Anti-Pollution Skincare: A Science Backed Approach

City living certainly has many advantages, but one of its harsh, hard-to-see realities may catch you -- and your skin -- completely off guard.

There is no getting around the reality that heavily-populated urban areas often have more air pollution than their rural counterparts. When microscopic flecks of smoke, soot, car exhaust, and chemicals land on your skin, and particularly your face, they can wreak havoc on the overall texture, tone, and tautness of your skin.

What is anti-pollution skincare?

Pollutants released into the air by cars, fires, construction sites, and chemical plants can create oxidative damage, trigger inflammation, and compromise the skin’s protective outer barrier causing problematic skin concerns. Long-term exposure to particulate matter in the air is strongly correlated with wrinkles, skin laxity, and other signs of premature aging.

Anti-pollution skincare is designed to strengthen and protect the skin from environmental pollutants caused by manufacturing byproducts, exhaust fumes, smog, and other contaminants. Even if you live in a rural environment, there is still the possibility of indoor pollutants such as off-gasses, tobacco smoke, and chemical cleaning products.

Studies on the impact of airborne pollution on skin underscore the importance of taking proactive measures. Pollutants inhaled or ingested target both the superficial and deep skin layers, causing molecular changes and a cascade of undesirable effects.

The causes of air pollution found in urban areas are the same ones found in the quiet countryside. The big difference is in the numbers.

Mobile sources

“Mobile pollution” or “traffic pollution” sources include the carbon monoxide, exhaust fumes, and nitrogen oxide that burning fuel generates from cars, buses, planes, trucks and trains. They are, by far, the largest contributor to air pollution in the United States. However, the impact often isn’t felt in rural places like Mississippi where the total number of registered automobiles in 2018 was 840,700 statewide. Compare that to California where there are 7.8 million cars registered in Los Angeles County alone.

Stationary sources

Power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and factories emit large amounts of air pollution from a single location.

Area sources

Smaller sources of air pollution such as livestock, fertilizer use, cities, and wood-burning fireplaces may not be significant on their own but can be when considered collectively.

Natural sources

Natural sources of pollution such as wind-blown dust, wildfires, and volcanoes typically are one-time events that usually do not generate continual sources of pollution like some of the other sources mentioned above.

Some of the more common air pollutants that can have a negative impact on your skin include:

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Volatile Organic Compounds%20than%20outdoors.) are additive chemicals used extensively in the United States in both commercial and household products including gasoline, carpets, paints, cleaners, perfumes, deodorants, insect repellents and in the manufacturing of automobiles, electronics, computers, wood products, adhesives, dyes, rubber products, and plastics. These airborne chemicals can wear down our skin’s collagen and cause inflammation, both of which can lead to more wrinkled, dry, and damaged skin.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons are a group of chemicals found naturally in coal, crude oil, gas, wood, and tobacco and are released into the air when these products are burned. Barbecuing or smoking food over a grill greatly increases the amount of PAHs in the food. Some PAHs may affect the eyes, liver and kidneys in addition to your skin.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Particulate Matter accounts for all hazardous particles, both solid and liquid, that are suspended in the air including dust, soot, smoke, and chemicals.

Tobacco smoke

Cigarette smoke is packed with more than 7,000 chemicals including 250 that are poisonous. Some of the toxins in cigarette smoke damage collagen and elastin, the fibrous components of your skin that help keep it firm and supple. Exposure to tobacco smoke speeds up the aging of your skin and makes you more susceptible to wrinkles.

Common air pollutants that have negative impacts on the skin include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and tobacco smoke. These pollutants activate inflammatory processes and disrupt the skin’s microbiome, leading to an increase in skin conditions and disorders such as:

Eczema/atopic dermatitis

One analysis suggests a causal connection between airborne pollutants and inflammatory skin conditions like atopic dermatitis or eczema, a very common inflammatory skin condition. The study found that pollutants weaken the protective shield provided by the outer layer of a person’s skin, leaving it vulnerable to different types of bacteria, allergens, and irritants.

Acne

An epidemiological study conducted in Beijing in 2016 found that exposure to higher levels of traffic-related and industry-related pollutants triggered an increased number of visits to the dermatologist due to acne flare-ups.

Loose skin

Pollutants in the air don’t just land on the skin’s outer surface. Microscopic particles can seep into deeper layers of the skin causing a cellular-level breakdown that can lead to lost elasticity and firmness.

Premature lines and wrinkles

The same airborne particles that damage the skin’s elasticity can also contribute to crow’s feet, nasolabial folds, and fine wrinkles. Once your skin is damaged, it goes into repair mode causing enzymes to reabsorb damaged collagen. If you are suffering from too much inflammation, these same enzymes will remove more collagen that your skin can manufacture. This is when skin laxity, fine lines, and wrinkles can turn up.

Hyperpigmentation and melasma

Research shows that pollution is a risk factor for hyperpigmentation -- the dark spots or discoloration that can crop up on your face. Melanin is the substance that gives skin its color and is produced by cells called melanocytes. Air pollutants can push melanocytes into unexpected overdrive, releasing clusters of pigmentation that make facial skin look patchy and uneven.

Weakened skin barrier

Because chronic inflammation disrupts the outer skin barrier function, the skin loses its ability to remain hydrated and can take on a dry, lackluster appearance.

The pollution emitted by vehicles, factories, and other modern trappings can be absorbed through the pores and damage your skin in unexpected ways. When it comes to mitigating damage from ambient pollutants and boosting your skin’s natural defense mechanisms, your choice of skincare products makes a world of difference.

Protecting skin from pollution begins with effective products that minimize inflammation, defend against oxidative stress, and promote a healthy skin barrier function. Some of the key pollution-fighting skincare ingredients include antioxidants, peptides, ceramides, niacinamide, and mineral barriers such as zinc oxide that block UV rays. The best anti-pollution skincare regimen is formulated based on 47 factors about your lifestyle, living environment, and primary concerns.

After taking our PROVEN skincare quiz, you will receive a personalized cleanser, moisturizer, and night cream. The cleanser can cleanse your skin of pollution on the surface. The moisturizer with SPF can protect it from harmful ultraviolet rays. Finally, the night cream can repair damage while you sleep.

Take the PROVEN skin quiz for cutting-edge formulas that ward off these damaging effects and strengthen the skin barrier.