SHIELD YOUR SKIN FROM EFFECTS OF POLLUTION

Chemicals in the smog around the city can block pores and adversely affect the skin. Experts list home remedies to tackle the fallout

Dull skin and clogged pores are everyone’s nightmare, and with the high pollution levels in the city, there’s only more trouble in store for our skin. The polluted air makes it hard for the skin to breathe, leaving it irritated, dehydrated and worsening existing conditions.

“It has been proven that when combined with UVA and UVB sun damage, long-term exposure to pollution has a cumulative effect on the skin. This degradation surfaces as premature ageing — fine lines, wrinkles, redness, blotchiness and aggravated acne. Also the exposure to nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant resulting from car exhaust or power plant emissions, can lead to dark spots on the skin,” says Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi. Wonder how to save your skin then? Experts suggest the following home remedies.

DRINK MORE WATER

Drink plenty of water, you can make detox water at home with amla or tulsi leaves which will help in flushing out toxins and give essential antioxidants.

PROTECT THE SKIN

Apply sunscreen or follow a skincare regimen (a serum, or a daily moisturiser) to create layers of protection because it protects the skin from UV induced damage, traps smog particles and prevents these harmful chemicals penetrating deep in the skin. Wash face with cold water, use a non-exfoliating face wash to remove dirt from face.

SCRUB DAILY

If you scrub for just 10 seconds every day, it helps your skin recover and heal from the ill effects of pollution. To prepare a scrub at home, take some walnuts and grind them into a coarse paste. Mix some sugar and a few drops of olive oil and scrub your face gently for 10 seconds only. You can also make a home scrub with sugar, honey and lemon and use it twice a week. Pollution creates a layer of chemicals that leads to inflammation. So, cleansing in the morning and night is a skin-care necessity. Cleanse, double cleanse or even triple cleanse, if need be, especially at night, to remove residue.

USE FACE PACKS

You can also take a slice of a raw green papaya and rub on your skin for 20 seconds. A chocolate face pack is a great way to deal with harmful effects of pollution. Rich in antioxidants, it wards off free radicals, detoxifies skin and provides deep nourishment and a healthy glow.

BATHE IT OUT

You can also take steam once a week after massaging your skin with almond or coconut oil. For a hint of rejuvenation, add a few drops of lavender or orange oil to your steam water. Give yourself a warm coconut oil massage and treat yourself to a warm water shower.

CLEANSE WELL

Mix yoghurt with a tablespoon of lemon juice and honey. Apply to the face and neck with circular movements for deep cleansing and to reverse the damage caused by pollutants. Prepare a mask by putting cotton pads in milk and rose water, let it soak then put in zip lock bags and refrigerate. Place it on clean face and remove after 20-30 minutes. You can also freeze ice cubes with green tea or rose water, add cucumber juice, and roll it on face.

MOISTURISE SKIN

Pollution leaves a dull skin. Hence, use moisturisers to nourish the skin. Apply cocoa butter paste twice a week for deep nourishment. Olive oil also has high content of vitamin E and antioxidants.

(With inputs by Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi and beauty expert Bharti Taneja)

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER TO FLUSH OUT TOXINS. APPLY SUNSCREEN OR FOLLOW A SKIN CARE REGIMEN TO CREATE LAYERS OF PROTECTION. IF YOU SCRUB FOR 10 SECONDS EVERY DAY, IT HELPS YOUR SKIN RECOVER. YOU CAN ALSO TAKE STEAM ONCE A WEEK. REGULARLY USE MOISTURISERS

GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO

GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO A chocolate face mask helps nourish your skin and keeps it glowing