Pollution is everywhere. Outside, in the city and in the countryside, but also inside homes . If it deteriorates your health, it seriously and insidiously damages your skin. The best strategies to save face by respecting the rules of clean beauty and without polluting the planet .
In the city, your skin, which has an estimated surface area of 2 m², is covered in urban dust, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Just slide your finger over the body of a car to imagine what your skin, and especially your face, goes through. This urban pollution contains an explosive cocktail of more than 200 chemical substances, mainly pesticides, heavy metals, dirt, exhaust fumes, tobacco smoke, candle smoke, building components, interior solvents and paints , and the famous fine particles.
This phenomenon, which affects 92% of humans who live in cities, is the third leading cause of death in France after alcohol and tobacco, not to mention the role it plays in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, allergies and even certain cancers.
But let’s get back to the skin, how can we protect it effectively while respecting the principles of clean beauty ?
The damage of pollution on the skin
Experts estimate that today, pollution is responsible for 80% of skin aging. The remaining 20% is the consequence of aging inscribed in the cells. This exogenous and premature aging is nicknamed Polluaging.
Substances due to pollution attach to the surface of the skin. They damage the sebum, which causes acne attacks in some people, especially during pollution peaks. They also alter the quality of the hydrolipidic film and the stratum corneum, so that the skin , less well protected, is more sensitive, more reactive, more vulnerable.
When all these pollutants stick to the skin, they dissolve and trigger a whole series of oxidative reactions that damage the deeper cellular structures of the skin. The consequences? Acne, blackheads that clog pores and cause blemishes, but also dry skin, synonymous with loss of radiance and discomfort, alteration of the elasticity and tone of tissues, not to mention brown spots and dull complexion.
How to effectively protect your skin with clean beauty?
It's true, the skin has its own natural defense system. In addition to the stratum corneum and the hydrolipidic film, it contains a pool of antioxidant substances to block the path of free radicals , real little energy bombs that damage all skin structures in their path. The skin's antioxidant substances are vitamins, mainly C and E, and specific enzymes that block these free radicals to stop them in their mad rush.
But when the skin is attacked strongly, and for too long, its antioxidant reserves are depleted. It then shows signs of fatigue and aging. Two ways can help it: the cutaneous route using cosmetics and the oral route with the "Clean Eating " diet.
Clean cosmetic care rich in antioxidants
Beyond the mention "anti-pollution care", look closely at the list of ingredients that indicates the composition of the product. Choose a short list of ingredients but which mentions the presence of antioxidants known to trap free radicals (which alter proteins, lipids and DNA of skin cells). Prefer organic or natural ingredients, especially vegetable oils . And this, in the day cream as in the night cream.
- Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, a powerful anti-free radical which also ensures healing, the formation of collagen and reduces the appearance of brown spots.
- Vitamin E, or tocopherol, which prevents the oxidation of lipid structures that form cell membranes to preserve their fluidity. This “anti-aging” vitamin regenerates the skin and preserves the radiance of its complexion.
- Vitamin A, which is not a true antioxidant but an anti-aging active ingredient that helps the skin to renew itself despite the attacks of pollution.
- Plant-based polyphenols that are both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
- Moisturizing substances
Avoid controversial substances : CMR ingredients (carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for fertility), endocrine disruptors, nanomaterials, irritants and allergens. That is, parabens and phenoxyethanol, silicones, mineral oils (extracted from petroleum), some foaming surfactants like SLS sulfate, alcohol, perfumes, EDTA preservative, PEG polymers.
Beyond the composition, check that your cream is manufactured in a short circuit ( made in France ) preferably according to the green chemistry process. Finally, take a look at its packaging which must be environmentally friendly with a minimum of packaging, recyclable or recycled, biodegradable with a minimum carbon impact, as is the case for carbon and glass.
Gentle, twice-daily cleansing
An essential step, cleansing or removing make-up , morning and evening, removes a good part of the pollutants fixed to the skin. Be careful not to rub too hard to prevent the pollutant particles from scratching the epidermis, attacking it and increasing its sensitivity.
Finally, don't forget that the skin recharges itself with antioxidants internally through diet. Choose fruits and vegetables of all colors, seasonal, organic and grown in short circuits near you.