How To Protect Your Skin From Environmental Aggressors
There is a list of things that we know are inherently bad for our skin. Dehydration, junk food, and a lack of sleep top the list. But did you know that the environment also plays a big role? Read on to learn about three of the biggest environmental stressors and how to protect your skin against them.
How Can The Environment Damage Your Skin?
Blue Light
While we tend to think of our environment as outdoors, there are a few culprits within our homes that can cause stress to our skin. Blue light is emitted from the screens that we use every day. This means that your bedtime scroll on Instagram or your daily work project on your laptop would all contribute to blue light exposure.
Although blue light is not as powerful as other forms of light like UV radiation, it has been linked to premature hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, skin dullness, and fine lines over time.
Pollution
Air pollutants like cigarette smoke, smog, and exhaust fumes all contribute to premature aging of the skin.
Pollution exposes your skin to free radicals, particles in the air that cause oxidative stress. Free radicals are floating atoms that are missing an electron. They attach themselves to other substances like our skin and cause a reaction that damages our skin cells. This reaction can break down our collagen resulting in wrinkles and a loss of elasticity and firmness.
Stress
Stress affects the body in many different ways. When we’re under a large amount of stress, our bodies release the hormone cortisol. This release triggers our skin to increase sebum production resulting in excess oiliness and potential breakouts.
The presence of chronic stress can lead to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression causing inflammation in the body and exacerbating any underlying skin issues.
Invest In Ingredients That Protect
Minimizing exposure is the first step in stopping environmental damage in its tracks. However, there are skincare ingredients that can provide additional protection.
Antioxidants
While speaking to free radicals and oxidative stress above, we mentioned that free radicals are atoms that are missing an electron. Since they are unstable, they can wreak havoc on the surfaces that they come into contact with.
Antioxidants equip your skin with an extra electron to neutralize the free radical and ensure that the exposure does not result in cellular damage.
I’m From’s Vitamin Tree Water Gel contains several antioxidants such as Vitamin B, Vitamin E, and numerous phenolic compounds known for skin protection. This formula also boasts Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, and Glycerin to plump and hydrate the skin.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the most powerful ingredients in protecting your skin against environmental aggressors. In addition to fighting oxidative stress, Vitamin C works to brighten and improve elasticity.
You’ll find a concentrated dose of Vitamin C in Jumiso’s All Day Brightening and Balancing Facial. It also contains other protective ingredients like Vitamins A, B, D, E, and K.
Ceramides
Although ceramides might not immediately come to mind when you think of skin protection, these helpful lipids (fats) contribute to overall skin health. Ceramides strengthen the skin barrier and help it retain moisture. A resilient barrier can better protect itself from environmental pollutants and heal from damage in a more efficient way.
RNW’s Ceramide Concentrate Plus Apoule provides five different types of ceramides as well as peptides to fortify the skin barrier and keep it looking smooth and hydrated.
