It’s now been 18 months since we first documented the impending rise of {polluaging} – at that point, a little-known phrase which felt niche and Korea-centric. Fast forward to now, and ‘anti-pollution’ products are becoming ever more ubiquitous, with a new protective powerhouse launched every other day. So what’s triggered the anti-pollution revolution, and which of the new swathe of products do you need in your routine?
Now that we’ve all got the ‘wear sunscreen’ memo, we rarely think about the damaging effects of UV rays. We slather our faces with SPF daily to negate the sun’s ageing efforts. But until recently, we didn’t realise that our skin had yet another nemesis – that everyday exposure to pollutants is degrading precious cells and compromising our complexions’ youthful ‘bloom’.
Packed with DNA-damaging free radicals, the fumes which choke from car exhausts and factories combine to wage a detrimental onslaught – mutating cells’ irreparably and compromising their regenerative capabilities. In the short term, these free radicals can impact on your skin’s protective barrier which leads to redness, sensitivity and inflammation, while in the longer term, these toxins lead to dullness, fine lines and a gradual decline in elasticity and ‘stretch’.
Thankfully, instead of wearing a trendy, hermetically sealed helmet à la astronauts to go about your business, we’ve sourced an abundance of ‘force fields’ for your face, which promise to deflect or neutralise the atmosphere’s aggressors.
BY TERRY’s {Detoxilyn} line-up was made for modern urbanites. Like force fields for your face, this range of heroic hydrators and masks is jam-packed with free radical-fighting actives to deflect elemental aggressors and ward against DNA-damage. Plus, it actively works to reverse the effects of ongoing exposure to gross urban air – brightening, revitalising and boosting skin’s defences.
{Oskia} have spent the last six years developing their {Citylife} range, which boasts a cocktail of free radical-scavenging antioxidants to counteract the impact of exposure to pollutants. Their lightly foaming {Cleansing Concentrate} eliminates the invisible (but detrimental!) residue that ‘sticks’ to skin throughout the day, while the {Citylife Booster} creates an impenetrable shield between complexion and the elements – just add a drop or two to any serum, oil or face cream to intensify its skin-protective properties. This is an absolute essential for those living in a thriving urban area.
VERSO have also acknowledged the need for anti-polluaging products with their {Anti Pollution Mist} – a convenient handbag-compatible spritz which maintains moisture levels while warding against heavy metals and airborne attackers – while de Mamiel’s {Atmosphériques} range is engineered around protecting from the evils of environmental stress.
And there is plenty more where that came from! Our dedicated {anti-pollution} shop-within-a-shop unites the greatest face-defenders from around the globe. From Seoul’s skin saviours (where this emerging ‘trend’ was born) to North American farm-to-face heroes, embrace the latest must-haves proven to pollution-proof your visage.