Detox Your Skin with These Anti-Pollution Skincare Products
Air pollution, in the form of gasses and of particulate matter, also known as particle pollution, is a source of free radical damage and premature aging for many of us. Several studies have linked pollution to premature skin ageing, when that pollution comes into contact with your skin, it doesn’t just sit on the surface leaving you feeling dirty. Some of these particles are as many as 20 times smaller than pores—allowing them to penetrate the deeper layers of the epidermis, causing not only inflammation and dehydration but also a cellular-level reaction that leads to lost elasticity and firmness.
While there is no way to avoid the pollution in the air altogether - you can mitigate the impact of enviromental stressors on the skin with a regime that will help protect against pollution.
What ingredients should you try to integrate into your routine?
Vitamin C is recommended for its deep cellular protection and overall skin repair capabilities. It's particularly effective in its lipid-soluble form, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, for anti-pollution protection.
Algae plays a dual role by protecting the skin and improving circulation, thus helping the skin to fend off toxic environmental factors.
Mineral Blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide offer physical barriers to protect against UV rays and environmental toxins.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) strengthens the skin barrier, reducing the risk of inflammation and providing comprehensive antioxidant protection.
Vitamin E in the forms of tocopherol and tocotrienol is crucial for long-term skin protection against pollutants.
Dandelion supports the skin’s natural detoxification process, helping to prevent premature aging.
Ceramides, Sterols, and Fatty Acids are key for a healthy, functioning skin barrier, protecting against external irritants.
Green Tea is a top ingredient for its antioxidant-rich makeup and circulation-boosting effects due to caffeine.
Thermus Thermophilus Ferment offers superior antioxidant relief and outperforms vitamins C and E in providing skin protection.
Prebiotics support the probiotic bacteria on your skin, maintaining a balanced and healthy skin barrier in the face of environmental stressors.
Chicory Root helps keep irritants at bay, especially when used before applying a moisturizer.
Additionally, activated charcoal can draw pollutants and toxins out of the skin, vitamins A, C, and E fight free radicals caused by pollution, and Chinese herbs like ginseng, green tea, and licorice root offer antioxidative benefits to combat pollution-induced skin aging. Ginkgo biloba and lutein protect against oxidative damage, while zeolite and kaolin clay help remove impurities and toxins
Bynacht Autocorrect Texture and Glow Mask
Bynacht’s new Autocorrect Texture and Glow Mask is designed for optimal skin protection against pollution, leveraging the skin's natural nighttime regeneration process. Its innovative Bynacht Illumiante Complex, enriched with "Miracle Grass" Cistus Internus and bioavailable retinol (Vitamin A), targets cell renewal and combats oxidative stress, a key factor in pollution-related skin damage. The mask's potent mix of antioxidants, a 4-fold Hyaluronic Acid Complex, and Phytoextracts of Magnolia, Licorice Root, Mangosteen, and Passion Flower detoxifies the skin, offering a deep cleanse from pollutants and toxins. This composition not only aids in repairing UV damage and micro-damage but also ensures a plumper, firmer, and more radiant complexion by morning.
Available at Bynacht for £150.
Nimue Skin Sun-C Environmental Shield SPF 50
This SPF offers a comprehensive sunscreen offering robust protection against a wide range of environmental threats, including UVA and UVB rays, Infra-Red and Blue Light (HEV), as well as pollution. Its formulation aims to offer not just sun protection but also to address anti-aging concerns by protecting the skin from the visible signs of aging caused by environmental factors. Light, non-oily, and mattifying, it’s suitable for various skin types and conditions without leaving a greasy residue. It is designed to integrate seamlessly into skincare routines, providing a protective barrier without compromising skin texture or exacerbating common skin issues.
Available at Nimue stockists.
Lumene Nordic C [VALO] Brightening Day Fluid SPF30 50ml
This fluid is a vegan, lightweight moisturizer designed to protect the skin against UVA/UVB rays with SPF30, using non-nano zinc oxide for sun protection. Infused with vitamin-C-rich and wild Arctic cloudberry extract, the fluid not only boosts radiance but may also enhances the skin's natural defense mechanisms against environmental stressors due to its rich vitamin C and antioxidant profile.
Available at John Lewis for £27.90.
Zelens Tea Shot Urban Defence Serum
This potent, antioxidant-rich serum is designed to combat the adverse effects of urban living, including pollution and blue light exposure. It features a proprietary blend of five different types of tea: green tea, matcha green tea, white tea, black tea, and kombucha (fermented black tea), which together offer a synergistic action to protect and revitalize the skin. This blend is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, known for their powerful antioxidant properties, providing defense against daily environmental stressors and combating visible signs of premature skin aging caused by free radicals.
