A first of its kind study showed that wildfire smoke pollution causes skin damage. The study, done by UCSF Dermatology Department, showed significant skin damage in a particularly vulnerable population of eczema patients. This is relevant to everyone because eczema patients are a ‘canary in the mine shaft’ when it comes to having a weakened skin barrier. Investigators found that eczema worsened in both known eczema patients and newly diagnosed eczema patient during one of our recent California wildfires. We can add wildfire smoke to UV rays and industrial pollution when it comes to skin exposures we want to avoid.
We know that industrial pollution and wildfire smoke lead to free radical type of skin damage called ‘oxidative stress’. The key is to reduce free radical skin damage by loading your skin with antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals before they damage your skin.Â
My top choice antioxidants for skin care are the green tea EGCG polyphenol antioxidants. These well-proven plant-based antioxidants provide double benefit for eczema because they also sooth inflamed skin. The best high concentration, stable, pharmaceutically pure green tea EGCG antioxidants are found in my Green Tea Antioxidant Skin Therapy Cream.  This product is made in an FDA regulated facility ensuring the highest quality.Â
In addition to trying to avoid wildfire smoke exposure and covering as much skin as possible during times of wildfire smoke pollution, I recommend adding a robust product with green tea antioxidants to your facial skin care routine such as Green Tea Antioxidant Skin Therapy.- Dr. Bailey
The routine includes products that work for all skin types and coordinate with any treatment products you may be using. It includes:
Digging deeper into the subject of wildfire skin damage….
Wildfire smoke pollution skin damage happens because the smoke contains particulate matter under 2.5 micrometers in size, gasses and other solid and liquid particles. We have known that these exposures exacerbate lung, heart, neuro and other diseases. Now we have evidence that they also damage skin.
We’ve known that long term pollution exposure in China is associated w/ worsening of skin eczema. Short term Chinese pollution exposure also increases symptoms.  Authors of one study state,
Pollutants induce cutaneous oxidative stress and have been shown to damage skin barrier integrity by altering transepidermal water loss, inflammatory signaling, stratum corneum pH and the skin microbiome.
Now we can add wildfire smoke to the list of airborne pollutants that cause skin damage that leads to inflammation, itch and antioxidant depletion.Â
It’s wildfire season at my home here in Northern California. I can smell smoke in the air as I type this.Â
CLEANSE exposed skin using fragrance-free and hypoallergenic soap or cleanser to remove the particulate matter and chemicals from pollution. My Naturally Best Bar Soap is ideal for the body. My Extremely Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser is pH balanced for facial skin.
Get everything you need to help your facial skin fend off pollution damage in my Complete Facial Skin Care Kit (choose the Sheer Strength Pure Physical Spray option if you want to a great all around sunscreen for neck/chest/hands/arms as well as face!).
Help your body skin resist damage when you add my Naturally Best Bar Soap, Natural Body Lotion and use my Sheer Strength Pure Physical Spray Sunscreen on exposed non-facial skin – it’s a great all around SPF.Â
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