Pollution is one of your sneakiest enemies. Its damage to Mother Nature is no longer to be proven, but did you know that it also attacks your skin? We give you all the tips to beat this invisible adversary and keep your skin sparkling like a galloping unicorn in a meadow when spring arrives.
An explosive mixture
Pollution is a clever cocktail of fine particles, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, a shot of benzene and whatnot. These particles are so microscopic that they are able to penetrate the skin through the pores and cause inflammation, hyperpigmentation, premature skin aging and increased sensitivity. All this floating quietly in the air with an invisibility cloak on the back! In short, you have here a perfect pack for grayish complexion.
One might think that the danger is only in town with road traffic, but it is also found in the countryside with agriculture and industrial production… and even at home if you don't have enough ventilation. And you who thought that hibernating in front of Netflix was safe... So open your windows, put on a little relaxing music (not too loud for the neighbors), make yourself comfortable on your sofa and carefully read the following advice (you can even take notes).
The last bad news (after it's over I promise) is that in summer, it's even worse! Pollution contains nitrogen oxide (that produced by road traffic for example), which reacts with other chemicals and hydrocarbons in sunlight to form ozone. With the heat, the molecules stagnate at human height causing irritation of the lungs, nose, eyes but also come to deposit on your skin, the deceivers! These molecules will interact with the sebum, oxidize it and alter its protective effect. In short: pollution is more stressful than a Zoom call with more than 3 people.
So what do we do Jamie?
Well yes, it's all very well explanations with great reinforcements of scientific words, but what can we do? You already know that you can act yourself, at your level on the quality of the environment, but concerning your skin, there are also several ingredients that you can integrate into your routine to protect yourself from daily micro-aggressions. .
Aloe Vera, a super ally
We've already told you about it and it's still relevant! The leaves of aloe, which belongs to the cactus family, are filled with water in the form of a gelatinous substance. Say like that, it's not very sexy, and yet this magic gel has much more qualities than your elementary school crush (the one who broke your heart after having cheated on you with Samantha, the first minx of the class). It contains omegas, antioxidant vitamins (A, C, E…), minerals such as zinc, and is suitable for all skin types: acneic, dry, combination…
During the peaks of pollution and heat (but not only!), you can use a light care based on Aloe Vera . In the morning before starting your day, its application will form a protective barrier against free radicals and hydrate you without greasy effect. You can prolong the effect of the treatment with our protective mist enriched with Aloe Vera and hemp oil. Very versatile, it wakes you up gently (well, set an alarm anyway), sets your makeup, and much more. It fits in your bag or, for the more adventurous, in the back pocket of your jeans. Like Indiana Jones and his lasso in an urban jungle, draw your mist and spray it on your face (close your eyes!) at the slightest enemy attack, aka pollution, sun, sweat, crowded metro, burning asphalt, and the desire for a nap at 2 p.m.
In our protective mist , the antibacterial properties of Aloe combine with Hemp oil, rich in omega-3 and omega-6, to fight against dehydration and inflammation that pollution can cause and bring you an effect revitalizing, softening and firming.
Protect yourself from the sun
The formula is simple: pollution + sun + heat = triple pain. To avoid the effects of the rays on your skin (oxidation, premature skin aging, hyperpigmentation), apply sunscreen every day. To be effective, it must protect against UVB (which gives you sunburn) but also UVA (which penetrates the skin more deeply). You may still have the bad childhood memory of your mother giving you a good layer of sunscreen before you could go swimming. Can you still see yourself on the beach, with your armbands, your bucket hat and your dolphin-print swimsuit, slathered in white cream? Today, fortunately, you can find face sunscreens with a lighter texture and that do not leave a white film for daily use. Even if you only expose yourself to the sun for a few minutes a day, it is essential to protect yourself!
Clean your skin well
It may seem obvious, and yet it sometimes happens to skip this essential step. So a little courage after a long day (see evening, we know you), we take some time to:
- face your reflection in the mirror, the most complicated step, but we've all been there!
- grab a mild facial cleanser (we resist the urge to use soap, way too aggressive for your pretty face)
- massage in circular movements in a clockwise direction (or the other way around it also works) and above all, do not rub (you are not doing the dishes).
-
rinse well and you're done!
Cleansing and make-up removal are essential steps to get rid of all those bad particles for your skin that have accumulated during your hectic adventures.
You are what you eat
Last tip (and we'll leave you alone) you can also include in your meals foods rich in antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals to prevent them from doing damage. To explain simply, it's like when you leave your guacamole outside and it turns brown. This change in appearance is the result of oxidation, caused by free radicals in the air. If you had put a little lemon in your guacamole, it would have kept its green color longer (it's not Top Chef who wants). Indeed, lemon contains vitamin C, a natural antioxidant! If you are not very citrusy, opt for kiwis, apricots, or even broccoli and spinach. You can even try to mix it all up if you're not afraid.
