Hey Betty, I’ve just moved to London and I’ve heard the pollution can cause breakouts. What can I do to prevent them?
Ellie B, 25
Being exposed to pollution is (unfortunately) inevitable, especially if you live in a city. We often hear about the effect breathing in pollution can have on our overall health, but what about our skin? I consulted Victoria Schofield, educator at Dermalogica and expert in all-things-skin, “We’re seeing more and more research linking air pollution to skin damage as a result of the pollution particles entering the skin through our pores.”, she explains.
Healthy skin relies on its barrier to protect against sensitivity and keep in moisture (yep, that means the barrier is integral to dewiness). “Environmental pollutants cause damage to the skin’s protective barrier and reduce its self-repair mechanism.” – according to Victoria, this can lead to sensitivity, dehydration, breakouts and uneven skin tone, as well as – brace yourself – premature ageing.
But don’t pack your bags for the countryside just yet. You can protect your skin from pollution just like you do with sun damage (SPF, daily. No exceptions). Victoria recommends doubling up on cleansing to remove toxins, “using an oil-based product for your first cleanse will help lift pollutants from the skin” she explains, “then for your second cleanse, you can actually clean the skin with a cleanser suited to your skin”. Top tip: vitamins C and E are antioxidants – look for skincare products boasting these as ingredients.
With Treatwell, you can book beauty online at all your favourite salons – simple, hassle-free, and you can do it on the go.