Why Pollution is Harmful to Your Skin and How to Protect It

In today’s time, we not only feel the effect of pollution in our lungs but also on our skin; in fact, we feel its presence on our skin too. Pollution creates a harmful impact on our skin, but the important thing is how we know which steps we should take to prevent its impact or lower the risk of concerns caused by pollution, such as allergies, dryness, acne, and uneven skin tone. This guide will give you complete awareness about the effect of pollution on our skin and how we can deal with it.

Harmful Impacts of Pollution on Skin

Pollution is not limited to harmful gases or dust particles only. It also contains hazardous substances like  UV rays, industrial chemicals, traffic smoke, and ozone. These particles are so small that they enter our skin easily and damage the skin cells or layers, which causes a lot of skin-related concerns. Some of them are mentioned below:

Oxidative Stress: Pollution generates free radicals and ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) on the skin, which damage the antioxidant shields of our skin. Due to this, the skin concerns such as wrinkles, pigmentation, acne, and dryness increase.

Premature Aging: Due to Prolonged exposure to pollution, it results in fine lines, sagging, and dullness. Pollution directly degrades the collagen, which shows signs of premature aging.

Inflammation & Diseases: The impact of pollution makes the skin barrier weak, which causes allergic reactions (like eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis), acne, and hyperpigmentation.

Disturb skin microbiome: Pollution promotes the growth of harmful bacteria, making skin infections common.

Damage Skin Barrier: It breaks the natural skin barrier, causing loss of hydration and irritation.  

How to Protect Our Skin from Harmful Pollution

If you are overexposed to pollution daily, then it can deteriorate your skin’s health.

• It slows down the regeneration of cells.
  
• The skin loses its natural glow, softness, and elasticity.
  
• Prolonged exposure leads to the risk of pigmentation, wrinkles, and even skin cancer.          

Prevention Steps to Protect Your Skin from Harmful Pollution 

Here are some of the effective and easy steps mentioned that you can follow in your daily routine to prevent the effects of pollution on your skin.      

Cleaning is a Must
Start and end your daily life with a proper skin cleaning with a gentle cleanser or body wash.  This will remove all the dirt, dust, and pollutants from your skin. Make sure to cleanse your skin twice a day; it will eliminate all the impurities from your skin.

Use antioxidant-rich products
If your skin care products contain vitamin C, vitamin E, niacinamide, or green tea, then it is good for your skin. These antioxidants neutralize the damage caused to your skin from pollution and repair the skin.

Hydration and Moisturizing
Dry skin may become more sensitive due to the impact of pollution. You can use a hydration moisturizer, such as Skya Ultra Hydrating Moisturizer, which improves the hydration level in your skin and also restores the skin barrier.

Sun Protection is Non-Negotiable
UV rays double the effects of pollution, so don’t forget to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF more than 30 before stepping out.

Include Barrier Boosing Products in your skincare routine
Select those products that are formulated with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, and botanical extracts. This provides a shield to your skin and helps to repair it.

Avoid over-exfoliation
Over-exfoliating may damage your natural skin’s protective barrier, leading to redness, irritation, and frequent breakouts. So, exfoliate your skin 1-2 times a week.

Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle includes an antioxidant-rich, balanced diet, proper hydration, and a good sleep cycle. It not only helps your skin to keep it strong internally and but also helps your skin to repair faster.

Conclusion

Living in the city of Dubai with its heavy traffic and high pollution rates, skin care has become a top priority for all dwellers in the city. The pollution due to dust storms, construction dust, and vehicle emissions impacts the skin barrier, and that is why it has become a necessity to take care of the skin using some kind of skin care products. With all the toxic-free skincare products being successfully approved by a dermatologist, Skya Arabia skincare has a product range that is specifically created to fit every individual in Dubai, so you can keep your skin healthy, glowing, and free of pollution in your fast-paced city life.

Frequently Asked Questions on Why Pollution is Harmful to Your Skin and How to Protect It

Question 1. How does pollution damage the skin?

Answer: The fine particles and chemicals present in the pollution enter the skin and generate free radicals. These free radicals damage the skin barrier and cause wrinkles, pigmentation, acne, and dryness. Regular exposure leaves the sign of premature aging on your skin, even at a young age, and makes allergic reactions common.

Question 2. How to deal with pollution in daily life?

Answer: Gentle cleanse your skin daily in the morning and night, apply an antioxidant serum or cream, use a hydrating moisturizer, and make sure to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen. It is also recommended for gentle exfoliation weekly, along with a balanced diet and hydration.

Question 3. Are Skya Arabia’s products helpful in pollution defence?

Answer: Yes, Skya’s products contain antioxidants, hydrating agents, and barrier-repairing ingredients. Their creams and serums not only protect the skin from polluting elements, but also bring a natural glow. The Skya Arabia’s products are designed based on dermatologically tested formulas, without parabens or sulfates, which make them safe and effective for all skin types.

Question 4. How to protect your skin from pollution if you have sensitive skin?

Answer: Sensitive skin easily gets affected by pollution, leading to redness, itchiness, or inflammation.  Always go for gentle and fragrance-free products like skya.ae skin care products, which provide a wide range of products that are formulated with high-quality ingredients and suit skin types, including sensitive skin. Apart from this, avoid harsh scrubs and sulphate-based cleansers. Don’t forget to keep your skin hydrated and to apply sunscreen before stepping out.