How does pollution affect the skin?

Pollutants get a bad rap in the dermatological field because they create free radicals in the body—unstable molecules that damage the cells and tissues. Subsequently, they weaken the skin’s antioxidant capacity and leave it vulnerable to more damage from other external threats. 

How this affects your skin is worrying, at least. Both outdoor and indoor pollution was found to accelerate skin aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, reduce skin moisture, aggravate acne, and worsen inflammatory conditions.