I believed that sun is the biggest enemy to my skin since my teenage years. Well, it’s true that sun damage can lead to wrinkles, dark spots, and even cancer. However, I recently found out my skin has a new enemy – air pollution. The bad news is it creates just as much damage like the sun. And the good news? We have solutions to protect our skin from the pollution.
Anyway, no matter what is it, if there’s something were to damage my skin, I’m ready to take it down.
How Air Pollution Affects Your Health
Air pollution is caused by harmful fine particles and dust in the air. Fine particulate matter(pm2.5) is measured to check outdoor pollution levels. PM means particular matter and 2.5 refers to the particles that are less than 2.5 micrometers which is finer than the human hair.
According to the data that the World Health Organization (WHO) released back in May 2018, air pollution levels are extremely high in many countries. It revealed that 90 percent of people breathe in highly polluted air and it might cause health problems in long-term. The result is particularly shocking to me because I live in Asia and over 90% of air pollution-related death happened mainly in Asia and Africa.
Air pollution could cause from minor health issues like excessive coughing and skin irritation to fatal health issues like heart diseases and lung cancer.
Air Pollution and Skin
First of all, air pollution triggers acne. It is a common skin condition that occurs during puberty. The fine particles and dust trapped inside the pores and get infected underneath our skin. In long terms, your pores become clogged and acne starts to develop. Make sure you start treating your acne right away, do not wait. Use the right product to treat your acne or seek help from a dermatologist if needed.
Besides, air pollution aggravates your sensitive skin. If you suffer from sensitive skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis, make sure you shield your skin away from air pollution. Air pollution makes these conditions worse, your skin might show symptoms like redness, itchiness, and swelling.
Last but not least, air pollution strip away your skin’s moisture and premature aging. Ozone (a harmful type of air pollutant) strips away vitamin E in your skin which is crucial for healthy skin. Your skin feels constantly dehydrated and loses its ability to retain moisture. This also leads to premature aging. Fine lines and wrinkles become more visible when your skin is dry and flaky.
With that being said, everyone should really incorporate at least one anti-pollution product in their skincare regime.
I have to admit that I was skeptical to try out anti-pollution skin care products first came out. I honestly thought this could be one of the marketing strategies. In addition, I don’t think I need this product. Even though the air quality is not superb, it’s not that bad either. Then I started seeing more and more anti-pollution products on the shelf, so I decided to try it out myself. Now, I’m obsessed with anti-pollution products particularly anti-pollution mask. Mask is effective and anyone can add one to their skin regime anytime.
The Body Shop Japanese Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing Mask
The Body Shop has come out with a series of natural facial masks and it’s truly impressive. All the masks are cruelty-free and formulated without silicones, paraffins and mineral oil. This Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing Mask is infused with matcha green tea from Japan, dandelion extract and aloe vera from Mexico that purifies skin of impurities and environmental irritants.
Matcha is a potent antioxidant to skin that helps with anti-aging and dullness. Antioxidants protect your skin from oxidization and free radical production. On the other hand, dandelion extracts detoxify skin and refine your skin texture. Last but not least, aloe vera that has incredibly anti-inflammatory properties that calm and soothes your skin.
Smooth a layer of mask on your skin and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes. Lastly, rinse it thoroughly with water in circular motion to gently exfoliate your skin.
The texture of the mask is soft and easy to spread evenly on your face. When you first put it on, your skin might tingle a little. However, it will soon turn into a cooling sensation. I have dry and sensitive skin, but this doesn’t aggravate my skin at all. The fine particles inside the mask give my skin gently exfoliate my skin without causing any irritation. Skin feels detoxified, refreshed and smooth.
Jayjun Cosmetics Anti-Dust Therapy Mask
Koreans are aware of air pollution and pm2.5 matter that caused numerous skin problems. Thus, Jayjuncosmetics has released a couple of products that protect your skin from that. Jayjuncosmetics was founded by a group of plastic surgeons, dermatologists and professional cosmetic researchers in year 2014. Their sheet masks are really popular in the Asia market.
The anti-dust therapy mask is a 3 steps mask that shield your skin from fine dust. Step 1 is a soft anti-dust cleanser that clean and purify your skin. The second step is the therapy sheet mask. Spread the green color sheet mask evenly on the face and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Finally, apply anti-dust intensive cream to your entire face.
