The Effects of Pollution on Your Skin and Scalp

Lollapalooza is a staple of the Chicago summer, bringing in music lovers from far and wide. Music acts delight and inspire the next generation of artists and we just can’t get enough of them. But between the articles of new music and stunning sets, concerns were being raised about the pollution levels. Smoke from Canadian wildfires were being blown directly into our cities, right when a large majority of the population would be outside all day for an extended weekend. When the sun burns bright, we put on sunscreen and hats to shield ourselves from the sun. When the summer rain comes down we open umbrellas and wear raincoats to avoid getting wet. But how do we protect ourselves from the air outside? How do we stop pollution from seeping into our pores and sticking itself to our scalp? There are many methods and products we can use to solve these issues. With just a bit of time and planning ahead you can pollution-proof your skin and haircare routine.

What is in pollution that is so negative for our scalp and skin? Pollution is made up of tiny particulates suspended in gaseous toxins, invisible to our naked eye. The pollutants make their way into the air we breathe and walk around in on a daily basis. They cause all sorts of problems for us, invading our lungs, irritating our eyes, and sticking to our scalp and skin. Though they may seem ubiquitous, being in the air we need to survive, and inescapable in big cities with all the cars, trains and industry needed for daily life, there is hope! There are methods to remove these particulates from your hair and skin and shield yourself from them going forward!

Let's start up at the top. Specifically the top of your head. The natural oils your scalp produces are the perfect velcro for pollution to stick to. The pollutants then build up over time, working their way into your pores and clogging your hair follicles. Over time this can cause dryness, dullness, irritation and possibly affect the growth of the hair leading to more brittle and thinner hair overall. So how can you stop all those nasty affects keeping your hair from being the healthiest and prettiest it can be?

You could start with more physical protection, like baseball caps and sun hats to keep your scalp protected and out of the open air. There are also products that can help remove the pollutants as you wash. Counterintuitively stripping your hair with a strong detox or harsh shampoos in an attempt to cleanse the pollutants from your scalp can exacerbate the problem. These products dry out your scalp making any dryness you were already experiencing and irritation much worse. Opt for calming and balancing shampoos like the Aveda Scalp Solutions Shampoo. Using these products can help calm the irritation, and bring your scalp back into equilibrium. Regular use helps your scalp more effectively cycle out foreign pollutants and naturally rid itself of debris. Finally there are preventative products that can reduce and even block the pollutants from clinging to your scalp in the first place. The Aveda Refreshing Protective Mist forms a barrier against pollution and can help calm any irritation your scalp may have.

Now let's talk skin. Or more specifically the skin on your face and body. Some of the effects of pollution are similar to those on the scalp, such as dryness, irritation, sensitivity and inflammation. Skin conditions like psoriasis, rosacea and eczema can be exacerbated by outside forces, like pollutants. Your skin's natural defenses, the outermost layer of skin known as the stratum corneum or more commonly known as your skin barrier, can be weakened by constant exposure to pollution. This allows contaminants to slip into our pores and penetrate deeper into our skin. Clogged pores can result in new or worsening breakouts, and pollution is a super common reason for sebaceous filaments, or as you may know them, those stubborn blackheads on your nose that just never seem to go away. Most damaging in the long term, is the creation of free radicals in your skin. Free radicals are unstable organic molecules that can damage your cells, and pollution is absolutely full of them. Long term exposure to these free radicals can lead to a process called “oxidative stress” which studies show lead to discoloration, premature aging, wrinkles and scariest of all, skin cancer.

Just like your scalp there are ways to cleanse, repair and protect your skin from the outside forces that damage it. First and foremost, always wear sunscreen when going outside. The sun's UV rays can amplify the effects of oxidative stress, so combating the spread lessens its damage. Check your weather app for pollution levels. If you are able to, avoid extended time outdoors, especially between the hours of 11am to 8pm, or at the very least during rush hour, when pollution is its highest. When looking for products to fight the effects of oxidative stress, antioxidants are your best friend. Look for topical products like moisturizers, creams and serums that sit on the skin with vitamin A, C, or E. The Glo Vita E Essential Cream is a great moisturizer that nourishes your skin, soothes irritation and replenishes much needed nutrients to the skin. Take extra care to cleanse every night to remove the detritus from your skin, bonus points if you oil cleanse, and finish off with skins that repair and strengthen your skin barrier, like Glo’s Microbiome Restoring PM Moisturizer. Finally find products that fight back against the pollution and provide continual protection when you're out and about. The C-Shield Anti-Pollution Drops from Glo are a magnificent option!

With just a few lifestyle changes and simple product swaps you can stay protected from the pollution that unfortunately for now is a staple in our lives. Hopefully one day soon however, with swaps to clean renewable energy, our skin and hair concerns around pollution will be a thing of the past. The more we can do to help our planet, the atmosphere and the air we breathe, the more we can move past daily concerns about pollutants in our air, and enjoy fresh clean skin and hair for much longer.