No one wakes up aiming to dive into the slump of pollution, but everyone still, somehow, ends up there. Because being affected by it is not a choice, but a living condition that must be accepted and dealt with, if you wish to exist outside your home. As we begin our day, we can all use some extra measures to shield both our outer skin and our inner cells from the pollution that the world is ready to throw at us, day in and day out.
Being exposed to the sun and the subsequent pollution of the environment can have a compounded effect on our skin. What begins as dullness and dryness can soon lead to redness, wrinkles, blotchiness, fine lines, and exacerbated acne. We often have no idea what our skin ingests throughout the day. While some toxins can be digested and recycled out by your body, poisonous gases like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur can cause permanent damage to your skin.
Gone are the days when a cheeky homemade turmeric pack at the end of a long week could prevent/cure the harmful effects of pollution. The toxins penetrating our skin every day need to be dealt with so much more than homemade packs.
So, pushing the envelope ahead, here are the best tips to win the battle against pollution vs skincare:
Take regular baths
Try taking a bath twice a day: once at the beginning of your day and the second at the end of it. Taking a hot shower or bath at night can not only improve your mood but also help you wash out all the dirt and dust you take yourself home.
It is important to wash off the first layer of pollution. If not done, it can easily be absorbed by your skin.
Scrub your exposed areas regularly
Adding a 10-second scrubbing routine to your bath for skincare to fight pollution can make a huge difference. Constant exposure to pollution creates a layer of harmful chemicals that leads up to inflammation in your skin. With scrubbing, you can get rid of the toxins accumulated on the surface of the skin.
Apply a layer of scrub on your damp skin and cleanse it with a loofah. The Pilgrim Volcanic Lava Ash Face Scrub has the unique texture and extra-fine particles that make the whole exfoliation process a treat. It also helps improve skin elasticity – leaving it fresh, bright and rejuvenated. Your skin will be so supple that you won’t be able to keep your hands off of it.
Never skip sunscreen
A point unmissable when you mention pollution protection is a layer of sunscreen. You must find an SPF solution you trust and apply it religiously. The protection from the UV rays is the primary function of the lotion, as it serves the purpose of saving you from multiple assaults of a pollution ridden atmosphere.
Your skincare during pollution should include a heavy layer of SPF. Every single day. The Pilgrim White Lotus Day Cream is built with SPF 50. Not only does it protect your skin from the sun and prevent sunspots, but its universal tint provides coverage for discolorations like hyperpigmentation and redness.
Keep yourself hydrated
You may think it is only your skin that is getting affected by the chemicals outside, but that is not the case. Your insides are much vulnerable, if not more—thanks to the air you breathe and the toxins your skin absorbs.
A fool-proof way to clear your body of toxins is to keep yourself hydrated, along with infusing it with detoxifying elements such as lemon, basil, and other antioxidants.
Keep your skin moisturized
Nourishing your skin is as important as extracting all the toxins out. After all that constant scrubbing and double baths, your skin deserves to be replenished. Nothing does the job better than shea cocoa butter-based moisturizers. It spreads easily and creates a protective layer that prevents any environmental damage. Using this moisturizer, you will be able to preserve the elasticity and youth of your skin. Apply an adequate amount of body butter onto your skin twice a week on your entire body.
Try to avoid pollution hours
Every city has designated rush hours, and you must be aware of them. To protect your skin from pollution, try to avoid traveling in these hours, and when you do, do it with the maximum protection. Covering your exposed skin with cloth, traveling in covered vehicles, and being conscious about your exposure to the sun can help tremendously.
Have a healthy diet
Having foods that are rich in healthy fats and antioxidants can help your body filter out the absorbed toxins accrued through pollution exposure. Foods like eggplant, avocado, broccoli, almonds and garlic are filled with true fats antioxidation components that promote the generation of healthy tissues in your body. It also helps in building back the hydrolipidic film of the skin.
Conclusion
The type and quantity of pollutants being ingested by your body are subject to constant change as factored by the weather and the industrial infrastructure outside. Figuring out what works for you and what doesn’t will do a huge favor for you, as you can’t fight the pollution, you can simply save yourself from it.
Sulfate Free Shampoo
Our ultra-hydrating Shea and Cocoa Body Butter is enriched with vitamins and antioxidant-rich white lotus extracts. It melts straight in to the skin, locking in the natural moisture while nourishing its radiance. It spreads easily and forms a protective layer to prevent environmental damage.
