The effects of air pollution are many and can include skin feeling, irritation and even premature aging to name a few. Pollution can also zap your skin of its healthy glow and leave it looking dull in appearance.

Is there anything we can do minimize the effects of pollution on our skin both indoor and outdoor? Absolutely! Here are a few quick tips to help counter the negative affects of pollution on the skin. Read what Jacquie Carter, beauty expert has to say in this regard.

1.Double Cleanse

Your first step is to remove pollutants and dirt from your skin through proper cleansing. For those living in high pollution areas, you may want to do a ‘double cleanse.’ Choose a cleanser for your skin type that has 'no added sulfates'. Give your skin a thorough cleansing specifically to remove the surface residue such as your makeup, dirt, excess oils and any chemicals you may have come into contact with. Once you have done that it’s a good idea to give it another quick cleansing.

This way, you can be sure that you removed all the surface impurities and have thoroughly cleaned your skin. If your pores are clogged, you may experience a few breakouts and it’s a good indication that you need to cleanse your skin a bit better.

Believe it or not, there are visible signs that you aren't cleansing your skin properly. If your skin feels uneven it may be an indication that there is something lodged in there. This is most common on your cheeks, chin and nose area. Trust me, it’s not attractive. The good news is that just a bit of extra cleansing on a daily basis may help. Remember to tone your skin after cleansing.

2.Scrub the pollution away

Exfoliating your skin on a regular basis can help guard against negative affects of pollution from building up on your skin, giving it that dull, drab appearance. A good scrubbing helps to deep clean your pores and remove the dirt, oil and debris.

3.Double Down on Antioxidants

Antioxidants help to fend off free radical damage and can support healthy-looking skin when taken internally. Antioxidants to benefit the upper layers of the skin are also available in nutrition skin care products. Look for cleansers, moisturizers, and serums that contain antioxidant vitamins C and E. They can help to counteract the pollution we encounter from urban environments.

4.Use a good moisturizer

Moisturizers will provide your skin with antioxidant support and help hydrate your skin. Most importantly, a moisturizer will help to create a barrier between your skin and pollution.

5.Avoid rush hour

For the sake of your skin, it’s always best to avoid being in pollution heavy areas during rush hour. The more automobiles on the road, the more pollution you’ll be exposed to. It’s as easy as that.

6.Wear Sunscreen

There is never a reason NOT to wear sunscreen when going outside - I’m sure most people know that. As a friendly reminder, it’s imperative to always protect your skin from the damaging UV rays.

7.Stay hydrated

Water is good for your body and great for your skin. By drinking more water, you can help keep your skin hydrated. You should also load up on fresh fruits with a high water content in your daily diet. Look for antioxidant enriched citrus fruits, watermelon and apples for a delicious, hydrating healthy snack.

It’s almost impossible to avoid pollution. By following these simple tips, hopefully you can reduce some of the damage that pollution can cause to your skin. You may write to us your experiences of pollution impacting your skin and let us know if these tips are useful.

Courtesy

Glow with health welness solutions