5 Ways To Protect Your Skin From Pollution

One of the biggest drawbacks of living in an urban jungle is pollution. No matter what you do, you cannot fool-proof your skin from being at the receiving end of it. But, what you can do is control and regulate its effect on your skin. Because in the long run, pollution not only makes your skin look dull, but also triggers pigmentation, collagen loss, inflammation, and premature ageing. Below are some through which you can pull your skin out from the clutches of pollution. 

1. End the night with double cleansing

Your face is like a sponge. Dirt, filthy air, and smoke will take up residence and clog your pores if your face is not cleansed thoroughly. But just using your daily cleanser will not cut it. Using an oil-based cleanser before your face wash, helps breakdown makeup, pollution residue, dirt and grime effortlessly. This is known as the double-cleansing method. Where in, you first use an oil-based cleansing balm and then a gentle cleanser. This offers a much deeper and purifying cleanse. 

Begin with our Mon Cherry Dirt Dissolving Cleansing Balm and massage it onto your face and neck for 1 minute. It contains moringa seed oil that nourishes and salicylic acid that mildly exfoliates skin. Rinse off well, and then use a gentle cleanser to eliminate any impurities left behind. We recommend the Yuzu Fine Vitamin C Foaming Face Wash for normal skin; Chialeader Shine Control Gel Face Wash for oily, acne-prone skin and Bravocado Pollution Rescue Face Wash  for normal skin. 

2. Exfoliate bi-weekly

Pick 2 days of the week for exfoliation, say Wednesday and Sunday. For skin that is bright, healthy and pollution-free, exfoliation must be a part of your weekly skincare routine. It not only sloughs off dead skin cells, but also refines your pores to pull all the pollution residue. We recommend using the Mesmerice Ultra Nourishing Cream Mask is a creamy exfoliator that nourishes dry skin; Mama Cica Instabright Peel Pads has glycolic acid which is great for oily and acne-prone skin; and Birch Please intense Glow Gel Mask has salicylic acid and birch juice that exfoliates and hydrates normal skin. Do not use any other exfoliating acids in your PM skincare routine post using these.  

3. Maintain your skin’s barrier health

If your barrier is weak, meaning the outermost layer protecting your skin is not in good shape, then pollution will certainly wreak havoc. It’s your first line of defense against pollution. Without it, aggressors can easily hijack and make your skin look absolutely dull and lackluster. One of the best ways to maintain your barrier health is by ensuring that your skin is hydrated. Using a nourishing moisturizer twice without fail will up your skin’s hydration levels as well as barrier health. Our favourites have to be the Matcha Better Anti-Shine Moisturizer for oily skin; Bravocado Ultra Light Nourishing Face & Body Cream for dry skin; and Mon Cherry Ultra Light Moisturizing Gel for normal skin. 

4. Use antioxidants

Using antioxidants in your daily routine is the best way to protect your skin from radical damage, environmental aggressors, and oxidative stress like dark spots and saggy skin. Vitamin C, niacinamide, vitamin E, and vitamin A (retinol) are some of the top-performing antioxidants that promote skin health and give you even-toned and brighter skin. Our Bravocado Intense Brightening Serum contains 2% niacinamide and the Mesmerice Intense Repair Serum has vitamin E that moisturizes and protects skin. You may use them in your morning as well as night skincare routine for maximum benefits. Our Yuzu Fine Vitamin C Brightening Toner contains 3X more vitamin C than lemons. You can also double up the benefits of antioxidants by using a vitamin E-infused sleeping mask. Our Mon Cherry Overnight Peeling Mask has vitamin E and many more Korean botanical ingredients that replenish your skin while you sleep.   

5. Do not skip sunscreen

Even though sunscreen does not directly protect your skin from environmental pollution, it surely improves your skin’s defense against it. Pollution reacts with the sun's UV rays and produces toxins that are really damaging for your skin. Using a broad-spectrum SPF every day will help your skin shield from those harmful UV rays. It also keeps your skin’s barrier intact. So, always remember – sun or no sun, do not step outdoors without using sunscreen in AM. For ultimate sun protection, use a sunscreen that is more than SPF 30. Our Bravocado SPF 50+ PA++++ Sunscreen Gel has UVA and UVB filters that keep your skin safe and protected against harmful sun rays and environmental aggressors.  

Along with skincare, below are a few simple tips that you can follow to reduce the effects of pollution on your skin. 

• Cover your face as much as you can when you step out. You may use a face mask or a scarf to cut contact between your skin and pollutants. 
• Steam your face once every week. Steaming opens up pores and allows your skin to flush out toxins and impurities. 
• Have antioxidant-rich foods like oranges, flaxseeds, spinach, etc. to keep your skin healthy.  

Follow these tips diligently and you won’t have to worry about pollution affecting your skin ever again!