How to Protect Your Skin From Pollution and Radiation

How to Protect Your Skin From Pollution and Radiation

It’s no secret. Environmental toxins affect our health. Two of the most prominent problems are pollution and radiation, which have a major effect on our bodies, life expectancy, and skin. As a result, it’s important to know how to protect our skin from pollution and radiation. And this article is going to provide the solution. 

What are the main pollutants?

Pollutants are everywhere, but they’re very prevalent in urban cities. In these areas, we come across several types of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide emissions from cars, carbon monoxide, and toxic particles.  

However, there are also secondary pollutants such as ozone that affect us as well. This pollutant is typically known as smog, and it’s a potent respiratory irritant that impacts our lungs. Ozone pollution can trigger coughing, incite asthma attacks, storten life, and cause shortness of breath. 

Currently, the top 10 most ozone-polluted U.S. cities include the following: 

  1. Los Angeles-Long Beach, California
  2. Visalia, California
  3. Bakersfield, California
  4. Fresno-Madera-Hanford, California
  5. Sacramento-Roseville, California
  6. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, California
  7. Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona
  8. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, California
  9. Las Vegas-Henderson, Nevada
  10. Denver-Aurora, Colorado

According to The Lancet medical journal, pollution is the most significant environmental cause of disease and premature death in the world. The report claims that pollution is responsible for approximately nine million early deaths. What’s worse is that the effects of radiation follow closely behind it.

What is radiation? 

We are exposed to both natural and manmade sources of radiation on a daily basis. Some natural sources include soil, water, and vegetation. And man-made sources of radiation come from medical devices and x-rays.  

The type of radiation and the amount that we absorb determine the impact it has on our body. But because society doesn’t properly use or contain radiation, we usually feel the harmful effects. And what’s worse, radiation — regardless of the category or amount — leads to tissue and organ damage.

How do pollution and radiation damage the skin?

New research continues to prove that pollution and radiation also have unpleasant effects on our skin. According to Doris Day, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center, “Pollution can cause uneven skin tone, accelerated aging, and even skin cancer.” A study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology also found that women exposed to increased pollution experienced more dark spots and wrinkling. 

We often make the mistake of thinking the sun is the only element we need to protect our skin from, but today, that’s not the case. In 2018, about 27 million tons of pollution was emitted into the air throughout the United States. When that pollution makes contact with our skin, it penetrates the epidermis, causing inflammation, dehydration, and loss of elasticity. Pollution also breaks down collagen and the lipid layer in our skin. 

However, pollution is not the only environmental toxin that impacts our skin. Radiation also affects the atoms in our living cells and damages their genetic material. Luckily, our cells are very efficient at repairing the damage. But if our bodies don’t repair the damage correctly, the cells may die or even become cancerous. 

How to protect your skin from pollution and radiation

Avoiding pollution and radiation entirely is merely impossible. So what can we do to protect our skin? Certain ingredients in natural CBD skincare products can give us the best care and protection so that we have healthy skin. 

1. Grapeseed oil

Grapeseed oil contains high levels of linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid that can help manage acne by controlling clogged pores. It also protects the skin barrier to support smooth, soft skin. What’s better is that grapeseed oil is also anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin.

2. Acetylated glucuronic acid

Acetylated glucuronic acid increases elastin synthesis to smooth out wrinkles and moisturize the skin.  This nutrient also increases skin suppleness and resistance against environmental toxins like pollution and radiation.

3. Plankton extract

Plankton extract is deeply moisturizing and soothing. It provides anti-aging and anti-wrinkle benefits for our skin, and it supplies the skin (and hair!) with natural minerals and vitamins. Plankton extract is also great for sensitive and irritated skin.

4. Pomegranate oil

Pomegranate oil helps protect our skin against UV damage. It is a potent anti-inflammatory and facilitates cell regeneration, which helps us combat the effects of radiation. Pomegranate oil is also moisturizing and nourishing.  

5. Green caviar

Green caviar is a type of green algae that we can eat. It is often called “longevity seaweed” because it has a high concentration of minerals. These algae contain vitamin C, vitamin E, and polysaccharides. Green caviar also reduces inflammation and helps protect our skin against oxidation and lipid peroxidation.

6. Combination of flax and celery seed extracts

These seed extracts bring firmness, tone, and density to the skin. These benefits reinforce the structure that holds our pore tight so that our skin doesn’t sag as we age. Flax and celery seed extracts also refine our skin texture, promote a satin finish, and protect us against inflammation. 

7. Horehound stem cells

This nutrient protects our skin cells from the penetration of pollutants. Horehound stem cells remove and neutralize toxic oxidants that damage proteins and lipid structures and detoxify the cells from waste that is generated by pollution. 

Horehound stem cells also strengthen the skin barrier and stimulate natural antioxidants in the skin. In addition, this powerhouse nutrient repairs cell metabolism by reducing inflammation.

8. Edelweiss stem cell

Edelweiss stem cell protects against oxidative stress like air pollution and UV radiation. They include a high concentration of phenolic acid and flavonoids that prevent UV-induced damage.

9. Frankincense essential oil

Frequently called the “king of oils,” frankincense helps reduce the appearance of skin imperfections like dry skin, wrinkles, and age spots. This nutrient also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. 

10. Rose essential oil

Rose essential oil is anti-inflammatory and a potent antioxidant. As a result of its antioxidant properties, this nutrient can protect our skin from free radicals, which cause cell damage.  

11. Petitgrain essential oil

Petitgrain essential oil reduces the appearance of imperfections on the skin. It also helps promote elasticity, which is affected when our skin comes into contact with pollution.

12. Jasmine essential oil

Jasmine is helpful for dry, aging skin. In low concentrations, it’s used to treat eczema and dermatitis. However, jasmine is also great for those of us who want to fade scars on our skin.

13. Lavender essential oil

Lavender essential oil is a versatile, multi-purpose nutrient. It has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. Lavender essential oil is also known for its antispasmodic, analgesic, and detoxifying effects. But one of its main advantages is its ability to soothe minor skin irritations.  

Unfortunately, we live in a world full of environmental toxins. Short of confining ourselves to a protective bubble, there is nothing we can do to avoid coming in contact with pollutants and radiation. However, luckily, nature has provided us with useful tools if we want to lessen the negative effects of pollutions and radiation. 

Now that you know how to protect your skin from pollution and radiation, share the knowledge with someone else! Pass this article to a friend or family member who loves the outdoors just as much as you.

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