The invisible threat that could damage your skin
YOU can’t see it and you can’t feel it, yet it’s around you all the time. Pollution is an invisible aggressor that can seriously damage your skin. While it’s well known that smoke, traffic and factory fumes can have a negative impact on health, the truth is they can also accelerate skin ageing and leave your complexion dull and tired.
Reports suggest that the pollution problem is getting worse. Last year emissions in London were higher than in Beijing and elsewhere in the UK some cities hit their annual air pollution limit by mid-January.
This isn’t just a city problem as, thanks to car fumes and fertilisers, the countryside is polluted too.
So how does this affect your skin? The epidermis is absorbent and acts like a sponge, drawing in harmful toxins. This happens because the tiny chemical and dust particles are small enough to pass through the pores.
Once embedded, pollutants can exacerbate conditions such as acne and eczema and stimulate the production of excessive melanin, leading to age spots. Recent research by Pure Beauty revealed that when exposed to pollution particles for just a few hours, vitamin E levels in skin can reduce by as much as a quarter. Yet help is at hand thanks to a new wave of products and treatments that promise protection from everything the environment can throw at us.
SKINCARE SAVIOURS
When choosing products that are designed to fight pollution, look out for antioxidant ingredients such as vitamins C and E and resveratrol.
These will protect against the damage free radicals inflict on healthy skin cells.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are commonly used in sunscreen and will provide a natural barrier on the skin.
l Ultrasun Face Tinted Anti-Ageing Sun Cream for Sensitive Skin SPF30, £26 (marksandspencer.com) contains vitamin E and acts as a sunscreen, tinted moisturiser and primer all in one.
Apply once in the morning for complete protection.
l Exuviance AF Vitamin C20 Serum Capsules, £59 (victoriahealth.com) contain 20 per cent vitamin C which works to reverse the effects of pollution, fighting pigmentation marks and boosting collagen.
Apply directly to the skin or mix with your moisturiser.
l Rosina’s Kale & Pomegranate Face Mask, £20 (rosinaslotions potions.com) is an all-in-one cleanser and mask from our own skincare range that is designed for daily use to remove pollution and exfoliate the skin.
l Ren Flash Defence Anti-Pollution Mist, £24 (renskincare.co.uk) can be sprayed over moisturiser or make-up.
It contains a potent antioxidant blend that works like a shield to protect against free radicals.
l Avene A Oxitive Water Cream, £24 (boots.com) is enriched with two powerful antioxidants that fight pollution as well as light-reflecting mother of pearl and soothing thermal water to brighten and plump the skin.
l Sanoflore Essence Merveilleuse Regenerating Anti-Ageing Night Oil, £45 (feelunique.com) contains geranium, which has been found to activate collagen synthesis and repair cells.
Massage a couple of drops into clean skin before bed for a radiance boost by morning.
AT THE CLINIC
l A professional salon facial once a month will deep cleanse and unblock pores. We love Hydrafacial, which combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration, red light therapy and antioxidant
protection all in one session. From £125 per treatment. See hydrafacial. co.uk for your nearest clinic.
“Pollution matter” is a damaging mix of chemical and dust particles that are tiny enough to be inhaled and can be absorbed by the skin. These particles attack the skin’s barrier, leading to inflammation, increased sebum production and blocked pores.
A glycolic facial peel can help decongest and detoxify skin, leaving a smoother and more radiant complexion.
It can be combined with the light-based treatment PDT which will brighten and clarify the complexion encouraging fresh, healthy and clean skin from the inside out.
From £60 for a peel and £200 with PDT. Available from most clinics.
For advice on cosmetic surgery consult your GP. For more of Lesley’s tips, see lesleyreynolds. com ACTRESS Helen Mirren, right, has revealed her new beauty secret: microblading. This high-tech treatment can be used to restore thinning eyebrows and the 72-year-old Oscar winner is delighted with the results.
“I was fed up with my brows barely being there… it has made a huge difference,” she says.
Thinning brows are a common problem with hormonal changes, the menopause and over-plucking all affecting growth. While it’s possible to fill in sparse brows with make-up, microblading offers a natural-looking alternative that can transform your appearance.
Pigment is implanted into the skin using a tiny ultra-sharp blade. This leaves thin lines of colour that look almost identical to natural hair.
Sparse or missing brows can be completely restored and as the colour is custom blended you are guaranteed a perfect match. Results last up to two years. Cost: £800.