City life has plenty of perks, but the effect on your skin is not one of them. Urban fumes and toxins are not on your side, but green beauty is striking back with anti-pollution skincare.
Protecting your skin from simply the air around you may sound a little extreme (and paranoid), but if ignored day after day, it can eventually take a very real toll on its health.
The concept behind anti-pollution skincare is nothing new. In fact, it’s a refined version of what natural beauty does best–mostly antioxidants, and lots of them. City air, thanks to our good friend fossil fuels (not), is full of free radicals which are the main cause of cell damage.
One of the biggest concerns as a result is premature skin aging, but studies have shown that certain kinds of pollution can also irritate existing conditions such as atopic dermatitis or sensitize your skin.
The enemy may be invisible, but it doesn’t mean you can’t fight back; just get this beauty arsenal on your side and ditch urban skin for good.
5 Anti-Pollution Beauty Solutions
1. De Mamiel Pure Calm Cleansing Dew
When you’re exposed to city grime on a daily basis, a good cleansing routine isn’t an option, it’s a necessity. Skin needs to be thoroughly cleansed (without over stripping), especially in the evenings, to wash away pollutants and allow it to repair unhindered overnight. Massage this emulsifying cleansing oil deep into all the nooks and crannies of your face to effectively lift away impurities. The added bonus is that free radical fighting botanicals like red raspberry seed oil and barbary fig seed oil will lend a helping hand to your skin’s natural recovery process (and leave it baby soft.)
Nothing injects life into a dull, tired complexion like a good face mask. After a long week being exposed to all the city has to throw at it, your skin will thank you for this potent dose of detoxing clay and plant extracts. A side of probiotics will also ensure that your skin’s natural protective barrier is balanced and ready for future combat with environmental hazards. Bring on the damage control!
3. 100% Pure Organic Matcha Anti-Aging: Shielding Serum
Because matcha isn’t just good for trendy lattes. Known for having off-the-chart levels of antioxidants, it seems to be the perfect answer to combating all of those pesky, free-floating toxins that come into contact with skin. One particular compound, epigallocatechin gallate, which matcha offers hefty amounts of, has been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory effects and may even protect against sun damage. Just pat this lightweight water-based serum all over your face morning and night and you’re set.
4. Osea Atmosphere Protection Cream
More into your creams than serums for your moisture needs? There are the tried and true ingredients in here like jojoba oil, shea butter, and avocado oil which will meet your skin’s nourishment needs alongside soothing any inflammation caused by environmental factors. The little twist though is Osea’s penchant for marine botanicals, as algae extract is what gives this moisturizer it’s anti-pollution kick. Mineral and antioxidant rich, it boosts the skin’s natural barrier.
5. Intelligent Nutrients PureServe Color Shield
While skin is certainly vulnerable to pollution, hair can be even more so. It is more often than not openly exposed to the elements and has a tendency to absorb anything it comes into contact with, including pollutants. This is especially true for colored hair, as the chemical processes involved with dying your ‘do make it more porous and susceptible to damage. This protective spray does the double duty of defending against oxidization (caused by free radicals, which can fade color) and making hair more manageable and glossy.
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