From your skincare regimen to clothing choices, here are some small ways
to care for your body with pollution permeating the air.
For many of us, wildfires have always felt like a faraway problem — that is, until recently. Last week, sepia skies and smog-filled air blanketed many cities as a result of raging forest fires in Quebec and northeastern Ontario, causing widespread panic and confusion.
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As clouds of smoke descended onto areas like Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal — and past the border into Washington and New York — even those living far from the fires got a hefty dose of their hazardous effects. Deemed some of Canada’s most severe ever, the wildfires caused air quality alerts to be issued to millions and set off a general sense of foreboding. This, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to be coming to an end. As temps heat up and summer kicks off, experts are forecasting that the 2023 wildfire season could be worse than years past. While it’s hard not to feel anxious about what has been exhaustively referred to as apocalyptic circumstances, it’s increasingly important to know how to care for your body. Presenting: Your guide to navigating a smog-filled summer.
Avoid the effects of smog on the skin
“All this haze and soot and particulate matter damages the skin,” says Dr. Monica Li, a Vancouver-based dermatologist. Excess debris in the air clogs pores, leading to irritation which causes dryness, itchiness, redness, and breakouts. It can also inflame pre-existing conditions like rosacea, psoriasis and eczema. In the long run, smoke can accelerate premature signs of aging. But beyond that, it carries polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and Dr. Li notes that endured exposure to these components has been linked to skin cancer.
As such, part of protecting yourself means having a consistent skincare routine. Dr. Li recommends…
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