It’s difficult to avoid exposure to the sun and certainly not possible to prevent pollution from coming into contact with our skin. Unfortunately, both these elements are significant factors when it comes to skin ageing. Luckily, there are ways to protect our skin, decreasing the harmful effects of both.
Daily sun exposure – is it so bad for us?
We’ve long known that long-term sun exposure can cause your skin to get damaged and to age prematurely. However, most of us don’t consider the daily exposure to UV rays which have the same effect. The application of sunscreen on a daily basis cannot be stressed enough. It is the only way to avoid photo-ageing i.e., premature ageing of the skin due to exposure to UV rays from the sun.
The sun’s rays break down collagen and elastin, which causes wrinkling, dryness, and sagginess of the skin – and this happens even if you don’t develop a sunburn. Furthermore, ultraviolet rays also cause dehydration of the skin, leaving it dry and unable to easily repair itself from damage. The short-term effects are inflammation (redness) and discomfort; the long-term effects are photo-ageing, dark spots, and cell changes which may lead to cancer.
The effect of pollution
Over the years, an increase in air pollution has significantly affected our skin. Pollutants come in the form of particulate matter (e.g. mould, pollen), volatile organic compounds (e.g., substances used in industries), gases (e.g. ozone), and cigarette smoke.
Even though the skin is our natural barrier against pollution, repeated exposure to pollutants can cause damage. The skin’s protective function may become less effective as we age, or if the skin is damaged due to other conditions. Contaminants actually enter our bodies through the skin, hair follicles or sweat glands.
Pollution has much of the same effect on the skin as UV rays. Free radicals form on the skin when tiny particles gather on its surface in the form of dirt or dust. An inflammatory process is then stimulated, causing what is called oxidation or oxidative damage. Oxidation alters the natural skin barrier. Free radicals wreak havoc on collagen and elastin fibres too. The result is sagging and wrinkle-formation, the most prominent being on the skin of the face since this is the most exposed area. The skin becomes more vulnerable to external effects.
Cigarette smoking increases water loss in the outer layers of the skin. It also increases degeneration of connective tissue, further contributing to loss of collagen and elastic fibres.
Applying a moisturizer frequently can decrease the damage caused by pollutants by presenting a protective layer. Proper cleansing can remove the layer of dirt from the surface of our skin.
What can we do about these aggressors?
To make the skin more resistant to these daily environmental aggressions, the experts at Vichy Laboratories have developed Capital Soleil UV Age Daily SPF 50+. This high protection water fluid protects the skin from UV radiation and pollution damage. It shields the skin while targeting existing signs of photo-ageing to give you healthy and glowing skin.
Capital Soleil UV Age Daily SPF50+ facial sunscreen offers instant hydration for 48hrs, as tested under dermatological control, and a light fluid texture that gets instantly absorbed into the skin. The result is skin with a reduced appearance of sun-induced wrinkles and lightened sunspots.
Even though we cannot completely avoid the sun and pollution, we can prevent damage and repair the skin with the right habits. Skin should be kept clean, exfoliated gently and regularly, and protected with a moisturizer with a high sun protection factor (SPF) to minimize the damage from UV rays and pollution. With daily use, and use prior to sun exposure, Capital Soleil UV Age Daily SPF50+ evens out skin tones for a smooth appearance and a comfortable feel. Also available in a Tinted version.
Sources:
admin. (n.d.). 6 Side Effects of UV Rays on Aging Skin. Retrieved March 9, 2022, from https://www.webhealthmagazine.com/6-side-effects-of-uv-rays-on-aging-skin.html
Puri, P., Nandar, S. K., Kathuria, S., & Ramesh, V. (2017). Effects of air pollution on the skin: A review. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 83(4), 415–423. https://doi.org/10.4103/0378-6323.199579