Protecting your Skin from Climate and Pollution

What goes into your body can affect the health of your skin, but external factors can make an important difference, too. The climate and the environment, including ever-increasing levels of pollution, can wreak havoc on your skin. Changes in temperature and other weather conditions may call for adjustments in your skin care: products and routines that are suitable in one season may be less effective during another.

Hot Weather

The Sun rays can do a lot of harm on your sensitive skin. They can damage the structure of the skin, causing early wrinkling, lumps and bumps, and serious conditions, such as skin cancer. The rising humidity during the summer months can increase oil production, exacerbating problems such as acne, and provoke irregularities in sweat production, leading to prickly heat.

Sun And Heat Protection

  • The best way to protect your skin from the sun is to avoid sunbathing or other unnecessary exposure.

  • Wear a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF (sun protection factor) 15, especially on the face. Look for products such as foundations and moisturizers that already include a sunscreen to avoid the need for separate preparations in everyday conditions.

  • Cover up bare skin: wear a hat, a light long-sleeved top, and slacks.

  • Keep cool with tepid baths and showers.

Pollution

Environmental pollution, such as cigarette smoke, car exhaust fumes, and smog, increases the levels of free radicals produced by the body. Free radicals are thought to harm the skin cells by encouraging collagen and elastin fibers to break down, speeding the aging process.

Contaminants in the air find their way onto your skin and can interfere with its ability to regulate moisture levels. This can make the skin dry and patchy, or block the pores, causing spots and blemishes.

Pollutant Protection

  • Antioxidant nutrients help to block free-radical activity in the body, so include antioxidant-rich foods in your diet.

  • Many skincare products contain antioxidant ingredients, such as vitamins A, C, and E- though whether these can actually penetrate the skin cells and provide any long-term benefit is a matter of debate. It's worth trying them if you can afford it and you find one that suits your skin.

  • Cleanse your skin thoroughly at night to wash off collected dirt and grime.

Cold Weather

When the temperature drops, the skin becomes more sensitive, and the cold air and biting winds of winter can make it even more fragile. Cold weather can also make your circulation less efficient. As a result, the skin's metabolism can become sluggish, and less oxygen reaches the cells.

This means that in cold, windy, damp weather, your skin tends to become dry, flaky, and chapped, and may feel tight. The dehydration can exacerbate skin conditions such as eczema. And switching between extreme temperatures- going from a warm house to the cold outdoors- can worsen broken veins or rosacea.

Trying to keep warm in winter brings another set of problems. Turning up the central heating, using heavy quilts or electric blankets, and keeping the windows tightly closed, can also dehydrate the skin and make it appear prematurely aged. You may notice fine lines around the eyes, puffiness, and blotchy skin.

Cold - Weather Skin Care

  • Switch the heating as low as possible. Wear extra clothing if necessary.

  • Keep the air moist by placing bowls of water near radiators or sources of heat, or buy a humidifier.

  • Avoid electric blankets and other bedwarmers. They can keep your sleeping body temperature at too high a level.

  • Keep a window open at night to let in fresh air .

  • Wear layers of loose rather than close-fitting clothing. Tight clothes can inhibit circulation and clinging fabrics can irritate your skin.

  • Take regular exercise in winter to keep the blood moving around the body.

  • Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration .

  • Use a good moisturizer, especially when going outdoors.

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