THE EFFECTS OF POLLUTION ON OUR SKIN
With longer days approaching, the warmth of summer frees us to shed our literal and figurative layers, exposing more of our skin to the elements. As a preventative, we know to protect our skin from the effects of the environment and harmful UVA & UVB rays from the sun – but what about the effects of air pollution on our skin?
Toxins that are emitted from industry (smog), car exhausts, tobacco, and dust all release harmful chemicals into the environment, which then are absorbed into our skin. Our skin is one of the major organs involved in assimilating and eliminating wastes and impurities from our body, but often our system gets overwhelmed and our skin bears the burden of compensating in an attempt to get rid of these impurities.
The effects of air pollution on skin can be vast. The tendency for pollutants to strip our skin of essential vitamins can lead to premature wrinkling, irregular skin pigmentation, sensitivity, irritation, dehydration, breakouts, and fine lines.
What to do, other than putting on a full bubble suit? A skin detox can be just the ticket to help get rid of the body’s waste products, which in turn will help your skin look and feel better, offering a fresh start to kick off the summer months!
Open Up: Herbal Facial Steam
A simple way to open up the pores and deep clean the skin, a facial steam helps to eliminate toxins, increase circulation, soften and hydrate the skin, and bring nutrients of the herbs into the pores. We recommend steaming your face once a week for 10-15 minutes, followed up by a facial mask.
Recommended herbs for detoxing the skin are: Rose petals, calendula flower, chamomile flowers & comfrey leaf. 2 Tbsp of each of your chosen herbs should be sufficient infused into 6 cups of boiled water.
Go Deep: Clarifying Clay Mask
When dealing with pollutants that have penetrated the outer layers of the skin, it’s not deep enough to simply wash the face. Our Clarifying Clay Mask is made with Rhassoul and Multi Mitti clays which reach deep into the pores to eliminate and pull toxins out of the skin. Both have a unique ability to nourish the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. It also contains neem and camu camu extract to help with blemishes and to stabilize the skin’s oil balance. Our clay mask can also be used as an exfoliant to continue to cleanse the skin.
Nourish & Moisturize: Rosehip Seed Oil
Air pollutants cause the depletion of vitamins in the skin, along with weakening the outer skin barrier functions. Arming your skin with our antioxidant-rich Rosehip Seed Oil which is high in essential fatty acids, vitamin E, beta carotene and powerful, anti-aging lycopene will help heal effects caused by free radical damage in the skin and keep the skin’s barrier healthy.
xo denise