What Is The Truth Behind Anti-Pollution Skin Care Products?
Flooding of anti-pollution skin care products demands fact checking on how pollution effects skin health and whether products under anti-pollution skin care brand worth the money they demand.
How pollution effects skin?
Dr. Adam Mamelak, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin, Texas, said that pollutants pass through skin cells membranes and diffuse into the body. He compares uptake of pollutants by skin to inhaling the polluted matter by body.
Different studies done on effect of pollution on skin prove that overexposure to pollution results in depletion of antioxidants and growth of free radicals. It further causes inflammation and skin impairment like premature skin aging, hives, acne and eczema.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), following are the main outdoor pollutants
• nitrogen dioxide
• sulphur dioxide
• carbon monoxide
• particulate matter (PM)
• heavy metals
Also, EPA sees car emissions as a major cause of pollutants adding nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulphur dioxide to the already polluted environment.
How do anti-pollution cosmetics protect skin?
According to experts, it is a topic of research as whatever information is shared about value of anti-pollution skin care products is given by marketing companies. But it is certain that skin care cosmetics when mixed with anti-pollution ingredients can really benefit users.
It is anti-pollution skin care products work
- Antioxidants
Antioxidants can prevent free radicals from damaging your skin cells that this has been proved researches. In studies, it is found that using antioxidant serums twice a day for two weeks after getting laser treatment can reduce pollution linked dark spots to a large extent.
- Moisturizers
Moisturizing strengthens the skin barrier to prevent air pollutants from penetrating the skin cells and causing oxidative stress. Experts recommend ceramides and hyaluronic acid for moisturizing skin.
- Physical UV blockers
UV rays can explode collagen and elastic fibers leading to sagging of the skin and formation of wrinkles. Also, it can increase the risk of skin cancer. But a mineral sunscreen preferably titanium dioxide or zinc oxide could make a physical barrier against UV rays. Buy a sunscreen with SPF 30 or above.
- Probiotics and prebiotics
Pollution can alter the balance of the bacteria and microorganisms found on the skin. Called microbiome, they aid in maintaining skin health. But they can be saved from pollutants with the help of a microbiome skin care.
- Other less-proven ingredients
Malachite is the compound that can bind to heavy metals and decrease oxidative stress on skin. But experts are of the opinion that it requires further study before any opinion is made or data shared about anti-pollution skin care products.
How to use anti-pollution skin care products?
• Here’re a few tips to guide on how to take advantage of anti-pollution skin care products
• Cleanse your skin of the particle load you have accumulated over the time
• Take a good anti-pollution product and apply it to your skin twice day but wash your skin before using the serum
• Moisturize your skin twice a day to keep it hydrated all the day
• Always sunscreen of SPF 30 or above to keep your skin save from UV light
• Exfoliate your skin to improve barrier function
• Lead a healthy life by taking a healthy diet, exercising and proper sleep
