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How to protect your skin from pollution?


Strolling under the rays of the sun in summer or enjoying the fresh air in winter, these are the little pleasures that life gives us! In order to preserve the beauty capital of your skin, it is important to protect it from pollution and ultra-violet (UV) rays when you go out in town. Veld's care, rituals and beauty routine reveal all its secrets to protect your skin from pollution.

What is the effect of pollution on the skin?

What exactly is pollution?

Air pollution (or atmospheric pollution) represents too high a concentration of impurities in the air. These then alter the composition and quality of the air we breathe. There are two kinds of air pollutants:

  • Primary pollutants:these are particles or gases released into the atmosphere from natural phenomena or human activity. For example, carbon dioxide (CO2) is released during forest fires, volcanic eruptions or simply when we breathe. Human activities (road traffic, heating, etc.) also generate the emission of these polluting particles and gases.
  • Secondary pollutants:we speak of secondary pollutants when, under certain meteorological conditions (humidity, heat, light), the primary pollutants undergo chemical reactions between them and become much more harmful.

The effects of pollution on the skin

On a daily basis, the skin is subjected to numerous aggressions. In winter, very cold temperatures will tend to dry it out in depth. In summer, the skin retains its hydration better but generates more sebum to protect itself from heat and UV rays. If you have to adapt your beauty routine according to the season, keep in mind that exposure to pollution is present all year round .

According to a study by the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi, pollution destroys the hydrolipidic film which acts as a protective barrier of the skin . When the hydrolipidic film is altered, the skin is more fragile and defends itself as best it can:it produces more sebum, in an attempt to recreate a protective film. This excess sebum clogs the pores, preventing light from penetrating the skin (the complexion becomes dull) and causing pimples and blackheads. On sensitive skin, redness and inflammation appear quickly.

In mature skin, which is particularly fragile, it is essential to protect yourself against pollution. Indeed, by reducing the skin barrier and putting the skin to the test, pollution is one of the first factors of premature skin aging . In addition, pollution promotes the production of free radicals, responsible for deep wrinkles and loss of firmness in the epidermis.

How to protect your skin from pollution?

Make a clean place:remove pollution particles from your skin

If you live or work in the city and pollution is your daily life, it is necessary to take it into account in your beauty routine. Every evening, remove your make-up carefully, in order to eliminate make-up, but also the impurities which have deposited on the surface of the skin tissue.

Then, cleanse your skin with a suitable cleanser, to remove the last residues of make-up, perspiration, sebum, and particles of pollution . It is very important to clear the way each evening, to allow the skin to "breathe" and regenerate. To get rid of pollution particles anchored deep in the epidermis, regularly exfoliate your skin with a scrub.

In addition to this daily routine, we advise you to use a purifying and detoxifying mask once every 15 days, to allow your skin to start like new again!

Strengthen your skin barrier to protect your skin

Once your skin is clean and clear, it's time to move on to moisturizing. Indeed, to rebalance and strengthen the hydrolipidic film In order to fight pollution, hydration is key. Every night, apply our Age 2 Deep Hydration Cream O, ideal for plumping the skin from the inside, and reconstituting a cutaneous shield worthy of the name.

If your skin tends to be dry and particularly reactive, you can reinforce the action of the moisturizer with the Age 2 serum. O. It promotes the circulation of water in the epidermis , reinforces the hydrolipidic film thanks to its concentrated formula, and offers the skin an anti-aging action , to smooth wrinkles and regain suppleness and firmness.

Against pollution, adopt a healthy lifestyle

In parallel with an adapted beauty routine, adopting a healthy lifestyle is a very good way to protect your skin from pollution. To keep your skin hydrated and preserve the skin barrier, it is essential to drink enough throughout the day. Drinks rich in antioxidants and vitamins like green tea, fresh fruit juices and smoothies (lemon, grapefruit, orange) are perfect for scavenging free radicals and preventing the signs of aging.

When preparing your meals, consider whole grains, seeds and vegetable oils (flax, olive, walnut or rapeseed) rich in omega 3. They help to reinforce the hydrolipidic film and to protect the skin from external aggressions !

And because we can't talk about lifestyle without addressing the issue of sleep, try to maintain a regular cycle, with at least 7 hours of sleep per night. This rest period allows your skin to oxygenate itself to better regenerate , and thus be more resistant to pollution.