5 Ways To Protect Your Skin From External Pollutants!

Dr. M Sudha

Table of Contents

Experts say that the secret to healthy skin is good diet & exercise, but is that enough with the rising levels of pollution? Let’s find out.

Recent research has shown that pollution from different sources like air, water & food can cause significant damage to our skin. It causes the immune system to produce excessive melanin, thereby darkening the skin. This leads to a loss of shine & our skin doesn’t appear as vibrant as it used to. This means that apart from ageing, there are external factors we have to worry about.

Here are some simple tips to protect your skin from daily pollution.  

Avoid Chlorine Exposure: Chlorine is commonly found in treated water. Spending a lot of time in swimming pools, or taking long showers leaves your skin exposed. Chlorine tends to strip away from the skin, its essential oils & makes it dry. If unchecked, the skin can crack & darken over time.

The best remedy is to keep your skin moisturized. Try using a moisturizer daily after shower, this keeps your skin soft & hydrated.  

Cleansing: Using a cleanser to clean your face & neck works wonders in keeping daily dirt away. Remember to wash your face twice a day to avoid dirt build up.

Use a sunscreen: Since the dangers of UV radiation became common knowledge, more and more people avoid the sun. Mainly due to harmful UV radiation, which causes premature ageing of the skin and may even lead to skin cancer. However, you don't need to avoid the beach on a good day anymore.

Get a sunscreen, it protects the skin from free radicals, which cause the skin to become loose & dull. A good sunscreen also helps to avoid melanin build up, thereby keeping a check on skin darkening.

Exfoliate or scrubbing:  Skin cleansing through exfoliating, is a great way for the skin to get rid of all the dirt & grime. Exfoliating the skin on a regular basis helps keep it clean, & throws out unwanted elements away from it. A good scrub can get the job done, just remember to be gentle.

Eat & drink right:
The right set of nutrients are an essential booster for our skin to fight daily damage from free radicals & pollutants in the air & water. Eating foods rich in Vitamin C help the skin, reverse damages caused on a daily basis.

Water is the essence of life; a balanced intake of fluids & water keeps your skin hydrated & healthy. Water helps with skin elasticity & cell growth & keeps the skin healthy.  5-7 glasses of water daily, can make a difference, try it out.

Outdoor & indoors, pollution is all around us. It is in the air we breathe, the water we drink. Over the years there has been a phenomenal rise in the number of anti-pollution skincare products. However, we need to ensure that we do not blindly expose our skin to harmful ones. Though we try our best, to keep our skin away from all the harm; making these simple steps a part of your lifestyle can greatly enhance the quality of your skin.


For more tips on how to keep your skin young & vibrant, consult a dermatologist online on DocsApp.

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Dr. M Sudha

MBBS, DVD - Dermatology