BEAUTY AND FASHION
Pollution Protection: 5 Easy Tips
for Combating the Environment's
Effects on Skin
Article by Dr. Michelle Henry
(BPT) - Properly taking care of your skin each day - and countering the possible effects of pollution - is quick, affordable and easy to do. So why do so many Americans forgo that step in their daily routines? A recent survey by CeraVe found 48 percent of American adults often worry about their skin, yet 36 percent have no regular skincare routine. Only 36 percent regularly use cleanser, and 33 percent say they're confused about how to choose effective products and methods. Unfortunately, everyday pollution and UV rays can easily wreak havoc on your skin, so it's essential to develop a proper skincare routine to combat these effects. In a given year, Americans are subject to some 83 million tons of pollution particles emitted into the air. Many Americans encounter those particles on their daily commutes, and because they can be 20 times smaller than your pores, they can infiltrate deep levels of your epidermis, leading to inflammation, dehydration and/or loss of elasticity.
Without a regular skincare routine, you're also more apt to deal with dryness, irritation, acne, accelerated aging, hyperpigmentation, dullness and other unwanted attributes that can result from the air quality. That may be why six in 10 U.S. adults say they cope with as many as 10 "bad skin days" monthly.
"Forming good skincare habits is not complicated, and it can pay off signifi-
cantly in terms of your health and appearance," notes board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry. "It's never too late to begin a daily skincare routine that offers the best possible protection against unhealthy elements in our environment."
Consider adopting these five habits that will keep your skin glowing and protected from all that it encounters.
1) Use an effective sunscreen every day. Apply a product that has an SPF of 30 or higher, is water resistant and provides broad-spectrum coverage so it protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. Reapply it throughout the day as needed. Henry points to studies indicating pollution may worsen the effects of UV and increase the risk of skin cancer.
2) Wash twice daily with a quality cleanser. Choosing the right product is key. Henry