Not a fan of the cleanser, it dries out my skin and feels tight after I use it. But I do enjoy the mask and the cream. The sheet mask adheres the dust from my skin. When I remove the sheet mask, there’s dust on the sheet mask which never happened to all my other sheet masks. This mask changed my perspectives on anti-pollution skin care. They do protect your skin from daily aggressors like a shield.
This is a picture shows that the tiny dust adhere to the sheet mask. I believe it was on my skin.
My skin still feels soft and hydrated when I wake up the next day. I also feel my skin feels refreshing all day and still looking bright and radiant throughout the day.
Kiehl’s Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Mask
Kiehl’s cilantro & orange extract pollutant defending mask is here to protect your skin even on the days you are feeling lazy. It is an overnight mask which means it will work the magic for you during your sleep. This overnight treatment is packed with cilantro and orange extract that keeps your skin healthy and strong.
Cilantro extract provides nutrients to the skin and strengthens your skin barrier.
The skin barrier is extremely important for healthy skin. Our skin barrier protects our skin from environmental aggressors and maintains hydration level in the skin. Environmental aggressors such as dust and fine particles can penetrate into your skin easily if your skin barrier is weak. Your skin is easily triggered and become more sensitive and dry.
Kiehl’s Cilantro & Orange Extract pollutant mask is designed to minimize the effect of pollution on your skin. A strengthened skin barrier acts as a shield for your skin. It helps prevent impurities from adhering to your skin and protect your skin against environmental aggressors. How cool is that?
The mask is suitable for all skin types. Definitely try this mask out if your skin barrier doesn’t feel as strong like before. It helps build up your skin barrier and keeps it healthy and strong.
On the other hand, orange extracts are a powerful antioxidant that keeps your skin bright and radiance. My skin feels hydrated and protected each time I use the mask.
The instruction is simple, apply an even layer on your skin after cleansing. Leave it on for 5 minutes and tissue off. Leave a thin layer on the skin to work overnight. Make sure you wash this off in the morning and put on sunscreen because citric acid can cause sunburn to your skin.
Laneige Anti Pollution Mask
Laneige anti-pollution mask is a sheet mask that protects your skin from environmental damages. It is targeted for those that have very dry and sensitive skin. You can use this mask once or twice weekly for the best result. The instruction is plain and simple. First, put this mask on clean face for 15 minutes. Then, remove it and gently pat the remaining essence until it absorbs into your skin. Lastly, complete your routine by applying some moisturizer on your skin.
This mask features Saururus extract and ginger oil. I can’t find much info about Saururus extract. But I believe it is effective in giving your skin even skin tone and brightening. Secondly, ginger oil. Ginger is known for it’s antioxidant and toning skin properties. Apart from that, it also protects your skin from inflammation.
It stated on the website that both ginger oil and Saururus extracts are keeping your skin healthy and clear. While checking the full ingredient list, I found that there are several ingredients to brighten up your skin such as green tea extract and Arbutin. Green tea extracts are full of antioxidants that protect skin from free radical while Arbutin is commonly used as a skin brightener.
The material of sheet mask is very thin and transparent, almost can see through your skin. The texture of the mask essence is clear and watery. It absorbs easily to the skin and doesn’t feel sticky afterward.
Most Korean beauty products contain fragrances. However, it didn’t show there’s any fragrance on the ingredient list, but it does have a light scent. Maybe it’s just the scent of the herb. But if you are really sensitive to fragrances, maybe a patch test is a good idea.
I have a love-hate relationship with fragrances. I do feel that the overall experience of the product is elevated by the scent itself. Thus, I really enjoy different scents in the beauty products. But, I also know fragrance does nothing good to my skin.
Do you need to use anti-pollution skincare products?
Anti-pollution skin care products are worth a try especially if you live in an urban area. I think that your living environment is a big factor. If the air quality is generally clean and unpolluted, I think you might not feel much differences in your skin. But if you live in a busy big city like me, I definitely think it is necessary to give your skin an extra layer of protection from environmental pollutants. Your skin needs to detoxify and strengthen to keep it healthy.
