AIR POLLUTION - How does it affect our skin?

With Mayor of London Sadiq Khan fighting a battle against London's air pollution crisis, it comes as no surprise that the topic of pollution and the effect it has on our skin has become a growing concern.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is the "contamination of both indoor and outdoor environments by any chemical, physical or biological agent". Currently 92% of the world’s population live in places where air pollution levels exceed the limits set by the World Health Organization, and London has already exceeded its yearly quota for 2018 in March.

It is estimated that there are over 6,000,000 car journeys made in London every day, 2 million of which are as short as 2km, it's fair to say that air pollution is a real issue in London. While this transport crisis has more obvious negative health effects, it's also taking its toll on our skin.

So just what does excessive exposure to daily pollutants mean for our skin?

Hidden airborne pollutants can affect skin in the following ways :-

• Irritate and inflame the skin
• Clog pores
• Worsen the effects of aging. 
• Increase melanin production - resulting in pigmentation
• Inflammation
• Weaken the skin's barrier
• Cause lines and wrinkles.

People with sensitive skin types (now estimated to be in excess of 50% of the UK population), as well as those suffering from inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema, are more susceptible to the effects of air pollution.

The air is filled with a variety of pollutants including cigarette smoke, car exhaust, smog, dirt, dust, and other particulates. These pollutants contribute to mitochondrial oxidative stress, which has been shown to promote the production of free radicals. In addition to playing a role in many chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and autoimmune disorders, an increase in free radicals has also been linked to premature aging. .

So how do we treat and prevent this from happening?

• SPF - wear a SPF everyday no matter the weather
• Antioxidants - search for products that contain antioxidents, anti-inflammatories and hydrators.

Antioxidants have been shown to be one of the most effective ways to prevent skin aging caused by the pollution we encounter on a daily basis. Naturally occurring antioxidants can be found in many brightly colored fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers, and should be added to your diet whenever possible. Additionally, antioxidants can be applied topically to boost your defense against environmentally induced oxidative stress, while also protecting the skin from sunburn.