What Is Anti-Pollution Skincare?

Most skincare products on the market deal with clearing up blemishes and protecting our epidermis from the harmful rays of the sun. While UV radiation is a definite worry for those who spend a lot of time outdoors (even in the uninspiring climate of the UK), there is another predator in the environment that’s both silent and invisible – air pollution.

However, the industriousness and ingenuity of the skincare industry should not be underestimated. As our growing cognisance of the dangers involved in air pollution has grown, so too has a market designed to mitigate them. Nowadays, anti-pollution skincare products are almost as ubiquitous as sun protection creams, so you can brave the urban smog without endangering your appearance.

The damaging effects of air pollution on skin

Poor air quality is a concern across the UK, especially in urban areas where dust, smog and smoke combine with the harmful pollutants spat out by millions of vehicle exhaust pipes, causing untold damage to our internal organs and tissues. But what about its impact on our body’s exterior?

The detrimental impact of air pollution on skin is becoming more widely publicised, as doctors, beauticians and other healthcare professionals wake up to its destructive potential. Not only can contaminants in the air irritate existing skin conditions, the free radicals contained therein can wreak havoc on the natural defences of our skin and accelerate the signs of premature aging.

In the short term, this damage can manifest itself in the form of redness, swelling, rashes, inflammation and increased sensitivity, but the long-term effects are just as concerning. The free radicals can cause tightness, fatigue and the appearance of wrinkles, making us look old before our time.

Help is at hand

Of course, the best policy to bringing down exposure to these free radicals would be to eliminate their existence in the first place. However, such a scenario can only really come about as a result of increased pressure from the top down, with the government introducing legislation intended to improve air pollution and reduce transport-related pollution. Besides signing petitions and joining marches, the common man (or woman) can do little to influence these kinds of decisions.

However, we can at least take care of ourselves. As well as limiting our exposure to air pollution by tailoring our commuting routes to bypass contamination hotspots and avoiding exercise on particularly bad days, there are also a number of skincare products on the market specifically designed to meet the challenges posed by poor air quality.

These balms, sprays and serums are packed with antioxidant solutions, which actively work to repair the damage done by free radicals. They can also form a barrier between the skin and the harmful smog in question, preventing the contaminants from wreaking any further chaos. Cleansers and moisturisers from brands such as Oskia and Clarins have been scientifically proven to bolster the body’s natural defences, making them a prudent choice for anyone serious about looking after their skin.