh air, you are not completely safe. Airborne pollutants emitted by planes affect the whole world and are detrimental to the skin too.^[1]

Which are the most harmful pollutants for the skin?

The ground-level ozone turns out to be the most harmful outdoor pollutant. It’s a noxious gas formed when nitrogen oxides (gases produced from burning fossil fuels) and volatile organic compounds (chemicals found in solvents, paints, etc.) react with heat and sunlight. It’s quite bad since this scenario happens often in urban areas, especially during summer. It’s a double-whammy because exposure to this pollutant has been linked to a 70% reduction in vitamin E and a 50% decrease in skin microflora, leaving skin exposed to damage and vulnerable to harmful bacteria.^[4]

Ozone, cigarette smoke, and other pollutants also oxidize squalene, a lipid naturally found in the skin’s sebum. This, in turn, can increase the sebum excretion rate and worsen inflammatory acne.^[4]

Skin issues caused by pollution

According to the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, exposure to air pollutants can trigger and worsen the following skin conditions:^[5]

• Weakened antioxidant defense
• Imbalanced skin microflora
• Premature skin aging
• Hyperpigmentation and dark spots
• Atopic dermatitis/eczema
• Acne
• Psoriasis
• Dry skin
• Weakened skin barrier function
• Inflammations

How to protect skin from pollution 

Prevention

You know the saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It goes exactly the same with protecting the skin from pollution—prevention comes first. Avoiding areas with public smoking and around industries, wearing protective clothing when outside, and investing in an indoor air purifier and ventilator can help mitigate the impact of pollution on the skin and prevent conditions caused by it.

Using sunscreen during the daytime is also a good prevention measure. Even though it does not block pollutants from penetrating the skin, sunscreen does block UV, which reduces the number of free radicals that pass through the skin. Moreover, wash your face immediately after being outside to remove accumulated pollutants and stay hydrated to help flush out toxins from the body.

Diet

Polluants generate free radicals, and your body needs antioxidants to scavenge them. Hence, having a diet rich in antioxidants can consolidate your body’s defense system and help protect the skin from damage induced by air pollution. Vitamins A, B3, and C, omega fatty acids, β-carotene, and coenzyme Q10 are all essential antioxidants and key players in the fight against free radicals. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, olive oil, fish, red wine, and green tea are good sources of these antioxidants, so try to include as many as possible in your diet.

Skincare

Your skincare routine is the best place to fortify your skin with anti-pollution protection and restore its natural defense mechanism. And as you may have guessed, it all boils down to using antioxidant-rich products. Look out for products, preferably serums, with high concentrations of antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, niacinamide, green tea, coenzyme Q10, and resveratrol. These are powerful anti-pollution skincare ingredients that will keep your skin safeguarded and reduce the harmful effects of pollutants.

Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Serum is one of our favorites because it packs all the good stuff to combat the effects of pollution on the skin. Apply it every morning to get your skin instantly hydrated and strengthen its antioxidant defense. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is also a solid option we’re willing to stake our reputation for. Even though it’s a bit pricier, it loads a generous amount of vitamins C and E to deliver A-class anti-pollution protection. And for a budget-friendly alternative, check out The Ineky List Niacinamide Serum.

Also, washing your face two times a day (in the morning and evening) with a cleanser can help eliminate the toxins and pollutants accumulated on the skin. Use a gentle formula sans alcohol, fragrances, and sulfates, like La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser.

In addition to cleansing, exfoliate your skin regularly to get rid of damaged cells and pollutants trapped on the skin’s surface. Preferably use a chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid or lactic acid two times a week. This will also enhance the penetration of your other skincare products, including antioxidants, so they provide better anti-pollution protection.

Lastly, use a lightweight moisturizer with added antioxidants during the day to keep your skin hydrated and protected. For the night, apply a regenerative cream. They are usually made with ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids and work to restore the epidermal barrier, which has the role of protecting the skin from external threats, pollutants included. Two to try are Andalou Naturals Repair Cream and CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream.

Here’s a complete anti-pollution skincare routine:

• Wash your face two times a day with a gentle cleanser.
• Apply an antioxidant serum with vitamins C and E in the morning.
• Use a lightweight moisturizer with added antioxidants for the day.
• Use sunscreen every time you go out.
• Apply a regenerative and skin-repairing cream at night.
• Exfoliate two times a week.

Footnotes

Women’s Concepts uses reliable sources, including dermatologists’ insights, clinical trials, and scientific journals, to find accurate information and support all the facts shared in our articles. All statements and claims have clear and legit references. Read our editorial policy to learn more about our sources of information, our process of researching and fact-checking the content, and how our team strives to keep all articles updated, completed, and trustworthy.