How to protect your skin from pollution? 3 tips from a plastic surgeon

In a world of ever-increasing air pollution, it's becoming imperative to look after your skin in the face of the invisible threats it faces on a daily basis. Discover the latest scientific advances that can effectively combat the damaging effects of pollution on the skin, and explore the strategies you can adopt to preserve your skin's health.
Mechanisms of cutaneous aggression

Ubiquitous pollutants
Air pollution, both indoor and outdoor, plays a considerable role in the appearance of various dermatological disorders, such as dry skin, wrinkles and inflammation. The deterioration in skin health can be explained by a number of complex mechanisms triggered by the various pollutants in the air, such as oxidative stress and disruption of skin microflora.

Tip 1: Proper skin cleansing

Choose non-aggressive cleaning products
To combat the effects of pollution, the first step is to use gentle cleansing and exfoliating products to remove pollutants deposited on the skin. It's important that the products chosen are non-aggressive, to avoid increasing the penetration of pollutants into the skin's pores. Choose a the right cleanser for your skin.

Tip 2: An antioxidant shield for your skin

The deleterious effects of air pollution on our skin are well documented. Wrinkles, redness, dehydration and loss of volume are all symptoms of the constant assault of environmental pollutants on our epidermis. Fortunately, solutions exist to counter these attacks and replenish our skin's reserves. Dive into the world of protective active ingredients and discover how to defend your skin against the free radicals generated by pollution.
The destructive effects of pollution on the skin
First and foremost, it's important to understand the mechanisms by which pollutants affect our skin. Oxidative stress, resulting from exposure to various pollutants, leads to the production of free radicals. These attack proteins, DNA and cell membranes, causing visible and invisible damage to the epidermis.

• RESVERATROL
• ASTAXANTHIN
• UBIQUINONE
• PHLORETIN
• GLUTATHIONE
• FERULIC ACID
• PLANT EXTRACTS: such as Ginseng Extracts: rich in ginsenosides, they offer effective protection against free radicals.

Vitamins, especially niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3), vitamin C and vitamin E, play a central role in skin protection. They help repair DNA and limit cell damage.
Niacinamide: This vitamin B3 derivative helps repair DNA and has significant antioxidant effects.
Vitamin C: An essential vitamin which, in various forms, helps limit cell damage.
Vitamin E: Particularly in the form of α-tocopherol, it captures and stabilizes free radicals, reducing their harmfulness.

Tip 3 Reinforcing the skin barrier

To cope with pollution, it's vital to reinforce the skin's protective barrier, notably through the use of emollients that promote good hydration and create a physical protective layer. Indeed, well-moisturized skin is skin that is armed to resist the damaging effects of environmental pollutants. Emollients play a crucial role in forming a film on the surface of the epidermis, preventing harmful particles from attaching and penetrating the skin. Choose a good moisturizer.

Your skin's allies
Active ingredients are to be preferred in the products you choose to protect your skin:
Polyglutamic acid: reinforces the impermeability of the skin barrier, forming a microscopic protective film on the epidermis.
Ceramides: help maintain a strong, cohesive skin barrier, limiting the penetration of harmful substances.
Shea butter
Antioxidant-rich vegetable oil

Bonus: Daily sun protection

In addition to emollients, the daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen (UVA/UVB) is strongly recommended. The aim of this strategy is to avoid the interaction between ultraviolet rays and the photo-reactive components present in pollutants, which can amplify the damage caused to the skin. Protecting your skin from the sun is therefore an essential additional measure in the fight against the harmful effects of pollution.
The importance of UVA protection
It's vital to include sun protection in your skincare routine, as it minimizes the risk of damaging synergies between UVA rays and atmospheric pollutants.