PROTECTION - Protect your skin from air pollution

August 31, 2022

"You probably know that air pollution is not good for your health. But did you know that it can also be harmful to your skin?"

It is actually not a completely stupid idea to familiarize yourself with, because studies have shown that air pollution has a great impact on the skin. It is therefore important to take care of it.

Air pollution is many things and comes from, among other things , traffic, industry, cigarette smoke and smog . It is composed of gases and substances that come from many different sources. Most of the air pollution is created by us humans, but nature can also pollute the air.

Around the world, nine out of ten people breathe air that exceeds the World Health Organization's recommendations for air quality, so globally it is a widespread problem. It is virtually impossible to avoid polluted air, but in cities the concentration is particularly high.

Air pollution is also something we must take seriously in Denmark, where the air quality can be categorized as unhealthy in several places. In Denmark, air pollution is monitored by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and DCE, the National Center for the Environment and Energy. On DCE's website you can see how the air quality is where you live.

Free radicals

You've probably tried it before: You've cut an apple and after some time on the kitchen counter it has turned brown. It is a natural process and is caused by unstable molecules, also called free radicals. They enter and weaken the cells in the apple, resulting in the apple turning brown. More precisely, the free radicals are missing some electrons, and so they try to steal them from others, causing problems.

"The free radicals occur naturally and are especially present in polluted air. They are the ones that can be harmful to your skin."

They go in and do the same to the skin's cells as to the apple's, and the weakening of the cells can, among other things, cause aging of the skin.

The harmful effects of air pollution are not something you can see right away. It is a slow process which over the years can lead to pigment spots and aging of the skin, and which can create or worsen irritations and other skin disorders. That is why it is something you should know about already today, so that you can help your skin in the best possible way.

Although you cannot avoid air pollution completely, luckily there are several things you can do to counteract the damage it can potentially cause to your skin.

What can you do?

Balanced diet

The great warrior when it comes to fighting the free radicals from air pollution are antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that go in and neutralize the free radicals by giving them electrons so that they lose their harmful effect. Therefore, they are very important for your body. Antioxidants are found in many foods such as fruit, vegetables and whole grain products, so you are well covered with a varied diet.

Care with antioxidants

"It is not only in the diet that you can get antioxidants."

Use a skin care product with antioxidants to protect skin from air pollution. LYKKEGAARD ANTI-POLLUTION Protective Face Cream contains, among other things, sunflower, oats and mulberry, all of which are rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals. Use it every morning to protect the skin during the day.

Cleanse the skin

It is important to clean the skin. Then you remove the pollution particles and prepare the skin for your care product so that it can penetrate deeper. Here, too, you must choose a product that contains antioxidants. With the right cleansing routine, you protect and clean the skin optimally. Choose a mild cleansing product that removes particles of pollution, but does not strip the skin of its natural oils. Try LYKKEGAARD REFRESHING Facial Cleansing Foam , which contains antioxidants and certified organic ingredients. Follow up with micellar water or tonic – or LYKKEGAARD MICELLAR 3 in 1 Tonic , which is both and also contains antioxidants.

Less exposure

A few changes in your routines can make a big difference to how much air pollution you are exposed to.

"For example, it is of great importance to the air in your home whether you open a window onto a busy road or onto the courtyard"

The route you take to get somewhere can also be important if you travel outside. You can see the air quality on your route on DCE's website – maybe you should try a new route where you will be less exposed to polluted air?

Remember the sunscreen

Free radicals are found in many places, not just in polluted air. The sun's rays also form free radicals, which can damage the skin. Therefore, it is important to use sunscreen to best protect the skin against the environmental influences that you encounter in everyday life.

Want to know more about which ingredients help fight air pollution? You can read more about the ingredients in our products on the website.

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