Scrub The Pollution Away
Scrub The Pollution Away
Exfoliating your skin on a regular basis can help guard against pollution’s negative effects from building up, giving it that dull, drab appearance. Good scrubbing helps to deep clean your pores and remove dirt, oil, and debris.
Do you live in an urban environment? City life has its perks but one downside can be the effects of pollution on your skin. Here are seven tips to deal with what I call ‘skin pollution.’
Use a good moisturizer
Moisturizers will provide your skin with antioxidant support and help hydrate your skin.
Most importantly, a moisturizer will help to create a barrier between your skin and pollutants.
Avoid rush hour
For the sake of your skin, it’s always best to avoid being in pollution-heavy areas during rush hour.
The more automobiles on the road, the more pollution you’ll be exposed to. It’s as easy as that.
Stay hydrated
Water is good for your body and great for your skin. By drinking more water, you can help keep your skin hydrated. You should also load up on fresh fruits with high water content. Look for antioxidant-enriched citrus fruits, watermelons, and apples for a delicious, hydrating snack.
Wear sunscreen
There is never a reason not to wear sunscreen when going outside. I’m sure you knew that. As a friendly reminder, it’s imperative to always protect your skin from damaging UV rays.
Some examples of outdoor pollutants include:
- Smog
- Ozone
- Ammonia
- Vehicle exhaust
- Nitrous Oxides
- Dirt, Dust, and Debris
- Toxic metals, such as mercury and lead
- Carbon Monoxide from fires and fuel combustion
- And the list goes on and on…
Outdoor pollutants are detrimental because they increase the number of free radicals in our environment—which, studies have shown is damaging to the skin. Free radicals can damage cells over time by encouraging oxidation.
Is there anything we can do to minimize the effects of pollution on our skin? Absolutely. Here are a few quick tips to help counter pollution’s negative effects on the skin.