By
Rachel G. Horn
on Thursday, January 14, 2010 in Anti-Aging
Los Angeles may be known for sexy celebrities and glamour, but it's also known as one of the smoggiest cities in America. After living in LA for six years, I started to wonder if smog was having an effect on my skin. Could the air I breathe really be harming my complexion? According to skin care expert Ole Henriksen, a toxic environment can have a tremendous impact on the skin. “There is no doubt that the particles contained in smog and pollution are so tiny that they can be absorbed through the skin,” says Ole. So what can we do about it?
“You can help neutralize the damage from pollutants with skin care formulations that have adequate concentrations of antioxidants like Vitamin A, E, D and C and antioxidants like superoxide dismutase,” says Ole. As for prevention, essential fatty acids (EFAs) are the way to go. “Soothing extracts with EFAs help protect the skin from damage and boost resistance,” he says. Look for natural products that contain african red tea, green tea, avocado, grapeseed or black currant compounds for best results. Ole recommends the following products for repair and prevention.
Repair
african red tea foaming cleanser
african red tea see the difference serum
express the truth wrinkle resistance crème
Prevent
truth serum
sheer transformation
herbal day crème
Aside from topical solutions, you can also take a combat the harmful effects of environmental stressors from the inside out. “When you eat a healthy diet and get proper nutrients and minerals, good fats, you are additionally safeguarding against damage,” says Ole. “Take good care of yourself across the board and you don’t have to worry.”