Summer & The City: The best products to survive urban pollution and protect your skin from environmental aggressors
Living in the city is energetic, enthusiastic, surprising and inspiring. Whether you were born in it, moved there in your teenage or opted for a job there, the big city life has a unique load of vibes and sensations that not many other places in the world can give. However, as stimulating for our creativity and independence these sceneries can be, they could also be truly harmful for our skin. Think about air pollution from industries, local transportations, cigarette smokes, exhaust fumes and heavy-metal emissions, UV rays, only to name a few. A short walk on a crowded street or a quick journey on the underground can be more dangerous for our skin than we ever thought. So, what should we protect ourselves from and why?
It’s no mystery that the exposure to UV rays is quite damaging, but there is also an often-underrated component in the air we breathe every day that does no good to the skin.
Ozone, the toxic gas generated when UV light hits mono-nitrogen oxides (basically, combustion exhaust) is thought to be one of the primary causes of pollution-related skin damages. And the bad news is that we’re continuously exposed to it. The harming effect of ozone happens on our lipids, fats that bind skin cells together. Ozone has the power to oxidize the lipids and breaks down the barrier function causing inflammation and other damages that unfortunately, are only visible in the long term.
Pollutant elements generate free radicals on the surface of the skin. This leads to sensitivity and when the level of free radicals exceeds our own skin’s defense mechanisms, the skin cells turn into a state of oxidative stress. This stress state leads to a number of adverse reactions, like premature aging, pigmentation, dullness and sallowness.
So now you may be wondering, what can counteract the effects of pollution? The answer is: antioxidant (i.e. Vitamin C and E). However, we also have to think about how to protect and restore the skin barrier. In this sense, is crucial to cleanse your skin without stripping the essential oils. Our skin is our main shield, and when its defenses are undermined, we need to repair it as quickly as possible.
Too much information? Don’t worry, we’re here to make things easy! And for this occasion, we have compiled a list of the best products to protect your skin from all the city nasties and repair it when damages occur. So you can carry on enjoying the big city buzz and let your complexion be healthy at its own pace!
Let’s go step by step and start with...
STEP 1: CLEANSING
SHIVA ROSE - BLUE BUTTER CLEANSING BALM
A luxurious, blue butter, that lovingly melts away makeup, pollution, and free radicals to leave skin supple, clean and glowing. Using beautifully rich nourishing oils like sandalwood nut, argan, jojoba, shea, camellia and Olive squalane to help build the cell structures of the skin, while gently clearing away impurities. These sumptuous oils are blended with sacred and powerful scents like frankincense, myrrh and elemi that have been use since biblical times to elevate the heart, mind and spirit. Using oil to cleanse the skin helps protect the natural lipid layer and keep the micro biome of the skin intact.
TATA HARPER – PURIFYING GEL CLEANSER
This gel-to-oil cleanser is your daily detox treatment. The Purifying Cleanser purges impurities from pollution to help fight the visible aging effects of free radicals to give you renewed, fresh looking skin.
STEP 2: EXFOLIATING
WILDCRAFTED ORGANICS – NATIVE HYBISCUS ACTIVE ENZYME POLISH
A water activated enzyme powder exfoliant and deep cleansing masque. This exquisite selection of botanicals, vitamins and clays is a two part process that produces immediate skin brightening results. Firstly the Rice powder and clays gently absorb and sweep away debris and impurities. Then the papaya enzymes and salicylic acid in the white willow powder help disperse of any excess dead skin cells. Now for your daily dose of collagen regenerating & skin brightening vitamin C.
A blend of 100% pure botanical actives Rosewood, Lemon, Lavender and Geranium, this intensive treatment supports the skin’s natural renewal cycle to replenish and resurface the skin for a flawless complexion. It boosts elasticity whilst it refines visible pores and imperfections for brighter more beautiful looking skin. Providing a double cleansing action, it also helps to eliminate daily pollution accumulated on the skin. An aromatic skin perfector, it leaves skin healthy, smooth and luminous, whilst it also works to uplift the senses.
