If you live in the midwest, (especially Minneapolis, MN) you’re probably very aware of the wildfire smoke and overall bad air quality that has been plaguing us over the last few summers!

Bad air quality can mean a lot of things, but what we’re breathing in and absorbing into our skin is a mixture of nanoparticles from forest fires, coal from power plants, exhaust from cars, and random metals that have been released into the air. According to Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D. (a consulting professor of dermatology at the Duke University School of Medicine) these nanoparticles are “so small that when you breathe them into your lungs, they lodge into your lung tissue — that's what causes the damage that occurs from inhaling pollution…[and] that same process occurs on the skin."

In an interview with Weather.com, Draelos further explains that nanoparticles “poke holes in the skin's collagen, so the skin no longer has the thickness and the structure that it once did…so if you are walking down the streets of New York City, and there's a bus that just went by, and you see [exhaust] out the back, there's combustion you can see that damages the skin. But there are also nanoparticles you can't see."

Pollution-related skin damage builds up on the skin, similar to UV related damage. Scientific evidence of how pollution affects our skin is just starting to become more abundant; however, Dr. Draelos mentions that there is one specific skin factor you can definitely blame pollution for: discolored spots. She explains that “pollution particles that sit on the surface [of the skin] increase the amount of melanin," or skin pigmentation, leading to dark spots/hyperpigmentation.

I know pollution is just ANOTHER thing on the long list of things to worry about in this stressful year of 2025…but I’m here to help, not fear monger!

Keep reading to find out what you can do to save your skin (and the rest of your body) from bad air quality!💛

4 Things you NEED to know about pollution

1) Pollution is inescapable

Unlike UV rays (which disappear when the sun goes down or can be avoided entirely by staying indoors) pollution is everywhere. Car exhaust, ozone, smoke and free radicals are inescapable no matter where you live; that's why it is crucial to protect your skin on a day-in, day-out basis from the negative effects of pollution.

Living in a fossil fuel-dependent country + living in close proximity to consistent wildfires = a LOT of exposure to airborne pollutants. And these wildfires aren’t just burning trees, but also toxic substances that are not meant for humans to breathe in or absorb through our skin.

Airborne pollutants come in two forms: 1) gasses and 2) heavy metals. Add other environmental factors like sun exposure to the mix, and it can feel impossible to completely protect our skin from the environment.

Getting an indoor air purifier is a good start, but when you’re outside, Dr. Draelos recommends wearing “something on your skin like a moisturizer…it will trap some of those nanoparticles because they have to touch the skin to have an effect." (Facial foundations create a similar barrier!)

And you might as well add another layer on top…SPF!!

2) Pollution ages your skin

When your skin is exposed to daily toxic pollution, it becomes prematurely aged, weakened, dull, dehydrated AND more sensitive!

Why? When our bodies take in airborne pollutants, our natural levels of antioxidants decrease and oxidative stress is increased (learn more about oxidative stress by checking out Tip #6 in my most recent blog post about summer skincare tips!).

The TLDR: Oxidative stress causes your skin cells to be less efficient at repairing and reproducing new cells that you need for healthy, younger looking skin, like collagen and elastin!

Recent dermatological studies give us some alarming stats:

The formation of age spots increases with high levels of traffic-related air pollution and air pollution-associated gases
Subjects living in more polluted areas have significantly worse skin hydration
Subjects living in more polluted areas show depleted vitamin E and squalene levels in the skin
An increase in atmospheric soot and particles from traffic is linked with 20% more pigment spots on the forehead and cheeks
Soot particles from traffic and background pollution are associated with a more pronounced smile lines

Now that we’ve gotten the scary information out of the way, it’s time to move on to the solutions! Absolutely everything is overwhelming these days, so to make things a little more digestible, I have compiled some pollution-solutions for you…

3) Super-Foods for Protecting and Healing your Body from the Inside → Out

Broccoli: Scientists have studied and isolated the compound thought to help our bodies remove common pollutants and fight inflammation: sulforaphane
- Other foods high in Sulforaphane: Cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, cabbage
  *Sulforaphane levels are higher with foods in their raw form, or lightly cooked

Green Tea: Sipping a warm cup of green tea each day can be a simple habit that effectively combats pollution in the body!

According to a study by the Department of Dermatology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, a specific type of plant compound called polyphenols “are a promising approach to disease prevention and treatment. Green tea is an abundant source of plant polyphenols that exhibit significant antioxidant, chemopreventive, and immunomodulatory effects in protecting the skin.”

Nuts and Seeds: Nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, and flaxseeds are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, which reduce inflammation and create protective layers that help prevent oxidative stress in the body.

Apart from this list, eating foods rich in iron, calcium and zinc can help reduce the amount of heavy metals in your body.

4) There's a Pollution Solution for your Skin, too!

So you’ve hopefully started making a note of what foods you should include in your diet to heal your body from pollution, but what about that outer layer of skin?? To prevent and reverse dull skin, age spots, and pronounced smile lines…

…my favorite anti-pollution skin-saver is activated charcoal!

How it works: When the shell of a coconut is heated and dried (or a piece of wood), the remaining charcoal develops a porous consistency. This porosity (think of the tiny holes in a sponge) helps to draw toxins from environmental pollution up and out of your skin, and keeps them from escaping. If applied in a series, (a.k.a applying it consistently once a week at home and/or every 1-6 weeks in a facial) activated charcoal can help reverse the side effects of pollution and leave your skin fresh, smooth, and pollutant-free!

You'll find activated charcoal in my anti-pollution specialized facial! 💛

For August only I'm offering a 60 minute Pollution Neutralizing facial for only $99!! It targets and revives dull, prematurely-aging skin with deep purging and heavy-metal scavenging formulas proven to significantly slow down the damage caused by air pollution. You'll emerge with fresh, revived skin that looks healthy, strong and bright! This facial is an absolute steal for the price, because it includes a double cleanse, summer safe chemical peel, extractions and deep detox charcoal mask. PLUS it’s suitable for all skin types!

Anti-pollution skincare and facials are now more necessary than ever. Find my Pollution Neutralizing Facial under the Services tab on my booking portal!

This price is only available until August 31st on new facial appointments only, so book this self care service while you can!

Final thoughts from your friendly neighborhood esthetician…

I provide free skincare education like this timely blog post because I truly care about my client-friends and their skin health! In our world of microplastics, AI plants, car exhaust, and wildfires, we can all use a little help to protect our bodies!

1) Share this blog with your fellow Minnesotans and Wisconsinites to help them protect themselves from pollution-related dull skin, premature aging, and lung disease!

2) Follow me on Instagram or sign up for my emails if you want more free, practical skincare advice that doesn’t require you to buy expensive new products! ;)

3) And as always, support a queer-owned small business and book a service with me today <3

💛 Xo, Sunni

4 Tips to Save your Skin from Bad Air Quality