Along with the debilitating effects of air pollution on the body, there is also a relationship between skin health and pollution. Many pollutants in the air can penetrate the protective layer of the skin and cause several skin disorders like acne, atopic dermatitis, eczema, and even cancer. Though the skin is meant to serve as a shield against pro-oxidative elements, repeated exposure can significantly negatively affect the skin.

Typically, pollutants in the air accumulate on the skin’s surface and are absorbed by the hair follicles through inhalation and ingestion, and are circulated through the plasma into deeper layers of the skin.

Five dangerous pollutants affecting your skin

1. Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR)
Ultraviolet radiation or UVR consists of two types: UVA and UVB. UVA has been found to largely cause skin aging or photoaging; when it is combined with UVB, it can prove to be very lethal. It can lead to skin cancers such as malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

2. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
PAHs are most commonly found in the air and are another leading contributor to skin cancer. The main sources of PAHs are residual wood burning, diesel engine fumes, and smoke that results from the burning of pretty much any organic material, even cigarettes. If the skin is exposed to PAHs for a long period, one may experience oxidative stress and even aging.

3. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Paints and varnishes sometimes use organic solvents. This can cause the emission of volatile organic compounds or VOCs. In addition, it is also found in smoke from tobacco, cars and other automobiles, and industrial facilities. Prolonged exposure to VOCs can cause allergic reactions on the skin and inflammation in the form of atopic dermatitis or eczema. This happens because VOCs increase cytokines that create the right conditions for inflammation.

4. Oxides
Nitrogen oxide is emitted mainly upon the combustion of various matter – both mobile and stationary. Carbon monoxide is another harmful byproduct of incomplete combustion from mobile sources. Another is sulfur dioxide that is released through industrial activities and volcanic eruptions. These oxides have been found to have a causal relationship with inflammations like atopic dermatitis and atopic eczema.

5. Ozone
The stratosphere and the troposphere contain O3, and it is also found in small quantities at the ground level. O3 can also be released through some human activities, and when it interacts with other air pollutants, it can have bad effects on the skin. Exposure to tropospheric O3 has been associated with urticaria, eczema, and contact dermatitis.