HOW TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM AIR POLLUTION

 

Demand for anti-ageing pollution beauty products is soaring as Sydney siders continue to wake up to smoke filled skies, reduced air quality and scorching summer days. This is a growing concern as the toxic air is wreaking havoc on our skin’s complexion, and it will continue to do so. Experts say the smoke is likely to stay here all summer and that means that we need to protect our skin.

The skin is a complex organism consisting of several layers designed to protect us from external elements. The outer later, the epidermis, forms a protective barrier all over the surface of the body and is responsible for keeping water in the body and pathogens out. The epidermis can be damaged by pollution in the air, affecting how your skin looks, feels and even how it ages. Keeping your epidermis healthy is the best way to stop pollution affecting your skin.

Here are our top tips to help you stay young and protect your skin from the damaging effects of pollution:

1. Start with deep cleansing: It is important that you properly remove your makeup and deeply cleanse your skin. We recommend using a cleanser that gently, yet deeply cleanses away dirt, oil, makeup, pollutants, and toxins. Cleansing your face twice a day is the key to brighter, softer, smoother looking skin.

2. Moisturise: After cleansing your face, apply serum and/or moisturiser to re-balance your skin’s moisture levels. This will help re-establish your skin’s protective barrier by adding antioxidants to your skin. A moisturiser is important and it helps protect against any chemicals or pollutants that will damage the skin.

3. Sunscreen: Sunscreen is important for your skin as it not only protects it from the harsh rays of the sun but it also aids in protecting your skin from pollutants, making it harder for the dirt, grime and other pollutants to stick to your face.

4. Use products with antioxidants: Antioxidants are naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, like vitamins A, C, E which protect your skin against free radicals. One of the killers when it comes to air pollution are free radicals, which are highly unstable molecules which damage the skin’s natural protective barrier. Antioxidants are important as they neutralise free radicals in order to protect your skin from damage. We recommend using products, both skin care and supplements that contain antioxidants in order to protect your skin from pollution. A continuous supply of antioxidants is critical to counteract free radicals for internal and external health. (Nutricentials range, Tru Face Essence Ultra, LifePak range, g3 range)

5 .Drink water: One of the best defenses in the battle for healthy skin is water. Water hydrates the skin, generates cell growth, improves circulation, helps minimise dark circles under the eyes and improve skin’s elasticity. By drinking an adequate amount of water every day, it will ensure that the skin functions at its best in protecting and strengthening the natural skin barrier.

It can be easy to forget to protect your skin from the environment as you may not see signs of damage at first. However, prolonged exposure to the sun and pollutant air can have varying effects on your skin. It is important that you follow a strict skin care regimen to ensure your skin stay’s healthy and youthful for longer.

Source:  Nuskin