Did you know? 80% of the visible signs of skin ageingare caused by your environment. In towns and cities your skin's number one enemies are pollution, stress and, more surprisingly, blue light!

Did you know? 80% of the visible signs of skin ageingare caused by your environment. In towns and cities your skin's number one enemies are pollution, stress and, more surprisingly, blue light!

Blue light refers to the visible light waves which produce the most energy. They are emitted by the sun’s white light, energy-saving lightbulbs, computer and smartphone screens, etc. Like pollution, blue light is an external aggressor faced daily by your skin and contributes to oxidative stress.

What is oxidative stress?

This refers to cells being attacked by free radicals and is caused by an imbalance between pro-oxidant free radicals and antioxidants. Free radicals are unstable molecules usually produced in small quantities by the body when it comes into contact with oxygen. They destabilise other molecules to stabilise themselves. An excess of free radicals slows down cellular renewal and breaks down proteins (collagen, elastin), lipids and even DNA!

Blue light and pollution can cause oxidative stress, including the oxidation of the lipids which make up the skin barrier, as well as weaken natural antioxidants.

What are the consequences for the skin?

Oxidative stress causes problems from premature skin ageing to cancer.

The more the skin suffers oxidative stress, the more dehydrated it becomes and it starts to sag. Wrinkles, pigment spots and imperfections appear. The complexion dullens.

Also note that over time the skin's natural antioxidant system becomes less and less effective, while the skin's sensitivity to blue light increases as the amount of the enzyme which enables it to protect itself reduces.

The good news is that because these causes are environmental, you can protect yourself!

Here are some tips on how toprotect your skin from pollution and blue light:

• Eat a diet rich in antioxidants: foods containing vitamin C, vitamin E or polyphenols (orange, mango, kiwi, nuts, avocado, carrot, olive oil, oregano, seafood, lean meat, etc.).
• Cleanse carefully: it can't be said often enough that most of the secret to beautiful skin lies in double cleansing. The Patyka Anti-Ageing Cleansing Ritual leaves skin perfectly clean, impurity-free and detoxified.
• Include antioxidant and anti-pollution products in your beauty routine. Patyka offers a range of anti-pollution products with formulas brimming with innovative antioxidant actives! Apply Energising Eye Gel, Antioxidant Serum, Antioxidant Cream, your makeup and finally Anti-Pollution Mist to be well-defended against external aggressors!