How to Combat Premature Aging

As we discovered last week, pollution and chemicals in the air are harmful to skin and are a leading cause of skin problems second only to lack of sleep. These skin issues include premature aging and eczema.

Premature Aging
Cigarette smoke contains 6000+ toxic chemicals including carbon monoxide and free radicals. Combine this with car exhaust, particulate matter in the air and hot temperatures and BOOM! You have a compound that seeps into the skin, dries it, out and makes those little lines appear quicker. This can happen by just walking on the sidewalk and coming into contact with these compounds. You do not have to be a smoker. If your skin is extremely dry, you begin to notice lines and irregularly colored freckles on your body, you could be seeing the visible signs of aging. But don’t worry just yet. I have a solution.

Eczema (and Psoriasis)
For my eczema friends: Do you wonder why your flare ups are more prominent when you get hot or are exposed to the elements for too long? That is because eczema is hyper sensitive to oxides. Oxides can come from factory smoke, forest fires, and particles from volcanic activity that have been swept hundreds of miles in the wind. When combined together, they bind to your skin in the creases of your arms, behind the knees, on the back of your neck... and before you realize it, you have a full flare-up! Before you make a vow to stay indoors for the duration of the summer, read below.

Protect your skin from pollution
Plants are a great first step, but is there more you can do? Your skin is your biggest organ, and it must be protected. It is literally a shield that protects you from all types of biological compounds, radiation, VOCs and more. It protects your internal system that keeps you alive. When skin comes into contact with high levels of these compounds it adds stress to your body’s natural antioxidant defense and can overpower it. If you live in a major city (or suburb) you are at risk! Try these completely natural actions (don’t forget your houseplants) to reverse skin issues and prevent them in the future. 

• Use antioxidant rich skin care products. Products that contain any of the ingredients listed here such as lavender, vanilla, and calendula fight the pollution as soon as it touches your skin, and works to build your body’s antioxidant defense back up. 
• Take your vitamins and eat vitamin rich foods. Vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene are natural antioxidants and will protect your skin and body. 
• Stay hydrated. Drinking water allows your body and skin to function properly. Your body’s antioxidant defense, and your other organs that remove the toxins from your body are activated with water. It is about 70% of your body (and the earth). 
• Cleanse well. After washing your body, exfoliating once or twice a week gets rid of the pollution left on the skin. Bella’s sea salt formula detoxes for an extra level of clean that your soap/ body wash may have missed. Don't forget your moisturizer!