Stress, hormones, makeup, late nights, a crappy diet: It?s been pounded into our heads that these are the causes of less-than-perfect skin. But it turns out, just being a human in the world?especially if your world happens to be a place like New York City, or any other highly polluted epicenter?is probably screwing up your complexion, too. Specifically, multiple studies have shown that irritants in the air can age you in the form of hyperpigmentation?also known as a dreaded dark spot?and inflammation, which can amount to redness, irritation, and fine lines, says Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. ?Basically, particulate matter from smog and pollution can deposit on the skin, causing free radical damage.? Cool. MORE: The Best Skin-Care Tricks For Clearer, Brighter, Better Skin
Even more, all that crap in the air can break down collagen and the lipid layer, impairing the skin?s barrier function, adds dermatologist Annie Chiu of The Derm Institute: ?Just a couple of hours of exposure to today’s pollution levels can cause your skin’s antioxidant levels to drop by 25 percent. In a few weeks? time, it can be depleted by 75 percent.? Couple that with all the damage the sun?s probably doing to your face should you decide to forgo sunscreen (don’t do that, ever), and you?re probably tempted to never spend another day outdoors again. But alas, there?s an solution, and it?s somet...