Cosmetics against urban pollution

How to protect your skin from the negative effects of smog all year round? Environmental pollution is one of the biggest threats to our bodies. We mostly live in cities, where we are exposed to a variety of pollutants, from many sources at the same time. In winter, chimneys are smoky, in summer, on windless days, smog is formed from the exhaust fumes of cars.

Main urban pollutants

The main components of pollution are particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone, heavy metals or aromatic hydrocarbons. Numerous studies show that they cause illnesses such as cancer, asthma and allergies. We are rightly concerned about the dusts we breathe in, and at the same time there is a growing awareness of the risks associated with their effects on the skin. Air pollution can cause allergic problems, develop into dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis and accelerate the skin ageing process. Smog influences ageing in a similar way to the previously known factors: UV radiation and cigarette smoke, and the effect is the same as chronological ageing: skin deterioration – it becomes dry and sensitive, pigmentation changes and wrinkles appear. Pollution can also affect the condition of the hair in a similar way, making it dry and dull, as well as brittle and fragile.

How can we counteract these dangers?

There seems to be no single solution because the hazards are varied and their mechanisms are complex. It is advisable to identify the most important factors and choose the best possible countermeasures. The first thought is to isolate oneself from contamination. However, we do not suggest the kind of overalls worn by services fighting chemical contamination. To protect and strengthen the skin, we can use much more subtle solutions such as Chantarelle treatments and cosmetics containing ingredients that protect against environmental pollution.

Dr Marcin Wasylewski