Pollution

Pollution

Pollution and other harmful chemicals are another cause of free radicals in the skin and can contribute to ageing. Day after day it acts on your skin and ages your skin prematurely. Your face, neck and hands are at highest risk. Your skin can protect itself from the pollution but if the pollutants stay on your skin for a longer period that can cause serious problems. The air pollution not only irritates your lungs but also affects the way you look.

The pollutants cause premature aging of the skin as they “suck out“the oxygen from the skin cells and your skin looks dull and sagging. The complexion becomes grayish, rashes appear and small pimples form. Despite causing premature aging, pollution can also cause skin allergies, diseases, pigmentation, eczema and even acne. Pollution damages your skin as it increases the free radicals and the effect of the UV radiation; it decreases collagen and elastin production, resulting in a rough skin texture, clogged pores and fine lines.

On average we breathe in two grams of pollution and eat five kilogram each of food additives and pesticides every year. Avoiding pollution is tricky. However, you can help fight internal damage by increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, which contain antioxidants to fight the damage, and also by choosing organic product where possible.