It’s a well-known fact that Korea lives and breathes skincare. And so, it’s no surprise that the world of K-beauty has spent an immense amount of time researching every possible cause of ageing. From all of this research, has emerged one particularly interesting form of ageing— one that is pollution-induced aka ‘polluaging.’

What is polluaging?

As you’ve probably already guessed, polluaging is the portmanteau of ‘pollution’ and ‘ageing’. While we’d all love to age gracefully and naturally, research has proven that pollutants in our surroundings are causing us to age prematurely since pollutants are responsible for transferring free radicals into the pores of our skin. Free radicals attack healthy skin cells, and eventually kill them. Now, this is where ‘anti-polluaging’ comes in— it’s all about preventing your skin from being attacked by pollution, as well as protecting and treating it.

How do I protect myself from polluaging?

Here are a couple of ways to combat polluaging, and not succumb to it:

 

1. Keep cleaning your skin

1. Keep cleaning your skin

The first step to prevent polluaging is to keep your skin absolutely clean so that pollutants don’t have the chance to attack healthy skin cells. This is where double cleansing comes in— it’s the key to keeping your skin youthful. Dedicate yourself to cleanliness by first removing every trace of makeup and sunscreen with an oil-based cleanser, and then use a foam based cleanser to get rid of any sort of residue that is lingering in your pores.

2. Natural ingredients are your best bet

Anti-polluaging involves the use of natural ingredients on your skin. As pollution is known to aggravate inflammation and skin irritation, it’s best to use ingredients that are completely natural. So, when you’re shopping for skincare products, avoid buying those whose ingredients include words you are unfamiliar with.

 

3. Antioxidants all the way

3. Antioxidants all the way

If you’ve decided to fight polluaging, you should always make it a point to load up on antioxidants whenever you can. Why do we say this? Well, antioxidants such as green tea, work actively against the free radicals pollutants deposit in your skin. The most popular K-beauty antioxidants are Yuzu, acai berry, and ginseng.

4. Hydrate your face with mist

Did you know facial mists contain antioxidants? This is precisely what makes them great to combat polluaging. Not only to they provide your skin with free radical-fighting ingredients, but also hydrate your skin, and keep it from looking dull and dry.