How does commuting damage your skin?

If your commute to work involves spending a lot of time outside, taking public transport, or in a car with the windows down, this could be taking its toll on your skin. From UV radiation, to pollution and air conditioning, commuting can expose your skin to a number of damaging factors. These can even lead to premature aging. So how does this damage occur and what are the steps you can take to prevent this?

So, how does commuting damage your skin?

A daily commute can subject your skin to a number of different factors that can cause skin damage. These include sun damage, pollution and air conditioning.

Sun damage is one of the most common skin problems and this occurs when your skin is exposed to UV radiation from the sun. When on your way to or from work, you probably aren’t focused on getting a tan, and so you might not even remember to apply the right factor suncream. Unfortunately, long drives with the windows down, and even short walks between destinations can cause sun damage, which causes premature ageing and increases the risk of skin cancer.

As well as sun damage, pollution damage is another factor to consider as part of your commute. This occurs when your skin is exposed to airborne pollutants like smog, dust, and dirt and can be particularly harmful for those travelling on public transport or driving to work. Pollutants can clog your pores, cause inflammation, and contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in your skin.

Finally, air conditioning can also be damaging to your skin, as it can dry it out and make it more prone to irritation and inflammation. This is something that impacts on driving commuters as well as public transport users.

How can you prevent skin damage when commuting?

There are a number of steps you can take to prevent skin damage when commuting. These include:

Wearing suncream each day- applying a broad-spectrum sun cream with an SPF of at least 30 to all exposed areas of skin can help protect your skin from sun damage on your commute. This is even recommended on days when the weather is cloudy. If you are wearing makeup you could apply a layer of sun cream before applying your makeup, or you could choose makeup products that contain SPF.

Avoiding areas of heavy pollution where possible- if it is at all possible during your commute to switch routes and avoid heavily polluted areas, this would be incredibly beneficial to your skin, as well as your lungs. Where this is not possible, try to cleanse your skin each night to help unblock pores and keep your skin healthy.

Keep the skin hydrated- to protect your skin from the drying effects of air conditioning, try to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. Drink plenty of water, and use a moisturiser to keep your skin soft and supple. Moisturisers that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides, can be highly beneficial as these lock in moisture and prevent dryness.

How can your skin care help protect against commuter damage?

Your skin care routine can play an important role in both preventing skin damage while commuting as well as helping to repair any existing skin damage. Here at The Skin and Wellbeing Clinic, we are Preston’s leading aesthetic clinic, and we are an Approved Retailer for the SkinCeuticals range. For preventing commuter skin damage, we would recommend:

Gentle Cleanser – This is a hydrating cleanser that can help to soothe dry and irritated skin and smooth an uneven skin texture.

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Cleanse & Tone

Gentle Cleanser

£40.00

Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 Cream – This is a moisturising cream that can help to restore and reinforce the skin’s barrier. For those with a lengthy commute, this can really help to reduce susceptibility to environmental factors.

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Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 Cream

£135.00

C E Ferulic Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum for Visible Signs of Ageing – This antioxidant serum with a combination of Vitamin C is award winning and can shield the skin from UV radiation, while brightening the complexion.