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14 Anti-Pollution Skincare Products You Should Be Using Now

Because dull, dehydrated skin is not a good look.

By and Louise Whitbread
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There’s plenty of research out there that links toxic air with premature skin ageing, so the fact that the UK’s pollution levels are continuing to rise is worrying news for our complexions. According to Collette Haydon, skincare formulator and founder of Lixirskin, key culprits causing havoc on our complexions are cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes and heavy-metal emissions.

'Pollutants generate free radicals on the surface of the skin which can lead to sensitivity', she explains. 'When the level of free radicals exceeds our skin’s defence mechanisms, the skin cells are placed in a state of oxidative stress.' This state triggers skin sensitivity, which can lead to a whole host of issues – think pigmentation, premature ageing and a dull, sallow complexion.

Thankfully, there’s now a whole host of ways to protect your skin from pollution, from deep-cleansing facial washes that sweep away every last particle, to serums rich in radical-neutralising vitamin C, and even an instant bronzing gel with a myriad of skin-boosting benefits.

The Best Anti-Pollution Skincare And Makeup Products

1

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops

D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops
1

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops

£30 at Cult Beauty
Credit: .

Swirl a drop (just one – it’s seriously concentrated) of this luminous bronzing gel into your moisturiser or BB cream, and you'll see why this cult formula is forever selling out. Drunk Elephant's viral bronzing drops don't just protect your precious dermis from pollution, they impart sun-starved skin with instant radiance.

2

Fresh Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence

Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence
2

Fresh Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence

Powered by our favourite fermented drink, this nourishing essence protects your skin against free radicals, locks in moisture (thanks to hydrating heavyweight, hyaluronic acid) and fights fine lines... there's a reason why it's a much-loved formula among the ELLE beauty team.

3

Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Acid

Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Acid
3

Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Acid

Most experts, editors and dermatologists swear by this cult and award-winning product by SkinCeuticals. Combining the power of ferulic acid, vitamin E and vitamin C, it makes light work of protecting your skin and delivers instant luminosity to knackered-looking complexions.

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4

The Dewy Skin Cream

The Dewy Skin Cream
4

The Dewy Skin Cream

This much-loved formula by Japanese-born beauty brand Tatcha - whose loyal fan base includes Jennifer Aniston and Meghan Markle - is loaded with botanical extracts; it helps defend against aggressors and deliver an otherworldly glow.

5

Sarah Chapman Digital Shield

Sarah Chapman Digital Shield
5

Sarah Chapman Digital Shield

If your skin's feeling a little lacklustre at this time of year, you're not alone. Luckily, Sarah Chapman's digital shield was designed to give your complexion an instant boost, adding instant luminosity and acting as a screen against aggressors like blue light and pollution.

6

Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Pollution Drops

Anti-Pollution Drops
6

Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Pollution Drops

Credit: Cult Beauty

Famed for her advanced rejuvenating facials, Dr. Barbara Sturm knows a thing or two about keeping skin protected from the elements. One of her most advanced products yet, this lightweight serum will not only shield your skin from smoke and smog, but ward off damage from blue light too (yep, that’s your phone screen). Apply it neat, or mix a drop into your favourite cream for added hydration.

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7

OSKIA OSKIA City Life Anti-Pollution I-Zone Balm

OSKIA City Life Anti-Pollution I-Zone Balm
7

OSKIA OSKIA City Life Anti-Pollution I-Zone Balm

Powered by Astaxanthin - the antioxidant more potent than gold standard Vitamin C - this small but mighty treatment helps defend against external aggressors like pollution while also feeding your skin with nutrients.

8

Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream

Super Healthy Skin Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream
8

Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream

While you'll notice immediately plumper-looking skin after using this cream, it also helps improve elasticity and firmness over time. And as an added bonus, you've got your antioxidants and pollution protection built in, so you'll be fighting off those free radicals without even having to think about it.

9

Dr. LEVY Switzerland Pollution Shield 5PF

Pollution Shield 5PF
9

Dr. LEVY Switzerland Pollution Shield 5PF

Now 20% Off

If you live in a city you're probably well aware of the urban pollution that plagues your everyday existence, but there's more types of pollution doing damage to your skin than what's coming out of a car exhaust. Thankfully Dr Levy's Pollution Shield offers a comprehensive defence against the main sources of pollution: urban dust and microscopic particles, indoor volatile chemicals, atmospheric gases, infrared rays and blue light. As if that wasn't enough, this lightweight formula also smooths and softens skin over time.

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10

Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Hydrating Shield

Prevage City Smart Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Hydrating Shield
10

Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Hydrating Shield

Protect your skin from a whole host of pollution problems including UV rays and free radicals. An added dose of SPF50 protects skin from sun damage without leaving a greasy film whilst a techy DNA Enzyme Complex targets the classic signs of ageing.

11

Allies of Skin Multi Nutrient & Dioic Renewing Cream

Multi Nutrient & Dioic Renewing Cream
11

Allies of Skin Multi Nutrient & Dioic Renewing Cream

This no-nonsense day cream is one of the most potent protectors you’ll find on our shores. The lightweight formula is packed with 12 different antioxidant extracts that work to shield your skin on every level, as well as two different types of hyaluronic acid that hydrate both the skin surface and the deeper layers.

12

Lixir Vitamin C Paste 50ml

Vitamin C Paste 50ml
12

Lixir Vitamin C Paste 50ml

This innovative mask is specifically designed to deliver a vitamin C top-up to your skin each morning. It’s less faff than it may sound: simply apply like you would a cleanser, leave to work its magic for five minutes (while you brush your teeth) then wash away for clear, balanced skin that’s ready to face the smoggiest of cities.

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13

Rodial Vitamin C Deluxe Glow Tonic

Vitamin C Deluxe Glow Tonic
13

Rodial Vitamin C Deluxe Glow Tonic

Now 20% Off

A chemical exfoliator is a great way to amp up your cleansing routine, helping to increase cell turnover and ensure every last damaging free radical is swept away from your face. Rodial's latest tonic contains a blend of several alpha-hydroxy acids that work on multiple layers of the skin, along with a stabilised form of Vitamin C for a brightening boost. Sweep it over cleansed skin with a cotton pad, every other night.

14

Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Protective Makeup

Dream Urban Cover Protective Makeup
14

Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Protective Makeup

Credit: .

Not only will Maybelline's purse-friendly urban cover give you dewy, flawless and lightweight coverage, but with it a dose of protection, from built-in SPF 50 to pollutant fighting ingredients.

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