{"id":25017,"date":"2021-06-21T21:49:53","date_gmt":"2021-06-21T21:49:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=25017"},"modified":"2021-06-25T00:01:51","modified_gmt":"2021-06-25T00:01:51","slug":"anti-pollution-skincare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/anti-pollution-skincare\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Anti-Pollution Skincare"},"content":{"rendered":"So\u2014you have a multi-step skincare routine, take your vitamins, and eat a balanced diet. While that’s great for your complexion and health alike, when’s the last time you thought about how pollution affects your skin?\r\n\r\nMoreover, should those living amidst natural landscapes be as concerned as city dwellers? What are the side effects of pollution on your skin, exactly? Also, what is “anti-pollution skincare” and does it really work?\r\n\r\nBelow, Corey L. Hartman, MD, FAAD<\/a>\u2014a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama\u2014answers these questions and more. Plus: how to protect your skin against pollution.\r\n

How does pollution affect your skin?<\/h2>\r\n“Pollution is part of the external factors that make up our individual exposomes that impact the aging process of our skin,” Dr. Hartman begins.\r\n\r\n(The CDC defines exposomes<\/a> as “the measure of all the exposures of an individual in a lifetime and how those exposures relate to health.” For instance, they also include diet, physical fitness, sleep<\/a> patterns, chemical exposure, and more.)\r\n\r\nAs he continues, environmental factors work by creating oxidative damage<\/a> in the skin, “which breaks down collagen and damages the skin barrier.”\r\n\r\nAs we know, collagen is the most abundant protein in the body<\/a>. It gives your skin strength and elasticity to maintain a fresh complexion. For that reason, a lack of it can result in dullness, wrinkles, and fine lines.\r\n\r\nThen, your skin barrier<\/a> is the external protective layer that locks in moisture and minerals while protecting against harmful pathogens. When your skin barrier is compromised, you’re likely to develop redness, itchiness, and flaky skin.\r\n\r\n\"Man\r\n

Does pollution only affect people who live in cities?<\/h2>\r\nWhen people think of pollution, we often think about the environmental aggressors that come from city living. However, Dr. Hartman tells us that everyone<\/em> is affected by pollution\u2014even if you live in a less industrialized locale or are lucky enough to be surrounded by nature<\/a>.\r\n\r\nThat said, people who live in cities are, in fact, more likely to experience premature skin aging due to their surroundings.\r\n\r\nA 2014 study<\/a> discovered that women who lived in highly polluted districts in Beijing (compared to women in cleaner suburbs) had:\r\n