Elle Australia - 01.2019 - 02.2019

Pollution is penetrating

your skin 24/7. Here’s how to keep your

complexion in the clear

ULTRAVIOLET (UV) LIGHT FROM

THE SUN has long been deemed skin’s

worst enemy, wreaking havoc on a cellular

level, resulting in fine lines, pigment gone

wild and potentially even skin cancer.

But experts warn of another stealth

skin saboteur: pollution. City dwellers can

already see they’re constantly surrounded

(think of that incessant layer of soot lining

your windowsills), but what’s even more

alarming is that the particulate matter

suspended in the air enters the skin, attacks

cell DNA and, over time, causes wrinkles,

dryness, inflammation and uneven tone.

“Pollution microparticles are 20 times

smaller than your pores, so they easily

infiltrate the skin,” says NYC-based

dermatologist Dr Dendy Engelman.

Digital light pollution – blue light emitted

from your phone, tablet or computer – is

also a threat. This high-energy visible light

(HEV light) causes free-radical damage, as

UV light does, but penetrates the skin more

deeply than UVA or UVB wavelengths.

“HEV destroys the DNA of skin cells and

leads to premature ageing and cellular

SAVING

FA C E

DNA fx221 Recovery

Serum, $129,PRIORI,

prioriskincare.com.au

Dramatically Different

Hydrating Jelly, $49

for 125ml,CLINIQUE,

clinique.com.au

Detoxilyn City Mask,

$136, BY TERRY,

mecca.com.au

Words: Nicole Catanese; Janna Johnson O’Toole. Photography: Kate Szatmari/The Licensing Project/Snapper Images; Sevak Babakhani (still-life)