We thought the big deal with protecting our skin was mostly wearing sunscreen and a hat. Turns out, your skin is susceptible to a host of environmental hazards, from smog (keep calm, Angelenos) to cooking gas to the blue light emanating from your phone. Here’s a rundown of hidden moments in your daily life that might be the culprit behind tired, splotchy or dehydrated skin—and, thankfully, tips on how to guard against them.
5 Sneaky Things That Might Be Aging Your Skin (Like, Ahem, Your Phone) and How to Fight Them
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Published Oct 31, 2018
Dr. Loretta
Computer Glare Can Make You Splotchy
Dr. Loretta Ciraldo has practiced dermatology in Miami for 40 years and got her start studying the effects of UVA radiation on skin at Harvard in the 1970s. So when she claims that in addition to UVA and UVB solar rays, something called HEV (high-energy visible) light, aka computer/smartphone glare, is hurting our skin, we listen. Her new Anti-Aging Repair Regimen Set (cleanser, serum, lotion) is specially formulated to fight the hyperpigmentation and wrinkles caused by your late-night Chardonnay-and-online-shopping sesh. (Bonus: The soft-pink packaging is too pretty to keep in a drawer.)
Murad
Smog Causes Wrinkles: Discuss
Low-lying ozone, particles of grime and carbon monoxide make up smog, which blocks your pores and starves your skin of oxygen, causing premature wrinkles. During the day, City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 blocks toxins (and protects from sun damage). While you sleep, City Skin Overnight Detox Moisturizer uses vitamin C to correct sun damage and sunflower, cucumber and barley to rehydrate skin.
Murad ($135)
Dermstore
Your Paint, Carpet And Gas Stove Are Giving You Age Spots
Shock: There are actually more pollutants inside your home or office than out in the big smoggy world. Floor covering, plastics, paints and household gas lines give off emissions. And these home emissions are sneaky—they seep into pores invisibly and damage deep layers of skin, causing a loss of elastin and collagen. To prevent wrinkles, fine lines and hyperpigmentation, spritz on Ren Flash Defence Anti-Pollution Mist after your morning moisturizer and periodically throughout the day to defend your pores.
Ren ($38)
Nordstrom
Temperature Extremes Are Drying Out Your Skin
Stepping into a toasty home after a walk in the brisk air might feel good, but it disrupts your skin’s balance with heat. Remove the resulting dry skin while building up a protective layer of kelp-infused oil by scrubbing with La Mer Replenishing Oil Exfoliator a couple times a week. The bits of sugar crystals and sea salt basically give your face and neck a seaside vacay.
Sephora
Your Lotion/soap/shampoo Is Making You Break Out
Unwittingly, you might be poisoning your complexion with irritants in your current beauty regimen. To fight reddened skin and clogged pores, swipe Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner over your face and neck before bed. The fragrance-free formula acts like a vacuum for your pores without drying out your skin.
