We’re spending more time at home than ever before, which is to say, A LOT. This is especially telling, since pre-Covid times Americans were already spending approximately 90 percent of their time inside.
But it turns out that our home may not be the safe sanctuary we think it is when it comes to protecting our skin from air pollution. Did you know that the concentration of air pollutants can be up to 5 times higher inside our homes than the great outdoors?
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution is cited by the WHO as the world’s largest single environmental health risk. Whether it’s chemical, physical or biological, if the agent contaminates the outdoor or indoor environment, it’s considered airborne pollution.
Combustion byproducts are particularly bad for the skin- think vehicle emissions and cigarette smoke- and contain some of the world’s most toxic and prolific offenders, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Indoor pollutants can include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that show up in the guise of many common household products such as paints, varnishes, cleaning products and even scents. While polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are another toxin derived from garbage, biomass, and, if you need a reason to go vegan, charring or grilling meat!
Even dust can affect your skin! The smaller the particles are, the deeper they can penetrate your pores and cause damage over time.
How Does Air Pollution Affect our Skin?
As if we needed any more things to stress us out this year, prolonged exposure to pollution causes aging, increasing facial lines and wrinkles. More air pollution is linked to more skin irritations, such as smog causing acne. Toxic nanoparticles disrupt the skin’s barrier, penetrating deep into the skin and harming normal cellular activity, including:
- Decreasing the level of antioxidants, and ability to fight free radicals.
- Stimulating the melanocytes to produce an overabundance of pigment (brown spots).
- Increasing the production of extra blood vessels that are responsible for redness, irritation and rosacea.
- Activating chronic inflammatory skin disease (eczema).
- Reducing skin moisture.
- Increasing rate of sebum secretion (acne).
How can we protect our skin from air pollution?
Keep busy with household chores!
- Clean HVAC filters, vacuum and change your sheets regularly.
- Improve your home’s ventilation, as easy as opening more windows.
- Use unscented and gentle natural cleaning products, for your house and your skin.
Fortify your natural skin’s barrier
Timeless has recently launched our first facial kit, Pollution Solution, to help boost dull, clogged, dry or spotty skin. The kit includes 3 anti-pollution skin care products, with 2 serums that are rich with free radical neutralizing ingredients. After layering the products, apply SPF to further protect your skin from pollution.
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Brighten the skin
Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid provides a 20% concentration of L-ascorbic acid, a highly effective skin anti-oxidant and collagen builder. This serum promotes healthy cell turnover to decrease the effects of hyperpigmentation and evens out skin tone. The lightweight, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and transparently into the skin, while also being able to be added to any skin care routine. Use daily in the morning or evening to brighten, restore and help neutralize environmental stressors that can accelerate the signs of aging. -
Defend the skin
Coenzyme Q10 serum with Matrixyl 3000 & Hyaluronic Acid, is made with 3 wrinkle fighting superstars and is the ultimate weapon to fight the visible signs of aging. Q10 is a powerful, naturally occurring antioxidant that energizes skin cells to rebuild collagen & elastin. Matrixyl 3000™ is a safe alternative to most anti-aging product, maximizes the synthesis of collagen in the skin. Hyaluronic Acid increases & retains moisture for skin that looks and feels hydrated. This anti-aging trifecta works overtime to replenish and repair while smoothing fine lines & wrinkles. -
Protect the skin
100% Pure, Plant Based Squalane Oil keeps your glow on without leaving an oily sheen. We call it the ‘finishing touch’. This light-weight, dry oil seals in moisture and is also antibacterial, making it ideal for acne-prone skin and protecting skin against pollutants. It is also perfect for helping to set your make-up, so it stays in place all day!
