While the number one motivation behind your skincare routine might be anti-aging prevention, there’s another underlying issue that could be to blame for the lack of firmness, dark spots, and inflammation in your skin: pollution.
The importance of wearing SPF and providing a barrier from the sun’s rays might be the most well-known environmental aggressor that can impact your skin, but the truth is that there are a variety of other factors that could be wreaking havoc on your complexion, like poor air quality.
From premature aging to cancer, research has linked poor air quality to a slew of problems as oxidants in pollution break down your skin’s collagen and damage your skin’s DNA, which can lead to wrinkles and a host of other issues down the line.
While wearing SPF is imperative to protecting the skin, it won’t combat the harmful effects of pollution–and that’s where pollution fighting skincare products that are rich in antioxidants come in. From the moment you wash and cleanse your skin you can create a protective barrier to keep the harmful effects of pollution at bay, which will lead to a healthy, glowing complexion. Check out thebest products for cleansing, protecting, and preventing damage caused by pollution, blue light, and infrared radiation below.
Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence, $68; nordstrom. com
This concentrated essence provides anti-pollution and anti-oxidation protection while reducing the look of fine lines and improving skin elasticity. The Kombucha helps provide protection from skin-damaging pollutants and free radicals like smoke and smog.
Nexxus City Shield Sampoo, $9. 19; target. com
Nexxus City Shield Conditioner, $10. 29; target. com
Protect your hair from harsh city aggressors like UV rays, dust, air conditioning, and humidity by creating a protective barrier that will leave hair resilient and replenished from the detrimental elements you may encounter, simply on your daily commute.
Murad City Skin Duo, $135; murad. com
A daily dose of pollution from cars and smog, blue light from electronic devices, and infrared radiation from stoves and microwaves can accelerate signs of aging, while antioxidants, (including Marrubium Plant Stem Cells), work to neutralize pollutants and strengthen your skin’s barrier as you sleep. Shield skin during the day with City Skin® Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ and detoxify and revitalize skin overnight with City Skin® Overnight Detox Moisturizer.
La Prairie White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion Serum, $530, laprairie. com
La Prairie White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire, $695; laprairie. com
Following years of research to find the single most powerful brightening active, Lumidose was identified by the scientists at La Prairie. Exclusive to White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire, this patented molecule is the most effective in supporting the inhibition of melanin production.
Dark spots seem to fade, as if banished by a powerful ray of light. For best results, use with the serum, which helps fade the appearance of dark spots, diminish redness, and shield skin from pollution, reducing effects of greyness caused by environmental aggressors. The serum contains polymers which form a protective layer on the skin as they seek out and isolate particles and heavy metals from air pollution that settle on the skin’s surface.
The Body Shop Japanese Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing Mask, $28; Thebodyshop-usa. com
The mask helps protect skin from the effects of pollution including cellular damage, dryness, inflammation, pigmentation, and premature skin aging. This creamy formula deeply purifies, gently exfoliates and liberates skin from the weekly build-up of city pollutants and everyday impurities.
SK-IIGenOptics Spot Essence, $225; sephora. com
This targeted face serum tackles visible and hidden age spots and provides protection against dry skin caused by environmental stress factors, like cold conditions, dry climates, pollen, and pollution.
DryBar Hot Toddy Heat UV Protectant, $30; sephora. com
UVA/UVB rays cause dryness and color fading, but you can protect your hair and shield it thanks to this lightweight lotion. Use on damp hair prior to blow-drying.
Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30+ PA+++, $42; sephora. com
Fight the signs of photoaging and defend against UV damage with this multi-tasking, lightweight formula that’s packed with antioxidant protection and formulated for year-round use.
AHAVA Mineral Radiance Cleansing Gel, $25; ultabeauty. com
This oil-free, sulfate-free cleansing gel purifies the skin and gently neutralizes irritation while creating a breathable shield on the skin’s surface to protect against environmental stressors. Rinse away impurities while fighting damage from pollution for fresh, luminous skin.
Chanel D-Pollution Essentiel Daily Protection Mist, $90; chanel. com
This daily mist will act as a protective veil, arming you against the harmful effects of pollution while offering three key actions: D-POLLUTE + D-STRESS + D-FEND. Together, they preserve the well-being and quality of skin leaving you with a radiant, hydrated, and soft complexion.
Sephora Collection Clay Mask, $8; sephora. com
This mask detoxifies and oxygenates while improvingdullness and uneven texture, dark spots, dryness, and uneven skin tone.
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF, $165; SkinCeuticals. com
This serum provides enhanced protection against atmospheric skin aging, environmental damage, and premature signs of agingcaused by free radicals from UVA/UVB, infrared radiation (IRA), and ozone pollution (O3).
Urban Decay All Nighter Pollution Protection Makeup Setting Spray, $34; ultabeauty. com
Zinc, magnesium, and copper protect skin against free radicals and shield against environmental damage and pollution while utilizing temperature control technology to lower the temperature of your makeup to help it last longer.
