We all know how important it is to protect our skin from the suns strong UV rays, but did know these aren’t the only environmental aggressors that are damaging to our skin. Air pollution and other irritants we encounter every day can wreak havoc on our skin.
Australia is a country of many and varied environments. This means we’re all exposed to pollutants and other chemical threats in different ways, and so is our skin. These environmental factors work by creating oxidative damage in the skin, which breaks down collagen and cause damage to our skin barrier. A damaged skin barrier can contribute to some of the most common skin concerns, including acne, irritation, and premature skin ageing.
WHAT IS POLLUTION?
Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. Many things that are useful to people produce pollution, such as industrial emissions, cigarette smoke, blue light, and road traffic, particularly from diesel engines. These pollutants which are emitted into the atmosphere, can come in the form of soot, dust or smoke, or even smaller specs, which cannot be seen by the naked eye. When you combine these factors and how often we encounter these daily, you realise the effect of pollution and how much our skin has to contend with.
HOW DOES IT AFFECT OUR SKIN?
The human skin, and mainly the upper layer of the epidermis, plays the role of a barrier, but is also one of the first and major targets of air pollutants. Although it acts as a biological shield against air pollutants, the prolonged or repetitive exposure to high levels of these pollutants can have a profound negative effect. Air pollution contains microscopic contaminants, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which help produce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), or “free radicals.” These strip the skin of barrier lipids, which help retain moisture and keep out dirt and other impurities. A compromised skin barrier can lead to increased skin sensitivity, discomfort and premature signs of skin aging, especially pigmentation issues. The good news is that skin, when healthy, is a pretty efficient filter of what’s good and what’s bad to help you maintain a healthy glow.
But there are also a number of steps you can take to protect your skin:
▪ It is important to cleanse your skin both morning and night to remove any dirt and unseen toxins left behind by pollution. DMK have a range of cleansers that are great for lifting away dirt while hydrating the skin. Speak to your therapist about which cleansers are right for your skin type.
▪ Epitoxyl is a great product for protecting your skin from the effects of pollution. It acts like a magnet and works to draw impurities out of the skin, turning them into a vaporous gas in three minutes. Ideal for those who suffer from acne and congested skin and for skin exposed to high levels of environmental toxins. It is excellent for citybased people, smokers, drinkers and people on heavy medication.
▪ Application of antioxidants is beneficial to help fight free radicals on the skin’s surface layers. We recommend using our Direct Delivery Vitamin C serum. This is a sophisticated serum used to stimulate collagen production, suppress pigmentation formation, protect against environmental damage as well as regenerate healthy skin.
▪ We also recommend taking our EFA Ultra supplements as they are another great source of antioxidants. With a powerful blend of omega-3, 6, 7 and 9, this supplement has more than 190 nutrients and bioactive substances all entirely sourced from plant-based ingredients. Coconut oil, mekabu seaweed extract, sea buckthorn and evening primrose work to soothe and nourish the body, increase water levels in the skin and improve its structural integrity and barrier function.
Unfortunately, air pollutants aren’t the only pollution to worry about when it comes to skin; UV rays and blue light from the sun can also cause premature aging. We always emphasize the importance of incorporating sunscreen into your everyday skincare routine. Our Soleil Defence SPF 50+ is a water-resistant, non-greasy sunscreen, which doesn’t just aid in the protection from sunburn without clogging the skin, it works to help prevent premature ageing and pigmentation.
