top of page
Writer's pictureSkin Worthy

Protect Your Skin from Pollution

Updated: Jun 27, 2023

Greetings Skin Worthy fans, it's your trend-guru Nicole here.


As we all know, sun exposure is public enemy number one when it comes to causing skin damage. Did you know that pollution is a close second?

Let's lay down some facts:


  • In 2016, 91% of the world population was living in places where the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines levels were not met.

  • Air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year.

  • The major outdoor pollution sources include vehicles, power generation, building heating systems, agriculture/waste incineration and industry.



Our skin is our body's largest organ and it plays a crucial role in regulating our body temperature and protecting us from disease and infection. Our skin is thickest around our feet and thinnest around our eyes. Protecting our largest organ and maintaining skin health is vital. Our skin protects us from the pollutants around us, especially when living in densely populated urban areas. In recent years we have observed the effects of pollution on the skin as an increased risk of skin cancer, premature skin aging, skin sensitivity, discolouration, dryness, dullness, and roughness.

"There is a clear correlation between spikes in air pollution and increases in the number of people suffering from skin problems such as acne, hives and eczema. It is clear that air pollution is not just affecting skin on a cosmetic level, but also poses a real threat to skin health." - Dr. Doris Day

When pollutants are absorbed by the skin they can cause chronic inflammation. Our skin barrier becomes overwhelmed and can no longer self repair efficiently, collagen and elastin production slows down resulting in fine lines and wrinkles. Pollution can also stimulate the melanocytes within the skin cause unwanted pigmentation.


Major sources of pollution:

  • Fuel combustion from motor vehicles (e.g. cars and heavy duty vehicles)

  • Heat and power generation (e.g. oil and coal power plants and boilers)

  • Industrial facilities (e.g. manufacturing factories, mines, and oil refineries)

  • Municipal and agricultural waste sites and waste incineration/burning

  • Residential cooking, heating, and lighting with polluting fuels

  • Cigarette smoke


Toronto Air Quality Report for February 21st, 2020:

Toronto and its greater area generally have an air pollution level that ranges from 0-108

As our environmental concerns increase we are also seeing an influx of anti-pollution skincare products. The key to protecting your skin is finding products that are rich in vitamins, antioxidants and peptides to protect against free radicals in the environment. In addition to the antioxidant benefits you should also seek a product that contains hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramide or colloidal oatmeal to keep your skin's moisture barrier healthy and intact.


OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:


Every product in the ZO Skin Health line of skincare contains antioxidants. EVERY PRODUCT! Starting with your cleanser right down to your sunscreen, every single product contains carefully selected ingredients to provide antioxidant and anti-irritant properties to help protect skin from the harmful effects of daily exposure to the elements. Of all the amazing products offered by the ZO Skin Health line, these are a few of the noteworthy mentions in regards to pollution protection:



BENEFITS:

  • Provides antioxidant protection to combat the appearance of free radical damage

  • Helps tighten and firm the skin

  • Promotes skin health

INGREDIENTS:

  • Ultrasomes (UV-endonuclease) and roxisomes (glycosylase): Introduces enzymes to help speed up the skin’s natural repair process

  • Vitamin E: Provides antioxidant properties

  • Ceramide 6: Helps restore barrier function

  • Matrixyl 3000 (palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7): Firms and re-densifies


BENEFITS:

  • Helps remove surface discolouration

  • Powerful antioxidants help defend against environmental triggers

  • Helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

INGREDIENTS:

  • Ascorbic acid (10%): Exfoliates skin surface pigmentation for a more even tone and brighter complexion

  • Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate: Proven to help prevent appearance of new dark spots

  • Tocopheryl acetate & coenzyme-Q10: Provides multiple antioxidant protection

  • Squalane: Mimics our body’s own natural moisturizer factor for additional hydration

6 Months of ZO Skin Health Non-Hydroquinone Hyper-pigmentation System



BENEFITS:

  • Supports skin barrier restoration and function

  • Reduces itching, restores hydration and calms redness

  • Reduces intensity & frequency of flare-ups

  • With continued use, patients reported that their skin felt healthier & smoother, and was more hydrated and less red

INGREDIENTS:

  • Glycerin: works to moisturize the skin by drawing water from the air into the skin's outer layer

  • Shea Butter: functions as a dermal conditioner, helps retain moisture and lessen the loss of water by forming a barrier on the skin's surface

  • Colloidal Oatmeal: acts as a natural, deep penetrating moisturizer that reduces the itching caused by dry skin. Works as a soothing, protective anti-inflammatory agent.


BENEFITS:

  • Advanced amino acid complex helps to restore skin to a more radiant appearance

  • Provides mild exfoliation to help smooth skin texture and even skin tone

  • Antioxidant protection helps minimize appearance and feel of inflammation and damage induced by daily oxidative stress

  • Helps replenish hydration and support healthy skin barrier function

INGREDIENTS:

  • Lactose, milk protein, brassica oleracea italica extract:  Helps soothe skin through hydration, minimizing the appearance of red, sensitized skin.

  • Farnesyl acetate, farnesol, panthenyl triacetate: Helps reduce oil 

  • Papain:  Provides gentle, enzymatic exfoliation to improve skin texture and tone

  • ZO-RRS2®: Exclusive plant stem cell complex provides powerful antioxidant protection

  • Glycerin:  Replenishes hydration


Combat premature aging, pigmentation, redness and irritation by introducing one of the above listed products into your existing skincare routine. Boost your collagen & elastin production while maintaining a healthy, strong skin barrier. Preventing skin damage is much easier and more efficient than correcting skin damage.


At Skin Worthy, we value educating our patients on their skin concerns, if you are looking to address your concerns or would like to learn more, we encourage you to come in for a complimentary consultation. We will discuss your goals, assess your skin and decide the best plan of action for your specific needs.


-Nicole


call Skin Worthy 647-350-7546 to book your consultation today!



 

177 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page