5-step anti-pollution skincare routine
Protect your skin from environmental damage and prevent premature ageing with our simple guide
City life is great for many things (hi Deliveroo and Uber), but glowing skin isn’t one of them. Whether you live in – or commute through – a metropolis or a busy town, protecting your skin from the damaging effects of pollution should be as important to your skin routine as SPF. Our quick and simple anti-pollution skincare routine will help boost your skin’s defences against toxins and free radicals to keep your complexion super-fresh and glowing.
How does pollution affect skin?
If you’ve ever been near the back of a bus and experienced ‘fume face’, you’ll know that pollution is no joke. Exposure to smog, dust and fumes puts our natural skin barrier at risk. Left unprotected, this can lead to blocked pores, uneven skin tone, premature ageing and exacerbating existing skin conditions – such as redness or inflammation. Look to our selection of cleansers, serums and moisturisers to protect your skin against pollution.
Step 1: Cleanse
Set your skin up for the day with an anti-pollution cleanser. This will help keep your complexion hydrated and reduce the appearance of pores, meaning they’re less likely to get clogged. Avoid over-exfoliating, as this can disrupt the skin’s barrier, and be sure to do another thorough cleanse before bed. Guerlain's cleanser is gorgeous – it melts makeup right off and is made with 90% naturally-derived ingredients.
Step 2: Hydrate
A toner helps to clarify and to restore the skin's natural pH balance. The best-in-class product is Medik8's Daily Exfoliating PHA Tonic with Enzyme Activator which evens skin tone, hydrates and helps to create a perfected skin surface which is better at absorbing whatever you put on your skin next, such as active ingredients like vitamin C.
Step 3: Serum
Chantecaille Blue Light Protection Hyaluronic Serum
What does an anti-pollution serum do? These skincare saviours help to defend your skin against free radicals. Look for serums rich in antioxidants, such as niacinamide, ascorbic acid, resveratrol, as well as good old Vitamin E and Vitamin C – these shield skin as well as refining its texture. We love Chantecaille's hyaluronic serum as it shields the skin from the visible effects of blue light pollution.
Step 4: Moisturise
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Barrier Balm
Anti-pollution moisturisers that contain ceramides or squalane are your Holy Grail; they help to repair the skin barrier and improve water retention. Also look for products featuring hyaluronic acid, which plumps skin cells by attracting water to surrounding tissue. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Barrier Balm is a good place to start – it deeply hydrates and helps strengthen your skin barrier to help resist external aggressors throughout the day. Your skin will thank you.
Step 5: SPF
Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer SPF 50
We all know never to leave home without a high-factor, broad-spectrum sunscreen, but this is never more vital than in urban areas. Charlotte Tilbury’s powerhouse of a product is infused with hyaluronic acid and promises 100 per cent pollution defence, helping to protect against premature ageing.