Available at Zelens for £90.
Kate Somerville Supercell Rejuvenation Serum
It’s never too late to act against skin damage from pollution that has already been incurred. SuperCell Rejuvenation Serum is a highly effective clinical-grade vegan stem cell serum. The groundbreaking technology creates plant-generated growth factors that mimic human proteins to restore, repair + rejuvenate skin. SuperCell Rejuvenation Serum works to boost collagen, cell turnover + skin elasticity to reverse skin damage caused by pollution + target visible signs of skin ageing.
Available at Kate Somerville for £84.
fjör Hydrolytic Serum
The fjör hydrolytic serum is a new and exciting way to protect your skin. The serum creates an impenetrable barrier to pollutants, protecting your skin throughout the day. The hydrolytic enzyme deactivates bacteria, viruses, and fungi on the skin while keeping the skin’s natural microbiota thriving. It reduces inflammation and redness, strengthens the skin’s natural barrier, and deeply hydrates the skin. It is also a mild exfoliant that gently removes dead cells from the skin’s surface, leaving the skin smooth, fresh, and radiant.
Available from fjor from £82.45.
MZ Skin Anti Pollution Hydrating Mist
This restorative mist is formulated to deeply hydrate the skin through a micro-fine, lightweight spray, bolstering the skin's barrier function and increasing its resilience against environmental stressors. It also aims to brighten the complexion, defend against free radicals, and soothe inflammation, thereby reducing redness and energising the skin.
The product's effectiveness in neutralizing free radicals and potentially boosting collagen production, reducing hyperpigmentation, and moisturizing the skin is supported by the inclusion of ascorbyl glucoside, a stable but less potent form of vitamin C, and other beneficial components like niacinamide and ectoin
Available at MZ Skin from £24.80.
Sarah Chapman Digital Shield Day Cream
Designed as a modern solution to protect the skin against a variety of environmental stressors, including urban and digital pollutants, this cream complements the Digital Rest Night Recovery Cream, to offer round-the-clock skin protection and rejuvenation. This day cream stands out for its blend of advanced anti-pollution actives, such as B-Circadin and CobioDefender EMR, aimed at defending against the effects of digital blue light and electromagnetic radiation. It also includes ingredients like PhytoSpherix to energize the skin at a cellular level, and Astaxanthin, an antioxidant that combats oxidative stress while enhancing skin radiance.
Available at Sarah Chapman for £55.
Germaine de Capuccini Excel Therapy O2 Pollution Defense Emulsion
This emulsion excels against the four main types of pollution: air, UV, digital, and domestic, while boosting the skin’s oxygen levels. This action helps prevent the early signs of aging and enhances complexion brightness, especially for combination skin types. The formulation includes exclusive Large Anti-Pollution Technology that works on the skin’s surface to block damage from these pollution types. Key components of this technology are Blue Light Block, which protects against damage caused by electromagnetic waves from electronic devices, and Triple Anti-pollution Shielding, which prevents the penetration of PM 2.5 particles, shields against UV rays, and defends against chemicals in household cleaning products.
Available at Germaine de Capuccini for £65.25.
Hello Sunday's The Illuminating One Glow Primer SPF50
A great SPF that also offers benefits against pollution through its antioxidant ingredients. The product is formulated with a variety of sunscreens that protect against UV radiation, which is crucial because UV exposure can exacerbate the harmful effects of pollutants on the skin. Additionally, the presence of antioxidants like vitamin C (as Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate) and carnosine can help neutralize free radicals, reducing the oxidative stress caused by environmental pollutants
Available at Hello Sunday for £23.
EviDenS de Beauté The Total Shield SPF 50 PA++++
Formulated with powerful active ingredients, this SPF provides intense protection against harmful effects due to exposure to the sun and pollution. Thanks to its high SPF of 50 and PA++++, it effectively shields against damage caused by UVA and UVB rays. Enriched with Triple Collagen, the brand’s exclusive anti-ageing ingredient, The Total Shield revitalises the complexion, improves radiance and offers rejuvenating action on all skin types, even the most sensitive. The TotalShield acts as a genuine barrier thanks to its antioxidant, anti UVA/UVB, anti-infrared and anti-inflammatory protection.
Available exclusively at Harrods for £140.