The World Health Organization says 91 per cent of the world’s population live in places where air quality exceeds their guideline limits. Even though according to Singapore’s National Environmental Agency, our Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) is between the Good and Moderate range, it doesn’t mean that anti-pollution skincare is not applicable to us.
Particulate matter (especially during haze season) and heavy metals emitted by vehicles and industrial activities, our high UV index (due to us being so near the equator), as well as blue light radiation from our digital devices are all sources of pollution.
These cause free radical damage to skin, which leads to signs of premature ageing such as dull, saggy skin, clogged pores and hyperpigmentation, and sensitised skin that gets reddened, itchy and irritated easily.
To combat the negative effects of pollution, it is important to cleanse your skin properly and use skincare rich in antioxidants. You can also try using a mask to purify skin and remove impurities like the ones in this gallery:
Photo: ponysmakeup/Instagram
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Kaolin clay in this anti-pollution mask works to draw out impurities while malachite, a mineral extract that’s a powerful antioxidant, helps detoxify skin and combat free radicals caused by environmental pollutants. It also has fruit-based acids and salicylic acid to exfoliate skin, and comes with an in-built and anti-bacterial charcoal brush-on applicator for easy application of the mask.
Available from Sephora
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This mask is infused with a concentrated oil-free serum that has charcoal to eliminate excess sebum, and clarify and purify skin. It also has snow lotus, which helps eliminate toxins accumulated from environmental exposure, and witch hazel, chrysanthemum and centella asiatic extracts to soothe skin and protect it against inflammation. The only thing is you’ll need the high-tech Foreo UFO device – it costs $408, and emits LED light and helps cool skin down for a more intensive masking session – to use it.
Available from Sephora
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This peel-off mask has a host of antioxidant-rich and skin-soothing ingredients such as avocado, bamboo and green tea to detox skin and combat the free radicals caused by environmental pollution. It also removes impurities accumulated on the skin surface and excess sebum, which makes it great for dull, congested and oily skin.
Available from Sephora
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This 15-minute deep-cleansing mask has kaolin clay to control sebum production and draw out impurities such as pollutant particles from skin. Burdock root and rosemary extract help purify skin while honey and a blend of flower waxes (jasmine, narcissus and mimosa) nourish and soften skin.
Available from the Chantecaille counter at Takashimaya D.S. Level 1
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The key ingredients in this mask are a black mud native to the Dead Sea region and a special seaweed extract. The former helps soothe, cleanse and exfoliate skin while the latter is said to help remove particulate matter and pollutants from skin. Because of the sebum balancing properties of this mask, it is more suitable for oily skin types.
Available from the Sabon boutique at #B1-30A Ngee Ann City and counter at Tangs Orchard
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Infused with vitamin C and milk thistle, this mask forms a protective shield on skin to protect against environmental aggressors while Indian ginseng and kaolin clay work to draw out pollutants and impurities from skin. This is also made with 99.35 per cent natural and certified organic ingredients.
Available from Canvas
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Like many others on the list, this mask has kaolin clay to draw out impurities from skin. Alpine willow herb extract also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties to soothe skin that is irritated by pollutants in the air.
Available from from Clarins boutiques and counters
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This has Alpine rose native cells, which is rich in antioxidants to protect against polluting free radicals. The bubbling action also helps gently remove impurities from the skin surface. What’s more. it has an anti-pollution peptide ingredient that helps clarify skin and even out skin tone and texture.
Available from By Terry’s website and Escentials
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