Introduction
Living in the city exposes our skin to a hostile environment, characterized by increasing air pollution. How do they affect our health and our skin? Recent studies confirm the undeniable impact of pollution on skin aging. Daily protection, combined with adapted products, is crucial for preserving skin health in an urban environment.
Understanding urban pollution
Common pollutants:
Urban air pollution is a harmful cocktail composed of fine particles, toxic gases, and volatile organic compounds. Primarily generated by vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and various anthropogenic sources, it creates pollution peaks that intensify damage to the skin's barrier function, already initiated by UVA rays alone. It is crucial to understand that this pollution does not only affect our breathing; it can also be inhaled and absorbed by other parts of the body, including hair, nails, and skin, thereby accentuating its harmful impacts.
The mechanisms of oxidative stress
A silent attack:
Just like solar radiation, pollution induces oxidative stress where free radicals damage skin cells, impacting the quality and radiance of the skin. Let's explore the complex mechanisms of this attack, an essential understanding for effective protection and the implementation of an anti-pollution strategy for the skin.
Effects on the skin
Premature aging:
Oxidative stress accelerates skin aging, aggravating age spots or lentigines in polluted environments, contributing to the formation of wrinkles, loss of firmness, and a decrease in elasticity. Gaseous pollutants, particularly ozone, and fine particles damage the skin surface, penetrating to the first layers of the living epidermis on skin already damaged by UV and HEV / blue light, with internal systemic contamination through inhalation.
No robust study has yet established a correlation between pollution and skin cancers.
Hyperpigmentation and inflammation:
Pollution intensifies hyperpigmentation and skin inflammation. Studies show that heavy metals in pollution can create pigmentation disorders. Fine particles disrupt the skin microbiome, degrading beneficial bacteria and promoting inflammation. Furthermore, atopic eczema worsens in conjunction with pollution peaks.
Protection and prevention
Antioxidant shields:
Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, niacinamide, and vitamin E (tocopherol), play a key role in protecting against the aggressions of air pollution. Vitamin C, in particular, strengthens the skin's self-defense capabilities and provides additional protection against damage to the living epidermis. Rely on a cocktail of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals.
Deep cleansing:
An effective cleansing routine, removing pollution particles and sunscreen, is essential. Water-resistant mineral or chemical UV filters require deep cleansing with a cleansing oil. Opt for oil-based formulas that absorb and remove sunscreen residues, impurities, pollution, and excess sebum, maintaining clean and healthy skin, even in urban environments.
Conclusion
Acting for Healthy Urban Skin: Living in the city does not mean compromising skin health. By understanding the effects of air pollution and oxidative stress, and by adopting protection and prevention practices, we can maintain healthy and resilient urban skin.
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Bibliography
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- K. B. Fuks, A. Hüls, D. Sugiri, et al. “Tropospheric ozone and skin aging: Results from two German cohort studies”. Environment International, Volume 124, March 2019, Pages 139-144 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412018321391
- Raj P. Fadadu, K. Abuabara, J. R. Balmes, J. M. Hanifin, and M. L. Wei “Air Pollution and Atopic Dermatitis, from Molecular Mechanisms to Population-Level Evidence: A Review” Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Feb; 20(3): 2526. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9916398/
- I. Martic, P. Jansen-Dürr, M. Cavinato, “Effects of Air Pollution on Cellular Senescence and Skin Aging”. Cells. 2022 Jul; 11(14): 2220. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9320051/
- A. Vierkötter, T. Schikiwski et al. “Airborne particle exposure and extrinsic skin aging”. J Invest Dermatol. 2010 Dec;130(12):2719-26., https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20664556/
