Summer is here and if you’re anything like us, you’re ready to spend it outside and soaking up the sun.

Watch out though - spending more time outside means your skin is exposed to harsh environmental factors for longer, especially if you live in a city. Along with UV rays, air pollutants can cause damage to the skin, and result in irritation, dryness, and premature ageing. 

In this post, we’ll look at pollution protection skincare and actionable steps you can take to protect your skin this summer - your golden-hour glow awaits!

How does pollution affect the skin?

Normally, the skin naturally produces antioxidants that neutralise free radicals before they cause damage. Once small pollution particles enter the skin, however, they generate more free radicals while depleting the skin of its antioxidants.  

In short, pollutants penetrate the skin and throw it off balance.

This can have several undesirable effects, such as:

• Dull complexion
• Wrinkles
• Sensitive skin
• Irritation
• Dry and taut skin

Can your skincare routine help?

What is pollution protection skincare?

You might have seen or heard the term ‘anti-pollution skincare’ cropping up online or at your favourite beauty shops, but can your skincare products really protect against pollutants?

There’s little research to support anti-pollution skincare and it’s unlikely that a product can completely protect your skin from environmental factors. Since it’s an unregulated term, it’s best not to take it at face value.

That said, if you dig a little deeper, you might find products with ingredients that protect and repair the skin from environmental damage, including pollution. 

Our formulas, for example, are rich in antioxidants that protect your skin from free radicals. We also use plant stem cells, which repair and rejuvenate skin that has been damaged or exposed to harmful environmental factors.

5 ways to help protect your skin from pollution

With the right steps and ingredients, you can create a pollution-protection skincare routine that helps you maintain healthy skin this summer. 

1. Wash off the grime by double cleansing

Oily skin, makeup, and SPF can trap pollutants on the surface of the skin, which generates free radicals and can lead to sensitivity. The solution is simple – get ‘em off!

Double cleansing is an effective way to make sure both surface-level grime and deeper dirt are removed. Use an oil cleanser, followed by a face wash (or the Repair + Protect Essence Toner in our double cleanse method), to penetrate deeper into the pores.

2. Unclog pores with a twice-weekly exfoliation

To detox the skin, you can exfoliate twice a week. This not only helps get rid of stubborn grime but also removes dead skin cells to allow for the production of new ones.

(Note: we don’t recommend exfoliating if you have sensitive skin)

3. Keep your skin barrier strong with a moisturiser

Hydrated skin is healthy skin. By regularly moisturising, you strengthen your skin’s barrier, which minimises the potential for air pollutants to get in there and cause damage.

The magic ingredient in our Replenishing Moisturizer, Orpheus Flower plant Stem cells, facilitates the skin’s regeneration and boosts hydration, for a strong and healthy skin barrier.

4. Remedy the skin with antioxidant-rich products 

You can think of antioxidants as your skin’s bodyguard or bouncer. They bind to free radicals before they enter the skin and start to wreak havoc.

Effective antioxidants for protecting the skin against free radical damage, include:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E

These are potent in many of the natural ingredients we use, such as cold-pressed Blackberry Seed Oil and Rosehip Oil. 

5. Replenish the skin with a mask

After a long day in the sunny city, it’s a good idea to give your skin the ingredients it needs to recover. 

Using a mask with active ingredients can be an effective way to protect, hydrate, and replenish the skin – in other words, build on all the steps you’ve already done!

We designed our Purify + Nourish face mask with Bulgarian Rose Stem Cells, to promote healthy skin microbiome and fight impurities and redness. Why not keep it in the fridge, so you can give your skin a cooling and nourishing treat?

Final Thoughts

Summer throws a lot at our skin – sweat, SPF, and UV rays – and when you live in a city, pollution is another factor to weary of.

While ‘anti-pollution skincare’ might not be more of a marketing ploy, there are ingredients and steps you can take to create a skincare routine that helps protect your skin from pollution.