Pollution is one of the biggest threats to our skin, causing everything from free radical damage to premature ageing and breakouts. But what’s a beauty-conscious girl to do? Use a protecting sunscreen that not only shields your skin from harmful UV rays but pollutants as well. Here’s our pick of the best nine in the market today:
A non-chemical UV defender, it helps protect skin from UV rays, pollution and environmental stress. Infused with opuntia cactus extract, it creates a physical barrier to protect skin. Featuring an essential oil blend of tuberose, jasmine, rose and bitter orange, it also helps disarm pollution by combating free radicals to target irritation before it begins.
This uses an Isolating Powder Technology which neutralises harmful acidic substances from air pollutants to prevent damage to skin. It also contains three types of vitamin C to fight free radical damage and lighten pigmentation.
This is infused with Huang Qin, commonly used in Chinese pharmacopeia for its anti-free radical and anti-inflammatory properties, to help skin protect itself from external aggressors such as UV rays and pollution. It also has moringa extract to protect skin from environmental pollution and prevents the induction of free radicals that insidiously attack the skin and cause a dull complexion.
This has sun filters and anti-pollution agents to protect against UV rays and external aggressions. Pure Thermal Plankton extract helps to stimulate skin’s natural self-defense mechanisms for greater cellular protection and soothes skin, while the brand’s exclusive D-Tox complex neutralises “epidermal toxins” such as environmental pollution which could impair skin’s natural glow.
This has the brand’s exclusive Anti-pollution Complex with White Tea extract and Organic Alpine Sanicle, which encourages the expression of SPRRs (small proline-rich proteins). Found locally on the skin surface, they play a key role in skin’s primary defense system by trapping free radicals caused by UV rays and pollution.
The antioxidant duo of vitamin E and Mexoryl sun filters help to protect against all three forms of skin damaging UV rays. Fragrance-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic, it provides all-day hydration and is enriched with vitamin E for its skin conditioning benefits and ability to help protect skin from free radical damage caused by environmental pollution.
This is so hydrating that it can double up as a moisturiser. It has urnula flower extract and the ingredient Skingenecell 1P to fight pollution, preventing dust particles from entering skin and fighting free radical damage.
This has moringa seed extract, which acts as a protective shield to limit the amount of pollutants that settle on skin and blocks impurities at the surface of the skin. It also contains red hibiscus to help reinforce skin’s intercellular network, creating a biological barrier to pollution particles and block oxidation reactions.
A luxe sunscreen with anti-ageing properties, it contains crocin glycan from the saffron pistil which acts like a protective shield against environmental pollutants. It also has shea seedcake extract to give you a softer, smoother and more radiant complexion.
Like this? Check out mattifying sunscreens to look fresh in humid weather, tinted sunscreens to use when skipping your base makeup and skincare products that banish spots and freckles.