Climate change is an alarming problem in the world today. As you may have noticed in recent years, there has been a lot of craziness in our climates and weather due to the harmful effects of climate change. We’re suffering from hotter summers and colder winters, and this takes a huge toll on not just the environment and ecosystem, but also on our bodies!
The thing that suffers the most from climate change is our skin as they come into direct contact with sunlight and pollutants. They get battered and bruised by them every day, which can lead to things like skin cancer, wrinkles, discoloration, inflammation, and so much more. That’s why it’s so important to be on top of our skincare routine to maintain a youthful glow and a healthy complexion.
So, without further ado, let’s talk more about how you can protect your skin from climate change.
1. Put On Sunscreen
The most important thing to do to protect your skin from climate change is always putting on sunscreen! And this doesn’t just apply when you’re stepping out into the sunlight. You need to wear sunscreen all the time even if you’re just lounging around at home. Keep that sunscreen on until the sun has set!
At a minimum, your sunscreen needs to be 30 SPF.
If you’re keen on environmental issues, you should consider wearing reef-friendly sunscreen especially if you’re heading to the beach. Studies have shown that chemicals in sunscreen can be bad for the corals, which is why you need to avoid brands that use them.
2. Avoid Going Outside When It’s Hottest
On the topic of sunlight, the sun is at its most dangerous between 10 AM to 4 PM. Your skin will be sizzling in no time, especially if you don’t have any protective clothing or sunscreen to shield it. So, it’s best to find shade and cool off. Besides, you’re hardly going to enjoy doing anything with the sun blazing on your back.
However, if heading outside during these times is unavoidable, then you should compensate by wearing a higher SPF sunscreen.
SPF 50 is the best option for you. Don’t fall into the trap of buying higher SPF. Anything above (which blogs 99% of UV damage) SPF 50 (which blocks 98% of UV damage) would probably cost you a lot more without offering much extra protection. It’s best to just apply SPF 50 sunscreen regularly and generously.
3. Check Air Quality
Believe it or not, the little particles of dust and dirt in the air can do a ton of damage to your skin. Not only does it aggravate your epidermis, but it can also clog up your pores, leading to blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and more. Eventually, your skin is going to age prematurely, and certain parts of your skin might be darker than usual.
This can be fixed as long as you wash your face every night, but you can also take it a step further and avoid going out altogether when the air quality is particularly bad. We recommend utilizing the US Environmental Protection Agency’s app AirNow to check air quality in your area.
4. Drink Plenty of Water
If you want to maintain your skin’s natural elasticity no matter what the world throws at you, then start chugging water!
Water tightens your skin and prevents sagginess and wrinkles, especially if it’s a result of weight loss. So, if you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to drink water.
Water also helps to flush out toxins in the skin that lead to not just skin problems but body problems too! By hydrating yourself, you’re less likely to get scars and fine lines. You are also more protected from dangerous diseases like diabetes and heart disease too.
We can’t stress enough that water is the best skincare product around!
5. Eat Lots of Vitamin-Rich Foods
You need vitamins to maintain a healthy body, and that can only be ensured if you eat a well-balanced diet that’s full of protein, fruits, and vegetables. As long as you have a regular intake of the thirteen essential vitamins your body needs, you can enjoy the benefits of healthy skin, organ systems, blood, bones, and more!
There are two kinds of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble.
Fat-soluble vitamins are ones your body stores for future use. Vitamins A, D, E, and K fall under this category and can be found in dairy products, fish, meat, nuts, seeds, plant-based oils, and leafy vegetables. You don’t need to eat a lot of these every day.
Water-soluble vitamins, on the other hand, get flushed from the body often and thus need to be replenished more. That’s why health experts often recommend eating five fruits and vegetables a day. Vitamins C and B can be found in them, though they can also be found in eggs, meat, grains, and legumes too.
6. Take Supplements
Make no mistake—getting your Vitamins C and E from the food you eat is infinitely better than taking supplements. You can get the full benefits of both vitamins by simply eating them as your body processes food much better than capsules.
However, studies have shown that if you take supplements of both together, you can greatly reduce the damage caused by UV light. Research also suggests that taking probiotic supplements also helps rejuvenate the skin. It restores its natural immune function after being damaged by the sun.
7. Apply Topical Vitamins
External stressors such as pollution can also contribute to free radical damage on the skin. So, combat this by applying topical vitamins to your face. These are commonly found in serums that you apply right after toner and before moisturizer. Regular application will help neutralize free radicals on your skin and prevent unwanted skin changes from happening.
Studies have shown that Vitamin E and particularly Vitamin C should be your top two options. When working together, they block UV damage, premature aging, skin cancer, skin inflammation, and collagen degradation.
8. Don Protective Clothing
Of course, applying sunscreen and topical vitamins can only get you so far, especially if you’re regularly out in the sun. You need some physical protection as well to block sunlight and climate change from penetrating the skin!
People tend to wear less clothing when they’re outside in the warmer months. It is quite understandable considering how hot it is outside. However, please remember to stay in the shade as much as you can nonetheless.
If you must step out in direct sunlight, please protect yourself by wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants. It might be a hassle, but it’s a much preferable option than suffering from skin cancer later on.
Another thing that people don’t realize is your head needs protection too! Your hair can only do so much to protect your scalp, so you need to wear a hat too. Strike two birds with one stone by wearing wide-brimmed hats to offer your face and shoulders some shade.
