One of the most damaging environmental factors for your skin is air pollution. You can't see it so you don't know it's there but its invisibility is no measure of the number it can do on your skin. When I lived in London and traveled the Tube, the grime that came off when I cleansed my face was horrendous compared to now, when I don't live in a massive urban area. And, remember, it isn't just this grimy stuff - the gasses in the air don't do you any favors either. You can't avoid it so you have to take measures to protect your skin from pollution to stave off those signs of early aging and suffer fewer breakouts.
One of the best ways to protect your skin from pollution is go through a double cleanse as part of your regular beauty routine. This is done by performing a normal surface residue cleanse that rids your skin of makeup, dirt, oils etc., and then by doing a secondary cleanse to ensure that as many impurities have been removed from your face as possible. When your pores are completely unclogged, you face a much lower risk of breakouts.
A great way to fend off skin pollution is to exfoliate your skin on a regular basis by indulging in a good scrub. Scrubbing helps to stop new skin cells growing underneath old dead ones and getting clogged up. Getting rid of all the unnecessary debris around your pores means that your skin will have a glowing appearance as opposed to a drab, dull one. The less microscopic dirt hanging around, the better!
You should be aiming to put as many antioxidants in to your body as possible. Antioxidants really help to fend off skin damage by boosting the health of the upper layers of the skin. If you don’t necessarily know what products to buy to make the most of beneficial antioxidants, then look for moisturizers, cleaners and serums that contain vitamin E and vitamin C. These types of products can really help to fight against the pollution that is all around us in urban environments.
This cannot be stressed enough. You really do need a great moisturizer and moisturizing routine if you want to combat skin pollution in a meaningful way. Not only will the moisturizer help to hydrate your skin and boost its overall health, but the product will also work to create a thin barrier between your sensitive skin and the elements in the air that might want to damage it. It really pays off to have a good moisturizer - and if it contains SPF, so much the better.
If you can, you should try to avoid being outside during the busiest rush hours of the day. Not only will there be significantly more air pollution from cars and other vehicles during this time, but you will also most likely be rushing about with other people and confined to small train carriages underground, which is the perfect breeding ground for clogged pores to multiply.
Most people make the mistake of only wearing sunscreen when it is hot outside, but the truth is that even the sun’s cold and mild rays can damage your skin! There is no harm in applying every time you go out if you have super sensitive skin, you are not doing any harm to your pores and you are protecting yourself from prolonged exposure.
Rather than thinking about what you can directly apply to your face to protect it, you should also be thinking about stay hydrated by drinking the recommended amounts of water every single day. Experts say that eight glasses of water a day will help to keep your skin healthy and glowing, and you can also top up with fruit juices that have a high water content.
Cleansing isn't just about taking your makeup off and enhancing your washing routine. Don't let pollution spoil your wish for dewy, glowing skin.