Hazy Days Are Back: How To Protect Your Skin From Pollutants

how to protect skin against pollution singapore

It’s that time of the year again, where we need to brace ourselves for the smoky smell in the air. While there isn’t much we can do to prevent the haze from reaching our “airspace”, there are actions we can take to mitigate the effects it will have on our skin. 
 
Before we dive into the preventive measures you can take to protect your skin from the haze, here are some snapshots about air pollution you may want to know:
 
  1. It is very likely that your skin is being exposed to significant pollution every single day. Unlike the sun, there's little we can do to limit our exposure to air pollution -- particularly in an urban city like Singapore.
  2. The effect of the pollutants on your skin varies between individuals, and depends on the duration of environmental exposure daily. Think about how much time you spent outside the building today.
When our city is engulf in haze or smog, our exposure to pollutants increases. When that happens, the antioxidants at the surface of our skin may decrease, speeding up skin aging. The tendency of skin related problems, such as dryness, eczema and acne, may also increase.
 

Haze in Singapore 2019

It’s sensible that we take measures to prevent the harmful effects the haze will have on our skin. For starter, drink lots of water. It helps hydrate your skin and increase cell production. Consider wearing sunscreen on your face and neck daily as well, even on cloudy days, to protect your skin from damage.

It is also important for you to wash your face daily and don’t forget to apply your moisturizer. There are many anti-pollution products available in the market presently, and it’ll be worthwhile for you to check them out to determine which is suitable for your needs. If you are a busy professional, or a stay-home mom who simply can’t find time to research and shop for the right product (yes, we know this is time consuming), perhaps a better option is to seek advice from a skincare professional for your entire skin management regime, who will be able to direct you to the right preventive treatment and products in no time.

While it is impossible to avoid pollution in totality, these simple steps will help reduce damages to your skin in the “hazy days” ahead.