Your skin is the first line of defense against environmental toxins, and it’s the largest organ of your body. It also helps protect your inner body. While you may strive to take good care of it, it can be easily taken for granted. It acts like a brave warrior being the first line of defense when it comes into contact with anything harmful. This includes all the unavoidable pollutants and toxins in the environment we live in.
Environmental Toxins include:
PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons): Are a group of over 100 different chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil and gas, garbage. PAHs are the most common and are found in our air and come from sources such as automobile exhaust, wood-burning, and cigarette smoke. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been connected to hyperpigmentation, premature aging, acne, and oxidative stress, leading to skin cancer.
VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds): These environmental pollutants include chemicals released from automobile exhaust, paint, tobacco smoke, cleaners, pesticides, aerosol sprays, and industrial emissions. When VOCs are released into the air, they can cause inflammatory and allergen-induced skin conditions such as dermatitis or eczema. They can damage your skin on a cellular level that breaks down supportive structures such as collagen.
Ozone: A colorless unstable toxic gas with a pungent odor and powerful oxidizing properties, formed from oxygen by electrical discharges or ultraviolet light. Ozone leads to depletion of antioxidant content in the skin, leading to a cascade of effects resulting in cellular change deeper in your skin. We can all see the smog as we drive into Denver on I-25. You might notice changes in your skin, such as it becoming dry and losing its elasticity due to the breakdown of collagen, as well as other signs of premature aging, eczema, and dermatitis.
Everyday environmental pollutants can cause skin issues that include hyperpigmentation, loss of collagen, dry skin, fragile skin, acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and possibly even skin cancer. I am not sure how you’re feeling but knowing this is going on around me makes me want to stay indoors. Permanently! While many of these toxins are unavoidable, the fate of your health and skin is not sealed. Prevention and protection are key to maintaining your health and natural beauty.
The first step to protecting your skin from environmental toxins is applying sunscreen and adhering to a basic skincare regimen. We carry a non-toxic skincare line located right here in Boulder County. We hand-selected this line because it possesses high levels of active ingredients, including peptides, vitamins, and antioxidants to support the integrity of your skin, all while being cruelty-free, eco-friendly, paraben-free, dye-free, and free of harsh preservatives.
Because of where we live, in the high plains, most skin over 20 lacks a significant amount of moisture and collagen in their skin due to the arid conditions and exposure to the sun. This month we address this issue head-on and combat oxidative stress with a Fall Pumpkin Peptide Facial.
Pumpkin is a highly supportive ingredient consisting of high levels of vitamin A, C, and E accompanied with antioxidants to help fight sun damage and wrinkles. A facial is more than just a relaxation session. It helps clear congested skin, quenches parched skin, removes dead skin cells, and aids in blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. With your skin health in mind, we recommend having at least one facial a month.
Another great way to reduce the signs of oxidative stress and sun damage from the beautiful Colorado sun is a chemical peel. A chemical peel works by peeling away the old layer of skin leaving your skin looking bright and rejuvenated. It also works to remove photodamage done to your face. Our signature medical-grade VI Peel contains a synergistic blend of powerful ingredients suitable for all skin types. We are offering an October peel special as well.
Environmental toxins don’t just take hold of your skin. They also act as disruptors to other body systems. As the smoke and ash are looming around in the air, those tiny particles are making their way into our lungs. This is why our glow philosophy focuses on what’s happening inside your body with highly targeted, fast-acting vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that go immediately to the areas in your body that need extra support and protect cells from damage.