I never knew pollution could affect skin so bad until I went to New York.

I was in NYC this past May for a few days and basically throughout my whole trip I noticed that my face was scaly and dry and the rest of my skin was very dry as well. As soon as I got home, I busted out all my best skincare items and really tried to heal everything back to life (I felt like a plant that forgot to be watered).

Fast-forward four months later and I’ve been noticing that there are so many skincare products coming out that are aimed towards anti-pollution and keeping your skin healthy and fresh.  Like seriously, I feel like whenever I read about a new product, this is one of the selling factors.

Well, since this has suddenly become thing in the skincare world, if you live in a city with high pollution (I’ll never forget the clouds of it in Bangkok), then you’ll want to give this post a read.

Here are my five top skincare picks for combatting pollution.

Vichy Purete Thermale Cleansing Gel

I actually just chatted about this product recently, but this cleanser helps with cleansing away impurities and pollution residue for soft, fresh, and radiant skin. This is definitely one of my new favourite skincare products because it foams up quickly and efficiently, leaving you with super clean skin.

The Purisoft technology, which is powered by Moringa seed extract, cleanses impurities such as pollution particles, excess sebum, and it even reduces the effects of hard water on the skin.

This cleanser retails for C$26 and I love pairing it with a cleansing brush, such as my FOREO Luna, for a super deep clean.

Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence

Once I’m done with my cleanser, I always use a toner. The Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence (C$85) is a facial treatment that provides eight benefits, including anti-pollution and antioxidant protection, increases skin’s luminosity, reduces the look of fine lines, refines the appearance of pores, improves elasticity, smooths skin’s texture, boosts skin’s tone, and provides 24-hour moisture. All that in one simple step.

Like the name suggests, this product contains kombucha, fermented black tea, that is scientifically proven to protect against pollution, which accelerates signs of aging and leads to dull, dry skin (been there, done that). This product isn’t billed as a toner, but I’ve been using it as one, and thanks to it’s sangria-like scent (it’s all that kombucha), it’s been a real treat to use both morning and night.

Reversa Urban Protection Hydrating Cream SPF 30

This tinted moisturizer (C$47) from Canadian brand Reversa protects skin from urban pollutants and limits free radical activity. When I first saw this product, I actually thought it was   facial sunscreen, but then once I applied it I noticed it was tinted as well (honestly, this stuff is great for the beach or pool).

Complete with SPF 30, the formula includes kopara extract from the French Polynesia, which neutralizes the effects of pollutants to prevent premature aging. Thanks to the fact that it’s tinted (it is billed to suit most skin tones), it leaves you with a glowing complexion and healthy-looking skin. The formula also has fragmented hyaluronic acids, which hydrates skin and allows it to regain its volume and fill in wrinkles.

I always rave about BB and CC creams, but I’m seriously impressed with this product as well, especially considering the glow it gives your skin. If you have trips coming up, I would definitely recommend packing this one.

Reversa Antioxidant Booster Serum 

This was on the items I included in my Miami birthday goodie bags since it was perfect for our beach trip.  This serum includes a blend of antioxidant and moisturizing ingredients that protects against damage caused by environmental hazards, such as pollution. The formula also helps to activate skin’s natural defence mechanisms and provides extra protection against environmental stressors during the day and then repairs those damages at night.

This serum came in handy since although Miami isn’t a big pollution city, it helped with exposure to the sun, cigarette smoke, and other things that you would often find in a high-tourist city.

Find this serum at Shoppers Beauty Boutique for C$49.

Miss de Gaspe Purify + Purge Anti-Pollution & Detoxifing Dry Mask

If you’ve never tried a dry mask before, then you’re really missing out.

I love masking, however, the damn things tend to slide off my face and for the most part they are just so uncomfortable to wear. I’ve tried the Charlotte Tilbury dry mask before and was happy with the results on that one, so I was super pumped to try out similar ones from Miss de Gaspe.

These masks were another item in my Miami goodie bags, since girls trip and masks naturally go together. Although there are different formulas of their dry masks, I love the Purify + Purge Anti-Pollution & Detoxifying Dry Mask, which purifies, detoxifies, and energizes skin.

Since these masks are dry, that means you can reuse them anywhere from three to five times.  This particular mask contains a formula of white charcoal, which absorbs 1,000 times its weight in clogging impurities, helps lift toxin and pollutant buildup to reveal refined pores. It also has a mineral-based blend of powerful antioxidants that helps to replenish and protect the skin barrier. Finally, it contains marrubio, a plant from the mint family, that helps to oxygenate the skin to help restore, refresh, and revitalize the complexion.

Aside from the fact that this mask is reusable, which is a huge selling factor, it also has little slits on the side that hook around your ears, providing you with a perfect fit that won’t fall off. If you haven’t heard of Miss de Gaspe, this is the spinoff line of Nannette de Gaspe, which specializes in dry sheet masks and retail from $85 to $425 (yes, you read that correctly). At C$41.72, these are a total steal. 

Although I live in a city, at under a million people, I don’t have to worry about air pollution that much here at home. I love to travel though and when I’m hitting up big cities, I’ll definitely be packing these for those trips.

Have you used anti-pollution products? How do you keep your skin in tip-top shape?

Please note, product sent by PR, all opinions are my own.

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