Why you need to Pollution-proof your skin (plus WIN)

Anti-pollution is the hottest topic in skincare around the world at the moment.

The awareness towards anti-pollution skincare initially started in Asia where many of the world’s most polluted cities are situated, think Shanghai and Beijing in China, New Dehli & Bangalore in India and Karachi in Pakistan.

However, pollution is affecting more and more cities around the world each year. The levels of pollution are rising not only in developed countries, but in developing countries too. Even “rural” areas, such as the continent of Africa, are beginning to see an increase in air pollution due to the rise of coal-burning power plants, wasteland fires and industrial factories located on the outskirts of cities.

Types of Pollution

Pollution is not only confined to outdoor air pollution – petrol fumes, industrial chemicals, smog – but it also includes extreme weather, light pollution, ozone depletion, environmental hazards & UV radiation from the sun.

Indoor pollution is also something to consider. Air conditioners, indoor heaters, fumes from coal & wood fires, gas emissions & blue light all contribute towards the pollution that your skin is affronted by daily.

How Pollution affects you

Since the skin is an organ in direct contact with air pollutants it will definitely be affected by pollution. Besides compromising your complexion, pollution contains various chemicals that are severely harmful to your skin. These are known as Particle Matter or PM.

The major skin enemy is PM2.5, a microscopic pollutant particles that measure less than two and a half microns. These not only clog pores, but also weaken the bodies natural defenses (provided by keratin & collagen) and penetrate down to the epidermis where they damage the skin’s structure, speeding up cellular ageing, Oxides of nitrogen, ozone, heavy metals & pollen all cause oxidative stress on your skin & hair.

Studies comparing urban & rural dwellers have found that those exposed to higher levels of traffic pollution in cities have more visible signs of ageing in the form of hyper-pigmentation (dark spots) & wrinkles than those living in the country.

Another important factor to take into account is that women living in areas of poor air quality have been shown to have compromised hydration levels & barrier function in their skin which is possibly why pollution can aggravate various other pre-existing skin issues & diseases, such as acne, contact dermatitis, eczema & chemical depigmentation (white spots of skin that no longer contain pigment). This is due to the blocking of pores and irritation caused to the skin by the chemicals, toxins & solvents in the environment – those with sensitive skins are particularly susceptible.

How to Pollution-proof your skin

Follow these 5 steps to reduce the effects of Pollution on your skin:

1. Prevent

If you want to stop pollution stealing your sparkle, invest in a targeted anti-pollution product range. These are generally packed with potent antioxidants to neutralise the damaging free radicals caused by pollution.

2. Cleanse

Make cleansing your face properly a priority as soon as you get home to ensure you aren’t leaving damaging toxins, dirt & PM sinking into your skin. If you leave it until right before you go to bed, that’s several extra hours you’re allowing pollutant particles to wreak havoc on your skin. Try the African Extracts Hydrating Creamy Cleanser or Gentle Refining Polish

3. Repair

Reduce water loss & improve hydration in your skin by using a daily moisturiser on slightly damp skin. You might also like to invest in a hydrating serum. Try the Triple Action Serum from African Extracts

4. Protect

As always it’s important to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun (another form of pollution). Wear a daily SPF of 15 or higher. Try the Intensive Day Cream with SPF 15 from African Extracts.

5. Restore

Strengthen your skin’s barrier to reduce pollutant penetration by using a daily moisturiser with anti-oxidant benefits to replenish anti-oxidant reserves & reduce inflammation in the skin.

The great news is that this is South African skincare brand doing all they can to help us in the fight against the damages pollution does to our skin. African Extracts ADVANTAGE range of anti-ageing, anti-pollution products help to protect skin from pollution, premature ageing and the ageing effects of environmental stress.

The proudly South African range of skin care products contains locally sourced ingredients, such as Rooibos, that is well known for it’s anti-oxidant properties that help to fight the free radicals in the skin and replenish anti-oxidant reserves while reducing inflammation.

I’m so pleased to have partnered with this brand to bring you an awesome giveaway…

One lucky Becoming you reader will WIN a hamper of African Extracts ADVANTAGE skin care products worth R1500 to help their skin fight the ageing effects of pollution.

To enter complete the form below and then answer the following question in the comments section below..

ADVANTAGE Protects my skin from …

For an extra entry you can tweet your answer with the hashtag #MyADVANTAGE

Disclosure: 5 & 7

Kathryn Rossiter

Kathryn is a South African lifestyle blogger and mom of 2 who has been blogging daily for almost 7 years! She writes about travel, health, beauty, fashion, decor and family... but not food (unless it's food she's eaten made by someone else) as she is a hopeless cook. She only wakes up early for 2 things... a red-eye flight to somewhere exotic and early morning game drives. She has just finished an extensive home renovation and would prefer to never see another box again. She's never met a chocolate or glass of bubbles that she didn't like!