Did you know that air quality isn’t just harmful to the environment but also affects your skin? Yes! Your beautiful skin is at risk because of poor air quality. It’s wild to think that the very air we breathe in could be causing damage to our precious epidermis! 

Unfortunately, it’s true. Poor air quality can lead to a whole host of skin problems, from dryness and dullness to premature aging and even acne. The pollutants in the air can clog up our pores and cause inflammation, leaving us with irritated and unhappy skin. And don’t even get me started on the free radicals floating around out there – those little buggers are like tiny ninjas attacking our cells and causing all sorts of chaos.

 But fear not! We may not be able to control the quality of the air outside (especially with the current wildfires), but there are plenty of things we can do to protect our skin from its harmful effects. So let’s take a deep breath (not too deep if you’re outside, though!), relax, grab some sunscreen and antioxidants, and get ready to glow despite whatever pollution comes our way!

Cleaning your face correctly is crucial for keeping your skin healthy while exposed to filthy air, so a simple cleansing routine may not be enough. Make a habit of double cleansing, which is a two-step process for a deeper, purifying cleanse. The first step involves an oil-based cleanser that helps remove surface pollutants, breaking down SPF and makeup on your face. 

We love the Stone Crop Cleansing Oil with its blend of microgreens protects against the drying effects of environmental stressors and reduces the signs of aging for brighter, younger-looking skin.

The second step relies on a potent facial wash to further clear impurities that have managed to penetrate deep inside your pores. The result? Clear, clean skin! Kombucha Microbiome Foaming Cleanser, with its micellar technology + pre|pro|post biotics, cleans & helps repair the skin barrier. 

Next, adding regular exfoliation does more than just rid your face of dead skin cells; it also removes the dirt and pollution from deep within your pores. Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant has oxygenating properties + the microgreen complex brightens the skin and protects against environmental factors. 

The best defense against free radical damage is antioxidants; fortunately, you will find many ways to add them to your skincare routine (in addition to your diet, of course!). Regularly using antioxidant serums, like Citrus & Kale C+E Potent Serum.

Vit C is your skin’s bomb squad! Free radicals are anti-oxygen bombs that trigger inflammation and cascades of damage. These volatile molecules are missing an electron and, in an attempt to stabilize, steal electrons from otherwise healthy cells. How can free radicals be stopped? Neutralize the “bomb” – so to speak. Antioxidants donate an electron to free radicals before they can cause undue damage to the skin. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can neutralize and remove free radicals, thereby minimizing the visible impact of exposure to pollution, particulate matter, and other environmental stress. 

While sunscreens may not directly protect your skin from pollution, they do play an essential role in your defense against pollution. Air pollutants can react with UV rays and become toxins that damage your skin. As such, daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen is a must to avoid UV damage as much as possible. Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 40 pulls double duty protecting against environmental pollution and blue light (cell phone/computer) stress.

While I have listed my picks for anti-pollution products above, what I want you to take away from this article is the routine of antioxidants, cleansing, and barrier repair is the best defense against air pollution. The main goal of our skin is to be an immune barrier, and taking the proper steps to help reduce pollution’s effects will help you maintain your glowing skin.