The impact of pollution on skin health goes beyond smog and dirt found outdoors. it is also about the hidden dangers lurking in our homes and daily routines. From the air we breathe to the products we use, various pollutants silently compromise the glow and health of our skin.
Before you panic, we’ll reveal how everyday elements like toxic cleaning materials, hidden chemicals in consumables and fabrics, and accumulated indoor pollution can negatively affect your skin. Here are the top three offenders and our tips for minimizing their effects to maintain healthy, glowing skin.
Toxic cleaning supplies
While thoroughly cleaning your home can be very rewarding, the cleaning products you’re looking for are probably not skin-friendly. According The David Suzuki Foundation, “Most of us are exposed to cleaning products and their residues at low levels on a daily basis.” Many household cleaning products contain chemical ingredients that remain in the air and settle on our skin after use. As Jeannette Graf MD says Marie Claire: “The skin barrier contains protective bacteria, as well as cells that play a role in our immune system.” Detergents and solvents in cleaning products not only disrupt the skin’s protective barrier, but can also harm beneficial bacteria, leaving skin more susceptible to pollution, drying and aging.
To protect your skin’s health, consider replacing your chemical-laden household cleaners with eco-friendly alternatives. Additionally, always wear gloves to protect your hands when using these products. To further protect your skin from environmental stressors, it’s important to be aware of the hidden chemicals in everyday items. In the next section, we delve into the specifics of these chemicals and how they affect your skin.
Hidden Chemicals
Processed foods, synthetic fabrics and non-organic beauty products often contain chemical compounds harmful to your skin’s protective barrier. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can lead to dull, dull and lifeless skin. To avoid these hidden chemicals, choose organic alternatives to processed foods, choose clothing made from natural fibers like cotton and wool, and choose beauty products without toxic ingredients.
Eminence Organic Skin Care The products are made without the use of harmful chemicals such as parabens, petrolatum, mineral oils, propylene glycol or sodium lauryl sulfate. To clear skin, we recommend using our Mangosteen Resurfacing Daily Cleanser as an alternative to harsh facial cleansers with chemical additives. This milky gel gently removes dead skin without manual exfoliation or excessive stripping of moisture from the skin. It also contains mangosteen, a superfruit that helps protect skin from drying environmental stressors while promoting natural radiance. To further protect your skin and strengthen your skin’s protective barrier, try our Kombucha Microbiome Leave-On Masque. This powerful mask formula features ginger and pro, pro* and metabiotics to visibly refresh skin’s appearance while supporting the moisture barrier.
Accumulated Pollution
If the damaging effects of air pollution on your skin make you want to run indoors and close the windows, you may have reason to worry: The air inside your home can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside . Pollution in our homes and offices can be the culprit that prevents us from achieving the smooth glow we desire. And even if you clean regularly, tiny dust mites can be hiding in your bedding, carpets and upholstery. These persistent, tiny creatures can irritate your skin, aggravating sensitive and problem areas. Accumulated dust in your home is a component of what’s known as particulate matter—suspended particles that easily penetrate (and affect the look and feel of) skin. These tiny particles bounce around the skin causing repetitive damage: They disrupt the skin’s barrier and destroy elastin and collagen, which accelerate signs of aging, including wrinkles.
While pollution inside our homes poses invisible challenges to maintaining healthy skin, adopting specific self-care practices can counteract these negative effects. A key step is a shower before bed, which washes away not only the stress of the day but also the tiny dust and dirt that accumulates on the skin. You can also remove impurities with skin care products like Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant™. With its light foaming action, this powder-to-foam exfoliator delivers oxygen to the skin’s surface and reveals a brighter, more youthful complexion. You can also reduce the effects of pollution by incorporating Birch Water Purifying Essence into your routine. Formulated with birch water, this nutrient-rich cleanser leaves skin clean and hydrated.
Looking for even more skin care tips? Visit an Eminence Organics Spa partner near you to speak with a licensed esthetician and browse our collection of skin care products.
*Products do not contain live probiotic cultures.