STEP 3: TONING
ODACITÉ SKINCARE - HYDRA-REPAIR ALOE + IMMORTELLE TREATMENT MIST
This rejuvenating facial mist is a very effective and innovative way to infuse your skin with age-defying actives and perfect hydration. Fresh Aloe Vera and Hyaluronic Acid infuse the skin with perfect hydration and help restore a dewy, plump appearance. Chamomile’s soothing properties work on reducing the look of redness. Immortelle essential oil is known for its stimulating properties, helping to promote fresh and healthy-looking skin. Sea Fennel extract helps combat the appearance of puffiness, especially around the eyes. This mist instantly brings back comfort and glow to the skin.
RANAVAT – ROYAL TONIQUE HYDRATING JASMINE MIST
Jasmine Flower is the ultimate hydrator. It’s packed with antioxidants defending against environmental stressors and free radicals. Ranavat’s jasmine is sourced from a beautiful garden in west India and each spray brings you closer to this magical place.
STEP 4: SERUMS
UBUNA – RESIST ANTI-POLLUTION SERUM
Ceramide Anti-Body Complex combines with Actinidia Polyglama Fruit (Silver Vine) extract from Japan to help protect against lipo oxidation caused by external environmental aggressors.
Strengthen the skin’s defense mechanisms to support regeneration and enhance your skin’s moisture with this nutrient-dense oil. With five types of algae and extracts from amaranth, chia, pomegranate, cardamom and rosemary seeds this botanical blend helps to reverse the negative effects of oxidative stress, pollution, UV irradiation, extreme atmospheric conditions and sleep deprivation to restore skin firmness and add a healthy glow.
Champion active Echinacea prolongs the youth of skin cells and heightens the skin’s resilience to environmental pollution, detoxifying, balancing and strengthening as it goes. Urban stress melts away as the skin feeds on anti-oxidants Gotu Kola and Green Tea, which work with collagen-boosting Marine compounds and hydration-enhancing Squalane. Purifying Niaouli and reviving White Willow help purge cells of impurities to pave the way for a dewy, wholesome countenance. An antidote to urban grime, this daily defence leaves your skin clear, cushioned and looking healthy.
SUSANNE KAUFFMANN – POLLUTION SKIN DEFENSE SYSTEM
This powerful treatment helps to protect the skin against environmental damage, whilst also working to boost its own repair mechanisms and return moisture to the skin. This new system consists of three perfectly matched vials containing powerful concentrations of Vitamin C, Ectoin and Q10, which have been designed to be used together as a 15-day regimen. The ampoules form a comprehensive multilayered protection that shields the skin from free radicals and negative environmental influences to preserve youthfulness, radiance and an even complexion.
CECILIA HOLISTIC BEAUTY – GOLDEN GLOW SERUM
A bouquet of precious rejuvenating botanical elixirs. Full of carotenoids, vitamins, antioxidants and omega to firm, nourish and donate your skin a velvety ageless glow. Prickly Pear enriched with Turmeric gold crystals provides plumping and brightening action. Beautifully absorbed, this serum infuses your skin with Rose Absolute feminine notes. Biotechnological Zinc nanoparticles protect your skin from UV rays. A daily golden shield to sun, pollution and climate change.
STEP 5: CREAMS & SPF
This essential-oil free nourishing balm is full of precious ingredients that protect skin and boost its glow. Hazelnut, rosehip seed, rare rose extracts, jasmine sambac and Indian tuberose fortify skin with essential fatty acids and vitamins A, B, C, and E, which stimulate regeneration, repair UV damage, and soften fine lines.
COOLA – MINERAL SPF 30 FACE MATTE
A featherweight daily sunscreen, COOLA’s Face SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturiser is enriched with a cocktail of antioxidants and physical sun filters, to provide sustained protection from both UV rays and everyday environmental stress. Completely invisible and non-greasy with a demi-matte finish, it’s the perfect way to delay the skin-ageing process.
ODACITE’ SKINCARE – SUN GUARDIAN
Mineral broad spectrum zinc oxide SPF 30 UVA+UVB that protects from sun damage, pollution and blue light. Bursting with skin-perfecting minerals and marine nutrients, Oceanic Glacial Water supports hydrated comfortable skin. Rich in soothing Aloe and Calendula to calm the skin from the irritating effect of UV light as well as blue light.