Delhi Air Pollution: 7 expert ways to protect your skin & hair from toxic pollutants

Delhi’s deadly pollution is not taking a toll on your lungs but also damaging your skin. The toxic chemicals in the air containing soot, smoke and acid severely affect your skin, snatching away the moisture, which in turn causes allergies and pigmentation. Rough skin and dryness on the cheeks are few of the symptoms of skin damage by air pollution. Not only skin, but pollution also sucks life out of your hair. It starts looking dull, lacking vitality. All those who live in an urban area need comprehensive protective beauty care, whether they stay in their houses or work outside.

Use cleansers as per skin type

Cleansing of the skin assumes more importance in order to get rid of the impurities and pollutants that are deposited on the skin. If you have a dry skin, use a cleansing cream or gel.

For oily skins, cleansing milk or face wash may be used. For oily skin, also use a facial scrub after cleansing. Look out for products with ingredients like sandalwood, eucalyptus, mint, neem, tulsi, aloe vera, etc., when you buy cleansers. The anti-toxic and tonic properties of such ingredients have helped in clearing the skin congestion and eruptions that result from exposure to chemical pollutants.

Aloe Vera for skin damage

Aloe vera, for example, is also a powerful moisturizer and an anti-oxidant. So are ingredients like apricot kernel oil, carrot seed, wheatgerm oil, etc. the skin needs to be protected. If the skin is prone to eruptive conditions like acne, pimples, rash, it should protected with specialized creams that not only protect but also reduce oiliness and deal with the problem.

Don’t skip toner after washing face

After cleansing, wipe the skin with a rose-based skin tonic or rose water, to complete the cleansing process and refresh the skin. Soak cotton wool in chilled rose water and tone the skin with it, patting briskly. It also improves blood circulation to the skin surface and adds a glow. Green tea also makes a good skin toner. If there is a rash or eruptions, add a little rose water to sandalwood paste and apply on the face. Wash off with plain water after 15 minutes.

Use anti-pollution cosmetics

Anti-pollution cosmetics help to provide protection and reduce the damage caused by environmental effects. These are basically "cover creams" that form a barrier between the skin and pollutants. sandalwood protective cream is very useful to protect the skin from environmental effects. It forms a transparent protective cover. Sandalwood soothes the skin and protects it from irritative reactions and eruptive conditions. It suits all skin types and increases the skin's moisture retention ability too.

Use vinegar, honey and egg hair mask once a week

The hair also needs frequent washing if one regularly travels long distances for their work. Pollutants also collect on the scalp. Shampoo, hair rinses, serums and conditioners help to restore the normal balances if they contain ingredients like amla, brahmi, trifala, bhringaraj and henna. They also coat the hair and form a protective cover. Mix one teaspoon each of vinegar and honey with one egg. Massage the mixture lightly into the scalp. Leave on for half an hour and then wash the hair. Rinse well with water.

Massage hot oil in your scalp

Or, give the hair hot oil therapy. Heat pure coconut oil and apply on the hair. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Leave oil on overnight and wash hair the next day.

Wash your eyes with twice daily

The impurities and pollutants can also affect the eyes, causing burning or redness. The eyes should be washed with plain water several times. Soak cotton wool pads in chilled rose water and use them over the eyes as eye pads. Lie down and relax for fifteen minutes. This really helps to remove fatigue and brightens the eyes.

The views in the above article are that of international beauty expert and India's Herbal Queen Shahnaz Husain.

(With ANI Inputs)