Everyday pollution saps your skin of much needed minerals and nutrients, leaving you vulnerable to wrinkles, dullness, irritation and more. Pollution and skin concerns may seem like a 'big city' problem, but the top 10 polluted cities in the United States are not where you may think they are. Keep reading to see the surprising data on pollution and skin, and how to protect yourself.

Why pollution is a problem for skin

Our increasingly dirty world is full of skin-aging atmospheric stressors: pollution, exhaust fumes, industrial smoke, ozone, extreme weather and free radicals. Skin exposed to daily toxic pollution becomes prematurely aged, weakened, dull, dehydrated and sensitized.

Researchers predict that pollution protection will impact skin care as much as UV protection. Not only that, but pollution actually impacts UV exposure by diminishing the ozone layer in our atmosphere.

"As the ozone layer gets thinner, the protective filter activity of the atmosphere is progressively reduced. Consequently, the people and the environment are exposed to higher levels of UV radiation." (1)

This means both pollution protection and UV protection will become of paramount importance if you want healthy skin.

Top polluted cities

Most people assume they only need to worry about pollution and skin in big cities like New York or Chicago, but they aren't even in the top ten most polluted cities in the U.S. (for year-round particle pollution*), according to the American Lung Association:

1. Bakersfield, CA
2. Visalia-Porterville-Hanford, CA
3. Fresno-Madera, CA
4. Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
5. El Centro,CA
6. (tied) Modesto-Merced, CA
7. (tied) San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA
8. Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA
9. Harrisburg-York-Lebanon, PA
10. Louisville-Jefferson, KY

Is your city not listed? Don't breathe a sigh of relief just yet – Just because you don't live in one of the cities listed above doesn't mean your skin is safe. The World Health Organizationjust announced that a whopping 92% of the world's population is breathing in polluted air, and live in places where outdoor air quality fails to meet their guidelines for safety (1). Chances are, the air you face day in and day out is the cause of lines, wrinkles, spots and irritation.

How to protect yourself

1) Remineralist Daily Moisture

Modern day pollution ages you, but Remineralist Daily Moisture protects you. This pollution-neutralizing, lightweight, hydrating lotion replenishes skin with oceanic minerals, sea salt and red algaeto detoxify and defend against atmospheric stressors.

2) Plump Start

Pollution, UV exposure, and more lead to free radical build up, which then causes wrinkles and other signs of premature aging. Protect your skin against free radical damage with Plump Start. This plum infused concentrate uses high levels of antioxidants to scavenge free radicals from 70-85% (2). It also delivers a continuous veil of hydration for instant fullness & long-term improvement of lines.

3) Broad spectrum sunscreens

To avoid premature aging and skin cancer, you must wear a broad spectrum sunscreen every single day, even in the winter and on cloudy days. You can still accumulate UV damage indoors or driving in your car. Try SPF 50 FaceScreen – this luxurious formula delivers the highest level of anti-aging, broad spectrum UVA and UVB sun protection to improve the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and the feel of firmness.

If you have any questions about pollution and skin, sign up for our email newsletter or comment below!

1) Source: World Health Organization

2) Source: Based on wild plum in-vitro testing

*Particle pollution is a mix of very tiny solid and liquid particles in the air. "Year-round" refers to an annual average level that represents the concentration of particles day-in-and-day-out.