When Olay conducted a clinical study measuring multiple aspects of skin health of over 200 women across the least and most polluted district of Beijing, the results were predictably distressing. Women in highly polluted areas, albeit with better lifestyle choices like cleansing routine and water consumption + a greater focus skin care, faced worse skin hydration issues than those living in the cleaner air suburbs.
Thus proving: city pollution is ageing your skin faster than normal.
Scientific evidence presented by Olay and dermatologists shows that skin barrier function and hydration are the most significant threats air pollution poses on skin.
"This new evidence shows that it is vital for skincare today to incorporate pollution-fighting, barrier building ingredients," says Olay senior scientist Dr Frauke Neuser.
How do you fight this obstacle hindering your skin health? Dr Neuser suggests to find skin care products with niacinamide as a vital ingredient, "Niacinamide (a form of vitamin b3), is supported by over 15 years of data and published research that proves its ability to restore and strengthen the skin’s protective barrier, whilst improving skin hydration and promoting skin surface exfoliation." A broad spectrum UV protection with an SPF of 15 will help protect skin from sun damage.