Part 3/3: Protect skin from pollution - our routine

Anti-pollution is a current, worldwide and growing trend in cosmetics. This trend is a consequence of the growth of awareness concerning the harmfulness of air pollutants to the skin. The cosmetic approach to skin problems caused by air pollutants is topical products with varying active ingredients meant to prevent damage pollutants cause in skin. At the moment there is no internationally regulated or standardised test which could back up a products anti-pollution claims. In this final part of our blog series of three we'll take a look at how and with what ingredients to protect skin from the effect of pollutants.

A routine to protect skin from air pollutants

Since different types of air pollutants have different effects on skin, your skincare routine should be able to address different needs.

1. Gentle, but effective cleansing of the skin removes cumulated pollution particles and dead skin cells from skin. Try our mild but effective Milk Cleanser.
2. Hydrating skin strenghtens the structure and functionality of the skin barrier and also lessens trans epidermal water loss (the water that evaporates from the skin). Try our Balancing Essence or our Calming or Clarifying Serums.
3. Using products rich in antioxidants adds to skins own antioxidant resources, lessens skin inflammation, restrains skins melanin production, and promotes the synthesis of collagen and elastin. Try our light, nourishing Face Cream.
4. Choose a suitable sunscreen to protect skin from the sun's harmful UV-rays. Don't know which type of sunscreen to pick for your sensitive and/or problem skin? Check out our blog here!

Ingredients to look for:

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are ingredients that slow down, prevent or remove the damages done by free radicals. Skin naturally contains antioxidants to prevent oxidization and to protect skin from oxidative stress and its damages. However, the sun's radiation and other harmful environmental factors reduce the amount of antioxidants in skin, which leads to an overload of free radicals. Topical antioxidants in skincare products can supplement skin's own antioxidants and potentially prevent the skin damage caused by oxidative stress. Many natural antioxidants also have anti-inflammatory properties.

You'll find antioxidants in e.g., our Face Cream, in the form of honokiol and magnolol.

Madecassoside

Many, both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that madecassoside, derived from in the Centella asiatica plant is an effective wound healing compound. It also works as an antioxidant and promotes collagen synthesis. Madecassoside treats skin inflammation by reducing the amount of inflammatory mediators and promoting the formation of certain keratinocydes and hyaluronic acid. This significantly increases the moisture levels of skin. Madecassoside also has potential skin protecting properties.

We use madecassoside in our Calming Serum. Read more about madecassoside here.

Ectoin

Ectoin protects skin from harmful external factors. For example, it has the ability to reduce skin damage, such as pigmentation and skin aging, caused by oxidative and inflammatory factors (due to pollutants). Topically used, ectoin improves skin moisture balance and the functionality of the skin barrier. Studies also show that ectoin reduces the damage that UV-radiation, infrared and visible light cause to skin's DNA on various cellular levels. Additionally, studies have shown that ectoin can protect skin cells from the unwanted effects of UVA-radiation, such as photoaging. Due to its water binding capabilities, ectoin is also useful ingredient when taking care of dry and atopic skin, giving skin a smoother appearance.

We have used ectoin in our Balancing Essence (and our Calming and Clarifying serums, too. That's how good an ingredient it is!). Read more about ectoin here.

Algica – algae derived silica

A good, skin-purifying ingredient effectively binds water to itself and absorbs oils well. In cosmetics, Algica, algae-derived silica, is a moisturising, purifying ingredient that also protects from air pollutants. Its ability to bind great amounts of water makes algae-derived silica an excellent humectant preventing water from evaporating off the skin. Studies suggest that a gel containing algae-derived silica can potentially reduce the amount of air pollutants getting into skin and therefore reduce their harmful effects.

We have used algae-derived silica in our Clarifying Serum. Read more about silica here.

This article is based on a thesis produced for Laponie by Vilma Merikanto, a Bachelor of Beauty and Cosmetics an Laurea University of Applied Sciences.