We already know the damaging effects that UV rays from the sun can have on our skin but have you ever thought about polluted air? With carbon emissions on the rise year after year and forest fires becoming a more common occurrence, I thought it was time to put some thought into how the air we live in and breathe daily can be affecting our skin and bodies.

According to the World Health Organization, the two most prevalent types of air pollution are smog and soot. Smog (sometimes referred to as ground-level ozone) occurs when emissions from combusting fossil fuels react with sunlight. These emissions come from sources like vehicles, factories, and other machinery with engines. Soot (also known as particulate matter) is made up of tiny particles of chemicals, soil, smoke, dust, or allergens—in the form of either gas or solids—that are carried in the air. The sources of smog and soot are similar. Soot also comes from cars and trucks, factories, power plants, incinerators, engines, and forest fires.

Environmental pollution like soot and smog produces damaging free radicals that age our skin and damage our bodies. Not to mention this pollution also congests our skin (and lungs) and can cause sensitivity or allergy reactions like redness, itchiness, small breakouts, and uneven texture.

scrub me secret: these pollutants in the air are small particles that can easily be inhaled as well as settle into our pores. Not only does air pollution cause damage to our skin but it can also contribute to breathing problems and make asthma worse for those who have it.

Free radicals ➡️ What are they and how do they damage our skin?

A free radical is an unstable molecule that is commonly found in pollutants and UV rays. The reason why free radicals are a danger to our skin and bodies is that these molecules have the ability to cause damage to our cells, DNA, and proteins. Free radicals are also known to increase the risk of certain cancers. Since these molecules are unpaired and unstable they are searching for electrons to pair with to stabilize themselves. Think of these free radicals as leeches to the healthy cells in our body. We don’t want these pesky, damaging molecules attaching themselves to our lovely skin tissues or other cells in the body. We need to defend and fight back!

scrub me secret: EFPRs (environmental persistent free radicals) are a new class of free radicals that have a much longer lifespan vs. a typical free radical atom. Therefore, they can cause more damage to our bodies😳

Air pollution debris ➡️ How does it affect our skin?

This polluted debris in the air has the ability to build up on our skin’s surface and add to congestion in our pores. This leads to more visible-looking pores as well as blackheads. This air debris can also cause inflammation and irritation, making our skin appear redder and disrupting an even complexion. In some cases, polluted air can even cause atopic dermatitis which is a skin condition where skin becomes itchy, bumpy, and red. A study from the National Institutes of Health also found that an increase in air pollution was associated with an increase in pigmented spots and wrinkles on the skin. It is said that currently 99% of the world’s population is affected by air pollution.

Skincare products to defend skin again air pollution:

Skincare items like these can help protect your skin against air pollution and environmental stressors. Helping to reduce signs of aging, help keep your complexion even and clear, and keep your skin cells healthy and happy.

Vitamin C Serum:

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing the damage that they cause. This is why it is always suggested to use antioxidant vitamin C serum during your daytime skincare routine. A vitamin C serum layered underneath your moisturizer and SPF is the perfect way to defend your skin against pollution and sun damage. The only thing better would be to add a defense mist on top!

My favorite Vitamin C serum that I find most effective is the Josh Rosebrook vitamin C serum.

SPF:

SPF focuses on defending our skin against damage caused by the sun (UVA and UVB rays). This layer of defense ends up helping to protect our skin from other free radical damage that comes from pollution. Layering antioxidant-rich serum like vitamin C and a moisturizer that contains effective antioxidants underneath your SPF is the way you’re going to preserve and protect your skin the most.

I like SPF products from PCA, Eleven by Venus Williams, and Indie Lee.

Pollution Defense Mist:

A pollution defense mist is a facial mist we can use over our serums, moisturizer, SPF, and even makeup to give our skin an extra layer of defense against oxidative environmental elements like air pollution and harmful light that comes from our electronic devices. These mists work by having a dynamic blend of ingredients that include specific antioxidants and skin-strengthening ingredients that give your skin a layer of defense.

I like to mist my skin a few times throughout the day with a defense mist like this. I really like the PCA daily defense mist and Glow Alchemist defense mist.

scrub me secret: If you live in an area where the air has pollution it’s especially important to double cleanse your skin at the end of the day. This means using a cleansing balm or oil before using your typical facial cleanser. Using a cleansing balm or oil with antioxidant-rich properties gives your skin an even better chance of recovery.

Skincare products that minimize damage caused by air pollution:

Skincare items and treatments like these are helpful for combatting any free radicals or pollution damages your skin might have experienced. Using items like these can help stop further damage to your skin and help reset it back to a healthy place.

Antioxidant Serums/Lotions/Mists:

Antioxidant skin care is amazing because it not only helps protect our skin against damage but it also has the ability to reduce the damage that our skin might have already experienced and heal our cells. Antioxidants have the ability to stop free radicals from doing more damage to the skin. This means that those longer-living EPRFs (environmental persistent free radicals) stand less of a chance of causing damage to our collagen and elastin if we use antioxidant-rich skincare to combat them.

Having a facial serum, lotion, and/or facial mist in your daily PM routine that contains an effective blend of antioxidants is a great way to ensure that you’re preventing your skin from damage and early signs of aging.

Rose water mist is an easy item to add to your PM routine to give your skin a dose of antioxidants. OSEA and Goldfaden Md are two skincare lines that carry both antioxidant-rich facial lotions and serums I find to be very effective and healthy for our skin.

Clarifying Masks:

A clarifying facial mask is a mask that deeply cleanses our pores while gently exfoliating and dissolving debris on the surface layers of our skin. A mask like this is key for decongesting skin that has been exposed to a lot of soot pollution. Masks like this are best used about once a week; using a mask like this too often can result in skin sensitization.

I really love the Herbivore Blue Tansy mask for an at-home clarifying treatment. Always follow this mask by using calming and/or hydrating serum and moisturizer after mask removal.

Red/Infrared LED Therapy:

Earlier this year I took an educational course on the effects of LED paired with infrared light and I’m so glad I did! I already knew about the collagen and elastin renewal benefits of red LED but I learned so much more about the effectiveness of infrared light. Infrared light therapy has the ability to penetrate healing, anti-inflammatory, and skin-strengthening light waves deeper into the skin. The combination of this age-reversing red LED light therapy paired with infrared light that combats inflammation and free radical damage is perfect for repairing your skin.

LightStim red and infrared LED therapy is something that you can visit a skin therapist for or you can purchase a device yourself for at-home use. A device like this is best for once-weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly use on cleansed skin. I love adding LightStim LED therapy to my facials at scrub me skin care studio.

scrub me secret: oxygenating facials are facial treatments that revitalize skin by creating rich oxygen flow and infusing antioxidants. The main focus of a facial treatment like this is reducing damage caused by the sun and air pollution as well as anti-aging the skin. Many spas and skincare studios offer oxygenating facial treatments. scrub me skin care studio definitely does!

I know it’s hard work to protect our skin, but it’s our largest organ of the body and deserves preservation and care. And think about it, the more you do to prevent and reduce damage now, the less money you’ll have to spend on anti-aging, brightening, and resurfacing treatments in the future!