Hi my lovely ladies,
How have you all been doing? We all want to look our best and make an effort every day to look good. But do you know who the silent culprit is, who is ruining all your efforts and making you look ragged and aged? It’s none other than your city’s pollution. Health hazards aside, did you know that air pollution can cause your skin to age ten times faster? Smog, dirt and dust can all come in contact with the sun’s ultraviolet rays, creating free radicals that deplete oxygen in skin cells and hamper collagen production. These highly charged oxygen molecules are harmful to the skin and the body, attacking cells and damaging DNA. This can lead to wrinkles, rough patches and acne, and give skin a dull, grey appearance. Long-term exposure can also cause skin allergies, eczema and blood vessel damage. Therefore, without further ado, let’s get straight into the ways through which you can protect your skin from the harmful pollution.
Forgetting SPF is a sin
Sunscreen, sunscreen and sunscreen – this is a word that should be in your routine just like brushing your teeth. Rainy day, cloudy day, sunny day – always remember that the UV rays will cause free radicals due to pollution even if there is no blaring sun. SPF will protect your skin from the harmful effects of pollution, form a barrier and prevent wrinkles and even skin cancer.
Hydration is the key
If you haven’t already been harped on about the benefits of drinking water, let me reiterate. As you already know, water hydrates the skin, boosts cell growth, improves skin elasticity, helps in circulation and reduces dark circles. The main weapon of pollution is dehydrating your skin and ageing it out. Therefore, to battle it, drink plenty of water, have water-based fruits, and flush the harmful toxins out of your body.
Double it up with moisturisation
Hydration is important not only internally but also externally. A good moisturiser will form a protective barrier on your skin and minimise the effects of all the harmful toxins and pollutants. Also, it will counter the dehydrating action caused by the free radicals which cause burns and wrinkles. Load up on light, SPF infused moisturiser for daytime and a heavy cream based moisturiser for the night time.
Keep your skin squeaky clean
With the amount of exposure that we face every day to pollution and ultraviolet rays, cleansing has never been more important for your skin. Dry skinned beauties should stock up on cream/gel based cleansers whereas oily skinned girls should go for foam-based ones. If simple cleansing doesn’t work, you can always double cleanse; first using oil based ones to remove makeup and impurities and then the second one to deep clean.
Don’t forget to exfoliate
Exfoliation is as important as cleansing when it comes to battling pollution. It is the dead, impure cell accumulation that causes your skin to look patchy and haggard. Always include a deep clean up with exfoliation once or twice a week either using physical explant or chemical one to get blemish free, protect skin.
Load up on antioxidants
The most effective way to fight free radicals is to balance them with lots of antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent free radical activity and support healthy skin. To help protect your skin from pollutants, use a day serum containing antioxidants after cleansing in the morning and do the same at night with a night serum to bolster the repair process. Vitamins C and E are especially helpful in this regard. These antioxidants are present in all kinds of foods, like fruits, vegetables, seafood and oils. There are many different antioxidants good for the skin. Vitamin C helps in keeping the skin fleshy and plump. It is found in whole grains, apples, oranges and all other citrus fruits. Vitamin E protects the cell membranes from devastation, they are found in wheat germ oil, mustard, spinach, broccoli and peanut butter.
Get that Omega 3 fatty acid
Omega 3 boosts the protection of the skin. These essential fatty acids help to develop lipid-based cell membranes that transport water and essential nutrients. These lipids form an oil shield on the skin that prevents the skin from the harm of ultraviolet rays and pollutants. Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are best for the skin. Omega 6 is found in many foods like eggs, chicken, meat, grains, seeds and cooking oils. It is difficult to obtain Omega 3. It is found in cold water fish like trout, salmon, oysters and in walnuts, kidney beans and spinach. It is advisable to take Omega 3 supplements to improve the health of the skin. It also helps to improve the skin tone internally.
DIY masks to the rescue
Try a daily dose of DIY mask to hydrate and replenish as well as protect your skin. Always make sure to use ingredients like lemon, turmeric, tomatoes and honey as these are loaded with the antioxidants required to fight the free radicals and will give you instantly brightened and rejuvenated skin.
Cover it up
It is also physically important to protect your skin, especially in harsh pollution and weather conditions. Always carry an umbrella when heading out in the day. Cover up your face with a scarf, wear bright oversized sunnies, which will give you both fashion and protection and wear full sleeved clothes as much as possible when exposing yourself to pollution.
Don’t forget to get a good night’s sleep
For the regeneration of protection enhancing collagen in your skin, a good night’s sleep is required. That is the time when all your skin cells will renew and repair and get ready to protect you the next day. Therefore, hit the sack early just for the sake of delaying those fine lines and wrinkles caused by pollution.
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