When it comes to health and fitness, it’s a way of life for most of us, where we try to eat as well as possible for our bodies and test out the latest exercise crazes to feel physically fit. But because we focus so much on these two facets of our lives, we tend to overlook another important aspect of our lives – our skin.
Do we really know the toll our skin takes from the environment? What we do know is that the sun isn’t the only culprit either – pollution from all sources like cars and construction sites all contribute.
Taking care of your skin should be at the top of your investment list, and here are the top reasons why.
Damage from ozone
The toxic gas ozone is suspected to be one of the primary causes of pollution-related skin damage. According to Dr Guiseppe Valacchi from the University of Ferrara in Italy, who is known for his expertise on pollution’s effect on the body, we are continuously exposed to ozone, which oxidises our lipids (fats that bind skin cells together) and causes inflammation.
So what can we do? Believe it or not, sunscreen is only effective for UV rays, not pollution, so it’s critical to include antioxidants in your skincare regime. They neutralise free radicals and diminish their havoc-wreaking effects on the skin.
We use a variety of high-antioxidant ingredients in our range, including blueberry extract, black tea and acerola fruit, so incorporating a layer of our light weight oil after cleansing in the morning and evening will help protect your skin. Our Exotic8 Facial Oil is just one of those super products jam-packed with antioxidants!
Air pollution destruction
The air around us is far from pristine, and when that pollution comes into contact with your skin, it doesn’t just sit on the surface – it grimes up like on a car’s windshield. The particles infiltrate the skin’s deeper layers, causing dehydration. Duke University’s consulting professor of dermatology Zoe Draelos in the US has said pollution breaks down collagen, but it’s something we can help prevent.
Simple changes to your daily skin routine, such as proper cleansing, can have big, positive impacts. Wash with a mild cleanser (like our Alexami Purifying Gentle Cleanser – Purify & Cleanse) to prep for the day, and then in the evening get deeper into the pores to remove the film of potentially harmful pollutants without hard scrubbing, which can exacerbate drying or irritation. A good idea is using something like a facial sponge, or our Alexami Facial Mitt, which is made specifically to get rid of all those little nasties sitting on your skin.
Sleeping in makeup
One of the easiest steps to take for healthier skin is to stop sleeping in your makeup. After a long day, the first thing you probably want to do is dive onto the couch or hop into bed under your crisp sheets. But take a couple minutes to wipe off your makeup first – sleeping in it can age your skin and prevent it from recovering overnight.
Turn down shower temperature
Oh, how amazing is that hot, steamy shower in the morning, especially in the middle of winter before we crank up the heater? It might seem like the perfect way to wake up or relax after a day at work, but while it feels great, your skin won’t agree. Hot showers are guaranteed to turn your skin into a dry, flaky mess so to avoid this, turn down the temperature just a tad.
We recommend creating good skin care habits to keep it healthy and fit. Following a simple regimen will become as routine as going out for your morning jog, having that daily pumpkin salad for lunch, or going to your weekly yoga class. You’ll be so glad you did!