The City Girl's Guide To Skincare

Just recently I made the move from rural countryside village to the big city. Living slap bang in the middle of the city is amazing; everything is now on my doorstep as apposed to an hour's drive away (hello 24 hour coffee shops and late night Thai food). However, one thing I wasn't quite expecting is that my skin now faces a whole new range of problems that it's never had to deal with before.

The sheer number of cars, buses and taxis on the roads has led to a huge spike in pollution. As a society, we are fully aware of the implications this has on the environment but it's not quite as widely known the damage it can have on our skin.

Free radical damage

As with UV light, air pollution creates free radicals in our skin. Free radicals are unstable atoms that try to cling onto healthy ones to stabilize themselves. Unfortunately for us, these tend to be our skin cells, damaging our healthy cells and causing premature signs of ageing to develop.

Loss of keratin

City air contains hundreds of pollutants that have been found to destroy keratin, a vital skin protein that prevents moisture loss. When keratin is destroyed, it can cause a dull and dry appearance to the skin, worsening the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Barrier damage

Our skin's defense barrier is there to protect us against external aggressors, but the constant onslaught can damage this vital barrier if we don't give it a helping hand. Particles as small as 0.1 of a micrometre can penetrate into our skin, causing inflammation and damage to our natural collagen reserves.

What to include in your routine

A gentle cleanser: The Dermaviduals DMS Cleansing Milk is great as it cleanses away oil, dirt and impurities while maintaining a healthy barrier function. A powerful antioxidant: When it comes to antioxidants, remember, it's strength in numbers. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic contains a blend of antioxidants to protect skin against environmental stresses. A hyaluronic serum: To prevent skin looking dry, dull and lifeless, use a hyaluronic acid serum to deeply hydrate and plump up the skin.

Struggling with the perils of city skin?

Let our skincare experts help by calling 0113 282 7744.

Written for you by: Ellie, Face the Future