Skin Care Tips For City Dwellers
Everyday stresses from city living and exposure to harmful pollutants can cause a city dweller’s skin to weather even faster than fresh country sunlight. Many skin care companies today emphasize the anti-aging benefits of their products, when really, problems like pigmentation, rough or dull skin, even premature wrinkles, aren’t the result of getting older, but of exposure to sunlight, smog, and cigarette smoke. Taking care of our skin doesn’t have to be a losing battle against aging, it can be a simple routine that keeps our skin looking fresh and healthy.
Since city dwellers walk everywhere, sunscreen is the most important product we can use. Sunscreen should have an SPF of at least 30, and should be applied to any area of the body exposed to sunlight, not just the face. Some newer products are starting to include an Environmental Protection Factor (EPF) as well, which means that the products contain antioxidants to protect against free radicals and other environmental pollutants.
It’s important to cleanse and moisturize the face twice a day, not just in the morning. Even if you don’t wear makeup, pollutants and dead skin cells build up in layers throughout the day. Foaming cleansers remove the buildup and clean all the way to the pores, but are still gentle and refreshing. If you do wear makeup, consider using the increasingly popular mineral powders, which provide lightweight coverage that doesn’t clog pores.
Regular exfoliation is also important, and you can take your skin care a step further by using products containing allantoin. Allantoin comes from the comfrey plant, and it helps the skin shed old cells gently, while stimulating new cell growth. A regular skin care routine that keeps skin clear, clean, and hydrated is the most important factor in protecting skin from the results of city living.