For that smog free skin

With toxic air containing smoke, acid, soot and other pollutant crossing the danger mark at major cities in India, pollution has become buzzword nowadays. The air pollution in metro cities is not just bad for your lungs, it can also wreak havoc on your hair and skin causing a multitude of ailments from premature ageing to blocked pores to pigmentation. The presence of urban pollution caused by car emissions, air conditioning particles, dust and smoke takes a toll on the environment and your health leading to allergies, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and black spots on the face.

The toxic haze creates a layer of microscopic chemicals, twenty times smaller to our pore size which allows them to infiltrate deeper layers of the outer skin causing redness, puffiness, dark spots and dry, uncomfortable, fragile skin. If you live in an urban area, pollution is an unavoidable part of modern city life. The good news is that there is a solution to prevent pollution from causing damage to our skin by taking some preventive measures and use of herbal products.

Look out for products with ingredients like sandalwood, eucalyptus, mint, neem, tulsi, aloe vera, etc, when you buy cleansers. The antitoxic and tonic properties of such ingredients have helped in clearing the skin congestion and eruptions that result from exposure to chemical pollutants. Aloe vera, for example, is also a powerful moisturiser and an antioxidant. So are ingredients like apricot kernel oil, carrot seed, wheat germ oil, etc.
The skin needs to be protected. If the skin is prone to eruptive conditions like acne, pimples, rash, it should be protected with specialised creams that not only protect but also reduce oiliness and deal with the problem.

After cleansing, wipe the skin with a rose-based skin tonic or rose water, to complete the cleansing process and refresh the skin. Soak cotton wool in chilled rose water and tone the skin with it, patting briskly. It also improves blood circulation to the skin surface and adds a glow. Green tea also makes a good skin toner. If there is a rash or eruptions, add a little rose water to sandalwood paste and apply on the face. Wash off with plain water after 15 minutes.

Anti-pollution cosmetics help to provide protection and reduce the damage caused by environmental effects. These are basically “cover creams” that form a barrier between the skin and pollutants. Sandalwood protective cream is very useful to protect the skin from environmental effects. It forms a transparent protective cover. Sandalwood soothes the skin and protects it from irritative reactions and eruptive conditions. It suits all skin types and increases the skin’s moisture retention ability too.