10 Anti-Pollution Beauty Treatments to Save Your Skin and Hair from the City

This multi-action sun-barring moisturizer was practically made with busy, on-the-go New Yorkers in mind. Enriched with vitamins E and B5 plus other skin-conditioning agents, it’s formulated to “hydrate, repair and protect the skin not only against UVA and UVB rays but also against environmental stressors like pollution,” says Supergoop founder Holly Thaggard.

Did you remember to put sunscreen on your hair? OK, we didn’t either—but we will now. This leave-on protector shields hair from the sun with a UV filter that stays on even after a bath or shower, making sure your hair color refuses to fade. Need another reason to coat your hair? “Because hair is often unprotected, it’s very susceptible to air pollution damage,” says Jarosz. “Soot, dirt, dust and gases can cause scalp irritation, dryness, breakage and even premature baldness.” Um, enough said.

If you’re heading to the Hamptons for a quick weekend beach getaway, get the glow without the long-term consequences. This bronzer delivers color sans damage and is chock-full of peptides, marula oil, essential fatty acids and antioxidants like vitamin D to nourish and protect the skin from environmental stressors. Can your regular bronzer do all that? P.S. The color comes from raw, unrefined cocoa powder.

Ever feel like a day out and about in the city has left you thinly coated in grime? Sweep it away with these wipes infused with oxygen and charcoal (a natural detoxifier and impurity remover).The unique bubbling formula deep cleanses, removes makeup, detoxifies and whisks away pollutants. Toss it into your purse or gym bag for a quick clean on the go.

Let’s not forget about the potential indoor damages that can mar your glass-complexion goals. Yes, digital pollution is a thing. Research suggests that blue light (from cell phone, TV and computer screens) may penetrate deeper into skin than UVB rays and cause damage that can contribute to wrinkles, sagging, hyperpigmentation and other signs of aging. But don’t worry, this weightless formula—which launches in August—is the first mineral-based indoor-outdoor veil for all skin tones, with cacao extract to help protect against the skin-damaging effects of blue light. And it still protects from the sun and environmental pollution.

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This moisturizer was pretty much made for your commute. A couple of quick sprays (ahh, refreshing) creates an invisible shield that minimizes exposure to daily pollutants such as cigarette smoke, heavy metals, blue light and exhaust fumes, while stimulating collagen production and toning and repairing skin. All this protective goodness comes via oat kernel extract, tomato stem cells, L-arginine and biosaccharide gum-4, a pollution-blocking polymer. It’s perfect for a range of skin types, from dry and dehydrated to dull and acne-prone.

Buy it ($35)

Believe it or not, you can teach your skin to get better at fending off NYC pollution. On hot, muggy days when your skin could use a little extra love and healing, slather a “leave-on” reparative mask on your face like you would your hair.breathable mask—rich in peptides, Moringa seed and squalane—works through the day to “train” your skin so that it becomes smarter and more resilient to external aggressors. And it’s designed to be worn under sunblock and makeup.

Buy it ($99)

When you really need a deep clean to get rid of the city’s gunk, vacuum the toxins out of your pores (literally). The noninvasive Dermalinfusion offered at the offices of Monica Halem, M.D., clears up congested and blocked pores using a diamond-tip exfoliation and extraction via closed-looped vacuum pressure. It then infuses your freshly emptied pores with a custom solution for your skin woes. There’s no downtime and everything that’s removed from the skin is sucked into a jar—it’s both fascinating and terrifying to see what was removed at the end of a treatment. Results include brighter, smoother skin, a reduction in congestion, and increase in plumpness and hydration.

This treatment, offered by the long-standing Upper East Side salon, was made for detoxifying the city elements and giving your scalp a much-needed vacation. A therapeutic eucalyptus menthol mask treatment and head massage relieves a dry, itchy scalp while deeply cleansing, improving scalp circulation and removing excess oil. Pair it with the Lemongrass Deep Conditioning treatment at the salon to improve suppleness and shine and to reinforce the hair cuticle barrier against smoke and smog. An at-home version is also available.