The effects of urban pollution and on the respiratory systems of the young and elderly in particular, are at last being more widely reported. Other consequences, including the significant damage pollution can cause the skin, the body's largest organ, is less widely known.
Why Pollution Damages The Skin:
Pollutant particles measure less than 2.5 microns. Their minuscule size means they easily penetrate the outer layers of the epidermis. These particles contain free-radicals, unstable atoms causing oxidative stress that attack the body's cells.
In the short term, these free radicals, damage the Microbiome, Acid Mantle and Lipid Layer, the upper layers of the epidermis, the skin's first line of defence, against environmental and other external stresses.
In the longer term, these toxins result in accelerated ageing of the skin, meaning, fine lines, wrinkles, overall dullness and loss of elasticity.
A particular problem for urban dwellers occurs when pollutants sitting on the skin react with UV pollution leading to hyper-pigmentation.
And What We Can Do About It:
Protect:
Good quality moisturisers should provide occlusive protection. A barrier that not only prevents the skin from losing moisture but also prevents the epidermis from coming into contact with harmful particles. Effective occlusive protection is offered by cold-pressed oils such as Rosehip Seed, Jojoba, and Borage.
As hyper-pigmentation will occur when UV light reacts with pollutants on the skin's surface. Products containing Zinc Oxide will prevent this by deflecting UVA and UVB light back away from the skin.
Cleanse:
It is essential to clean the skin thoroughly at least once a day to remove harmful pollutant particles from the skin. Because of their microscopic size pollutants will collect in the pores and are difficult to dislodge. Astringents such as witch-hazel not only cleanse but also work by reducing the size of the skin's pores forcing impurities to the surface where they are more easily removed.
Hydrate and replenish:
A day's exposure to urban environments is exhausting for the skin. A moisturiser or serum containing humectants such as hyaluronic acid and vegetable glycerine help to reintroduce vitality. As they hold many times their weight in water they work by re-hydrating the epidermis and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Face oils rich in essential fatty acids can also play an important role in protecting the skin. As they help replenish the building blocks necessary to maintain a healthy protective barrier.