Experts Reveal How to Protect Your Skin From Pollution and Build an Anti-Pollution Skincare Routine
Pollution is all around us. From cigarette smoke to smog, our skin falls prey to various pollution particles lingering in the air. So what are we supposed to do? Stay inside all the time? Walk around in a bubble? It’s a hard pass on the first one, though you might convince us on the bubble. All jokes aside, the key to protecting your complexion from environmental pollutants comes down to the skincare products you use and how you use them. We spoke with a variety of skin experts to learn how you can maintain your skin’s health when you step outside into a world of free radicals. Consider this your ultimate guide to anti-pollution skincare.
Meet the Expert
Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, is a leading board-certified dermatologist practicing at Medical Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Center in New York City. Dr. Garshick is also a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medicine.
Candace Marino, better known in Hollywood as The LA Facialist, has been a medical aesthetician for nearly two decades, developing custom complexion protocols and unique techniques.
Serene Obagi, NP-C, is a nurse practitioner, specializing in cosmetic procedures, collaborating closely with her father at the esteemed ZO Skin Centre® at locations across Southern California.
Ava Shamban, MD, has a distinguished career, spanning three decades, as one of the most well-respected board-certified cosmetic dermatologists. She is the ultimate expert for patients seeking a results-driven, less invasive, and more natural approach to aesthetics.
Annie Lam, better known as @estie.bunny, is a licensed esthetician and skincare educator who is passionate about all things skincare, beauty, and wellness.
What Are the Effects of Pollution on Your Skin?
You may already know pollution is bad (after all, who doesn’t?), but just how bad is it? Long story short, it isn’t great for your skin. “Pollution can generate free radicals, which affect your skin and hair by putting them under oxidative stress,” says Annie Lam, a licensed esthetician and skincare educator. “This can damage skin cells, which can impact your skin's barrier, cause inflammation and redness, and even impact collagen and elastin in your skin.”
The reason pollutants are so damaging is that they “don’t sit on the surface of the skin but are able to penetrate the skin barrier,” shares Candace Marino, better known by Hollywood as The LA Facialist. “This leads to inflammation, dehydration, premature aging, dullness, hyperpigmentation, and breakouts. On hair, it can clog follicles, weaken strands, contribute to buildup, and even cause hair loss.”
Thankfully, all hope is not lost. The experts know the best anti-pollution skincare ingredients to use in your skincare routine, and we’ll break them down for you below.
10 Best Anti-Pollution Skincare Ingredients, According to the Pros
1. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is vital to your skincare routine, especially when it comes to protecting your skin from air pollution. Marino shares that the antioxidant “helps neutralize free radicals and supports collagen production.” Additionally, it can aid in brightening your skin tone. “Vitamin C can help address dark spots and brighten the skin,” says dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD.
We use the CLARA'S NEW YORK Brightening Vitamin C Facial Serum every morning to not only help even discoloration but also to fight fine lines and wrinkles. The rose flower water smells divine, and is the perfect pick-me-up on days when we’re feeling sluggish.
2. Niacinamide
You may recognize niacinamide because it pops up in, well, just about every skincare product we can think of. The mainstay ingredient also offers an incredible line of defense against airborne pollutants and environmental stressors. “It helps to support the skin barrier while also reducing redness, calming the skin, and improving hyperpigmentation,” says Garshick.
Brighten and hydrate with the GLOW RECIPE Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops, which feature antioxidants, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to help moisturize, plump, and even out your skin tone.
3. Ceramides
Because pollution can seep into your pores, you need something that will keep it out—that’s where ceramides come in. “Ceramides stop pollutants from getting access to the skin cells,”board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD, tells IPSY. Block out impurities with the COCOKIND Ceramide Barrier Serum. With a blend of five types of ceramides and lipids, it will help restore your skin’s barrier function and soothe signs of irritation.
4. Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an anti-aging powerhouse. Commonly used in the form of retinol, the nutrient stimulates collagen production to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. As far as protecting against pollution goes, “Vitamin A helps to remove damage by stimulating cell turnover, eliminating the damaged skin cells, and replacing them with healthy skin cells,” shares Serene Obagi, NP-C.
Our go-to vitamin A serum is the SKIN INC Vitamin A Serum because it helps brighten, smooth, and soften while also supporting the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
5. Activated Charcoal
A less likely anti-pollution skincare ingredient, activated charcoal “will help to draw out impurities and detoxify the skin, eliminating the chemicals, particles, and other damaging or toxic substances,” says Dr. Shamban. Get your self-care on with the CLARISEA Deep Pore Detox Activated Charcoal Exfoliating Mask to sop up all that icky gunk buried deep within your pores. It’s especially great for oily skin types who want to get rid of excess sebum (aka oil) to clear their complexion.
6. Moringa Extract
Another antioxidant, moringa extract “binds to pollution particles and helps them rinse off before they penetrate,” Marino says. Mix the FARMACY Whipped Greens Oil-Free Foaming Cleanser, which features moringa seed extract and moringa water, into your skincare routine to wash away any and all pollutants that may be lingering at the end of the day.
7. Green Tea Extract
“Green tea extract is loaded with antioxidants that fight oxidative stress,” notes Marino. Again, oxidative stress weakens your skin’s defense against inflammation, redness, irritation, dullness, dryness, and other skin ailments. Protect your skin barrier by prepping it with the BENTON Deep Green Tea Toner before applying serums and moisturizer.
8. Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrating and nourishing, hyaluronic acid is a savior for dry skin—this is also why it helps protect against pollution. “Hyaluronic acid keeps skin plump and hydrated, countering pollution-induced dryness,” shares Marino. Give the MZ SKIN Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum a spot in your anti-pollution skincare routine. It features five types of hyaluronic acid to hydrate thirsty skin and eishi mushrooms to soothe inflammation and redness, making it ideal for sensitive skin types.
9. Zinc Oxide
Sun protection is crucial for a healthy complexion. “A mineral-based sunscreen with zinc oxide is also vitally important to keeping skin safe from UV rays and pollutants by creating a barrier to access,” says Dr. Shamban. Our go-to is the FIRST AID BEAUTY Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide SPF 30.
10. Magnesium Oxide
Obagi shares that exfoliants are key to sloughing away dead skin cells, dirt, and pollution particles. She recommends using magnesium oxide crystals as an exfoliating ingredient because “they gently sweep the skin surface and can even be used by those with a more sensitive or reactive skin type.” A gentle face scrub we love is the DEW OF THE GODS Feels Microdermabrasion Dry Erase Face Scrub. We feel like we have a whole new face after every use, while also being left with a complexion that feels nourished and moisturized.
How to Build an Anti-Pollution Skincare Routine, Step by Step
Your Guide to a Daytime Skincare Routine
1. Wash Your Face
Kick things off with a gentle cleanse of your complexion. No need to use anything too heavy-duty; something like the ELIZABETH MOTT Vitamin C Cleanser is perfect because it brightens and invigorates without drying. “If you have very dry or sensitive skin, you can just rinse with water,” says Lam.
2. Use an Antioxidant Serum
The vitamin C cleanser adds some antioxidants to your morning skincare routine but you can always use a few more, especially when pollution is in the picture. Garshick reminds us, “An antioxidant serum can help to neutralize free radical damage.” We love the CLARITYRX Take Care Daily™ Antioxidant Red Tea Serum, which contains free radical-fighting antioxidants that are the perfect shield from environmental stressors.
3. Follow With a Barrier-Boosting Serum
Marino suggests strengthening your morning routine with a barrier-supporting serum, like the DERMELECT Rapid Repair Barrier Balancing Serum. “This provides additional support to the skin from environmental stressors, including pollutants,” she notes.
4. Don’t Forget to Moisturize
Your ultimate protection in a bottle, the KOPARI BEAUTY Moisture Whipped Ceramide Cream soothes and hydrates your skin’s moisture barrier for up to 72 hours. Yes, you read that right. Obviously, you need to slather this on before you step out into the pollution-filled world.
5. Finish With SPF
You can’t forget sunscreen. We feel like we shouldn’t need to remind you at this point, but we’re never going to stop until we get our point across. Marino is a fan of the IS CLINICAL Extreme Protect SPF 30 because “it provides SPF 30 coverage and is packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals and blue light damage.”
Your Guide to a Nighttime Skincare Routine
1. Start With a Cleansing Oil
For your nighttime routine, skincare experts Lam and Marino suggest you double cleanse. To start, grab a cleansing oil that can break down makeup, sunscreen, dirt, grime, and the like. The EVEREDEN Nourishing Facial Cleansing Oil contains a blend of nourishing antioxidants and vitamins to help promote a strong skin barrier and protect against environmental stressors.
2. Follow With a Gentle Cleanser
After using a cleansing oil, it’s time to “follow up with a gentle cleanser to remove all excess dirt and impurities,” says Lam. The THIS WORKS Evening Detox Cleansing Water is effective enough to wash away anything lingering from the day while still being gentle on the skin.
3. Try a Toner or Mist
Marino suggests adding a toner or mist as your next step to hydrate and calm the skin before adding your serums. A mist like the DERMALACTIVES Purifying Toner will help purify your skin and reduce inflammation while also getting rid of excess oils, dirt, and debris.
4. Use a Retinol
For the most part, the only serum you really need to use at night is a retinol. Retinol helps with cell turnover to refresh your skin while you sleep, leaving you with a renewed complexion when you wake up. CLARA'S NEW YORK Stimulating Retinol Facial Serum is a staple in our nighttime routine because it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin but effectively helps minimize fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Finish With a Moisturizer
To lock in all the hard work you’ve done, you need a heavy-duty moisturizer. Something like the SACHEU BEAUTY We Occlusive - Overnight Moisturizer—which features lipids, ceramides, and squalene to deeply nourish and replenish the skin’s natural moisture—will help you wake up to a hydrated complexion.
Don’t Forget About What You Put in Your Body
Anti-pollution beauty doesn’t stop with your skincare routine. What you put in your body also plays a role in how your skin bounces back. Dr. Shamban suggests “eating an antioxidant-rich diet with lots of green leafy vegetables and fruits to help fight free radical damage.” Things like berries, beets, nuts, and even dark chocolate (yum) are ideal to incorporate into your diet. Marino highlights the importance of supplements. Her personal favorite is the AGENT NATEUR Holi Radiance. “It's designed to boost skin hydration, improve elasticity, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Key ingredients include phytoceramides and MSM, which help restore the skin barrier, support collagen and keratin production, and enhance overall skin texture and glow,” she raves.
Additionally, the experts stress the importance of purifying the air around you as best you can. While you may not be able to do that outside, you can certainly do that inside. “A good air purifier and proper ventilation can be a game changer,” says Marino, who is a fan of the AIRDOCTOR Air Purifiers. If you prefer a greener route, Dr. Shamban notes that “rubber plants, ferns, and spider plants will help to absorb pollutants and pathogens.”
Pollution is everywhere, so you can’t get rid of all of it—but you sure can help protect your skin from some of it.