BEAUTY LOWDOWN
6 ANTI-POLLUTION SKIN PRODUCTS TO KNOW
By Caroline Ferry, 23 November 2017
We’ve always known pollution is bad for us – that’s not new. But, more and more, we’re realising just how ageing that city smog is. As if just being stressed, not getting nearly enough sleep and eating terribly weren’t wrinkle-inducing enough, now there’s pollution (namely, fine matter known as PM 2.5) waiting at the sidelines to age us prematurely, too.
Help is at hand
Got milk?
Embryolisse’s Lait Crème Concentrate is honestly a miraculous wonder – you can use it as a moisturiser, primer, cleanser and mask. And, importantly, it rebuilds the hydrolipidic film that protects the skin from pollution. This is way creamier than it is milky, which my combination skin loves, and because it is so gentle and unfragranced, feels amazing and protective on every bit of the face. Don’t worry about getting it under your eyes or on dry lips.
Boost me up, Indeed
What’s great is, since The Ordinary made using chemistry-lab-esque pipettes a thing, I wasn’t freaked out in the slightest by this slick, science-y serum. What’s different about this one, which I love, is that you don’t have to apply it as an extra step in your regime – just add a few drops to your moisturiser or foundation and, hey presto, you’re protected from pollution and UV rays. Makes those alarm-didn’t-go-off Mondays a whole lot stressful.
Mist on point
I was dubious about this one cos the colour was a little too minty mouthwash for my liking but, actually, I’m totally converted. It has no fragrance at all, and even when your skin feels a little tight after a hot shower, there’s no sting at all once you get misting. The NIOD spray feels different to a hydrating or refreshing mist because it dries instantly, so there's no wet face to contend with while you wait to put your make-up on. It only takes a couple of spritzes, too, so although it is pricey it will last a really long time.
Protect and serve
If the skin is all our body has to block out pollution and UV damage, it comes as no surprise that eventually that takes its toll, and effects of photo-ageing (also called dermatoheliosis) come in the form of wrinkles and dark spots. Great, I hear you say. Well, this oil is here to help and is actually great. It's very gentle – I only needed a tiny drop on cleansed, preferably wet skin before bed and the signs of photo-ageing began to reduce, honestly, in about 10 days. Got nothing but praise for this under-a-tenner-legend.
The Ordinary Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil 30ml, $20
Pictures: Miles Drury
Crafternoon delight
If you were one of those kids that made your own avocado hair and face masks, this one's for you. Detox Dust’s job is to flush out all the rubbish your skin absorbs during the day – like a really intense cleanser. The fun part is that you mix it up yourself, popping a spoon of the dust in with water, oil, honey or yogurt (I tried water and it didn’t smell great, so next time tried it with a face oil and it was much better). Leave on for 10 minutes and your moneymaker should be pollution-free and feeling fine. My skin felt cooler and calmer, which is the opposite to how masks usually leave my sensitive skin.
