How to Protect Your Skin from External Factors and Air Pollution

Your skin, the largest organ of your body, acts as a protective barrier against environmental irritants. Because of this, caring for the skin is essential in order for it to be a strong protective barrier for the health of your body. External factors can strongly affect the skin barrier and health and can result in aggravating breakouts, exacerbated skin conditions, and more. From sun exposure to pollution, understanding these external influences can help you better combat them to maintain your skin’s health and clarity. Here are some of the external factors that can influence your skin long-term and short-term, with our product recommendations on how to combat these negative influences. 

1. Sun Exposure

The sun is the biggest external factor that affects the skin negatively. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause a range of skin issues, from sunburn to premature aging and even skin cancer. The negative effects of the sun can be both short-term and long-term, so it’s extremely important to protect your skin with SPF to avoid the many skin issues caused by too much sun. Here are some of the negative effects caused by UV rays:

Short-Term Effects: Immediate effects of excessive sun exposure include sunburn, hyperpigmentation, and dry, flaky skin.

Long-Term Effects: Over time, UV radiation can lead to wrinkles, skin discoloration and sunspots, loss of skin elasticity, and cancer, such as melanoma. 

Combat the long-term negative effects of UV exposure with:

Epionce Daily Shield SPF helps prevent sunburn while decreasing the risk of skin cancer and developing early skin aging caused by the sun

Epionce Medical Barrier Cream provides a moisture surge to sensitive and compromised skin types to combat the sun’s drying effects

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection is a lightweight mineral sunscreen with tinted color coverage immediately evens skin tone for a flawless look.

2. Outdoor Air Pollution

Air pollution is a less visible, but equally damaging factor for the skin. Even though you may not notice the pollution in the air, it can affect your skin. Pollutants in the environment have the ability to penetrate the skin, leading to various skin problems including dehydration and aging. It is important to take into account all the things that could possibly damage your skin so that you can be prepared and protected. Here’s a list of possible skin concerns caused by pollution:

Short-Term Effects: Exposure to polluted air can cause irritation, redness, and breakouts, especially in individuals with sensitive skin. Here are some Products for irritated skin.

Long-Term Effects: Chronic exposure accelerates skin aging and exacerbates conditions like eczema, acne, and psoriasis. Pollutants generate free radicals, which damage skin cells and degrade collagen. For an anti-aging line with gentle and calming ingredients, our pick is the Epionce line: Epionce calming products.

Combat air pollution with these skin care picks: 

Revision Pore Purifying Clay Mask is an intensive mask that noticeably refines the appearance of pores and deeply cleanses skin, leaving it polished and smooth 

Soothing Facial Rinse calms the skin with its alcohol-free formula that gently tones the skin with a blend of plant and algae extracts

Reactive+ Antioxidant Serum This antioxidant blend protects the skin against free radical damage from air pollutants and the sun

If you want to learn more about the effects of pollution and  urban living on your skin, you can refer to our How Urban Living Can Contribute to Skin Congestion blog.

3. Indoor Pollutants and Air Systems

Both air conditioning and heating systems can reduce indoor humidity, leading to dry and dehydrated skin. Just like moisturizing your skin, it is just as important to keep your air hydrated. You can invest in a humidifier or open a window to let the humidity in. The Revision Hydrating Serum is helpful if you are experiencing dry and dehydrated skin. It features two forms of hyaluronic acid, a powerful blend of natural fruit extracts, antioxidants, and peptides that leave the skin feeling hydrated and refreshed.

Another factor you wouldn’t normally consider when addressing skin concerns are the indoor pollutants in your environment. Dust, mold, and other indoor pollutants can cause allergic reactions and deeply irritate the skin. If are experiencing irritated skin, the Epionce is known for calming and soothing products, like the Renewal Calming Cream which reduces itching and redness. 

4. Climate 

The climate you live in also significantly affects your skin in various ways. Factors such as extreme temperatures, humidity, and other environmental elements can cause distinct skin issues. In Chicago, residents may experience more severe, dry winds and cold temperatures which can also be a damaging factor. Wind can also strip away the skin’s natural oils causing windburn. However, in areas with high humidity like Miami, you should opt for oil-free and non-comedogenic products. Here are some more ways the climate can damage skin:

Short-Term Effects: The cold, dry weather can dehydrate your skin and cause irritation. Indoor pollutants like mold and dust cause allergic reactions and also irritate the skin. 

Long-Term Effects: If you are consistently in an extremely dry climate, your skin can adapt and develop increased oil production to protect your skin, which can then lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and overall increased sensitivity. Additionally, heat can exacerbate conditions like rosacea and skin irritation.

 

Protect with: 

Epionce Renewal Facial Lotion moisturizes and also reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging

Alastin Gentle Cleanser is a self-foaming cleanser that rids the skin of impurities without drying out or irritating the skin

Revision Hydrating Serum provides a long-term hydration boost ideal for all skin types

Despite so many factors that affect our skin being out of our control, there are behaviors within our control to maintain skin health and clarity. Primarily, it’s essential to use skincare products that do not have any harsh chemicals, fragrances, and preservatives. The products you consistently use on your skin can either protect and improve it or aggravate and worsen it. Harsh chemicals, fragrances, and certain preservatives can irritate the skin and disrupt its natural barrier, so make sure to look for medical-grade skin care products or high-quality products with a gentle ingredient list, like the products we listed above. It is recommended to patch-test new products before full application to be sure that there won’t be any allergic reaction or breakout, and consult a professional for personalized skincare recommendations.

Opt for products suited to your specific skin type, skin concerns, and skin goals. Focus on gentle, hydrating, and nourishing ingredients to combat all of the external factors that can influence our skin in a negative way.

Understanding the external factors that affect your skin is the first step toward protecting it. By taking proactive measures—such as using sunscreen, cleansing thoroughly, choosing appropriate skincare products, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle—you can mitigate these risks and promote healthy, radiant skin. Remember, your skin is a reflection of your overall health, so treating it with care is how to treat ourselves with care.