How Does Pollution Affect The Skin?

Pollution is the act of contamination of the earth's environment that hurts human health, quality of life, or the natural ecosystem.

The significant types of pollution are water, air, noise, and soil pollution. The World Health Organization defines air pollution as contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.

Air pollutants can significantly impact the human skin, and living organisms are exposed to them regularly. Air pollutants come in solids, liquids, gases, or particulate matter, all absorbed directly into the subcutaneous tissue through hair follicles and sweat/sebaceous glands.

Extrinsic skin aging and inflammatory or allergic conditions can be caused by air pollutants that cause severe alterations of the normal functions of lipids, deoxyribonucleic acid, or proteins in the human skin.

Effects of Pollution on the Skin

1. Skin irritation and inflammation

Pollution can cause skin irritation and inflammation. This is because irritants in the air, such as ozone, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide, can trigger allergic reactions on the skin. Exposure to these pollutants can cause redness, dryness, and itching. In some cases, it can also lead to eczema or psoriasis.

2. Premature aging

Reactive oxidants and free radicals from pollution cause oxidative stress and inhibit antioxidant mechanisms. The chemical substances come constant with the skin cells and tend to increase transepidermal water loss, degeneration of connective tissue in the skin, and upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases-1 and 3, which degrade collagen and elastic fibers.

3. Damage to the skin's barrier function

Frequent exposure to pollution and UV rays can damage the natural lipid balance and increase the TWL of the skin cells.

Pollutants damage the skin barrier by inducing oxidative stress. Even though human skin is a biological shield against pro-oxidative chemicals and physical air pollutants, prolonged or repeated exposure to high levels of these pollutants may have serious adverse effects on the skin.

4. Pigmentation & Acne

The primary compounds that makeup PM 2.5 are nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, which are responsible for its formation. These irritants can contribute to the development of skin acne and skin pigmentation.

Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure. So here, some prevention methods are described below for pollution.

1. Cleansing and Moisturizing

Frequent contact with pollution people needs a double cleansing process. First, cleanse your face with a makeup removal pad or micellar water.

Then use a gentle cleanser to remove the remaining dirt, grime, or pollutants on the skin.

Antioxidants are available in moisturizers and sun protection. In addition, using antioxidants can help neutralize free radical damage to the skin.

So, go for an organic moisturizer infused with vitamins C and E to increase the antioxidant levels in your body.

2. Appropriate Sun Protection

Please remember to apply sunscreen. The sunscreen protects your skin from UV damage and prevents the penetration of harmful and smog particles into the skin.

3. Avoiding Prolonged Exposure

• Avoid outing
• Reducing the effective inhaled dose of air pollution
• Avoiding outdoor activity when and where air pollutant levels are higher
• Cover your skin with scarfs, gloves, and a hat to protect from the UV rays
• Going for some organic anti-pollution products is essential when you are outside.

Conclusion

It's becoming increasingly important to protect our skin from outdoor pollution. From CO2 and UV radiation to explosive compounds and oxides, our skin hasn't been immune.

So, let's take care of ourselves. First, stay on top of your skincare routine; your doctor has the best advice for conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis, and other skin problems.

Let's work towards healthier, happier skin!