We are constantly marketed products to target various areas of skin concern, from redness to pigmentation, fine lines to dull skin, but rarely are we told how to prevent the cause of these. Ceramides, for example, are a brilliant, hardworking ingredient and a real buzzword in beauty at the moment, and for good reason – they work harder than any other product to repair the skin barrier. But what if we could also stop the skin barrier from being compromised to begin with?

Skincare expert Dr Ejikeme and her team from Adonia Medical Clinic have been working at Westfield’s The Beauty Edit events (the next will take place 5-7 April at Westfield Stratford City) to help solve shoppers’ skincare concerns, many of which are caused by pollution.

Dr Ejikeme explains: “Pollution can affect the skin in negative ways, from vessels to background redness, rosacea, high pigmentation, dull skin and premature fine lines.”

She says there are three steps – suitable for all skin types – that we should follow to protect our skin and our skin’s barrier from daily pollution.

Cleansing is the all-important first step in any skincare routine. We should cleanse every morning, and double cleanse at night, especially if we have been wearing make-up. 

“We aren’t often told exactly how to cleanse,” says Dr Ejikeme. “Cleanse in the morning, with warm or room temperature water – it doesn’t need to be hot – for 30 seconds. Definitely double cleanse at night.”

If you’re fighting some of the effects of pollution, she recommends using azelaic acid at night. 

“Azelaic acid is an ingredient everyone needs,” she says. “ It helps reduce redness, it helps with spots. It’s anti-inflammatory, it helps the barrier function of the skin, it helps with dark spots – it reduces how dark pigmentation gets. It’s an amazing ingredient. You can use it every day, and it can be quite gentle.”

She also explains how to introduce new products effectively into your skincare routine – and how long to wait before you should see results. “You need to give products a chance,” she says. “But if you don’t see results within three months, stop using the product. You can add one thing into your routine in each three-month period.”

Although widely understood to be highly effective in skincare, Dr. Ejikeme stresses that adding antioxidants into your morning routine is crucial to protecting your skin against pollution and external aggressors. 

“Vitamins C and E are the most effective antioxidants,” she says. “You should use them with your sunscreen to give you up to seven times more protection. You need to make sure you use your antioxidants in the morning, as they are going to neutralise the free radicals that you are exposed to during the day. Use them before you apply your sunscreen.”

Vitamin C can be an irritating active for more sensitive skin, so Dr Ejikeme advises to add it slowly. “Add it three times a week to begin with. And if vitamin C doesn’t work, then vitamin E or niacinamide may be more easily tolerated by your skin and will have a similar impact.”

We should be wearing factor 30 or above all year-round, and upgrafe to factor 50 once the warm weather arrives in summer. If you struggle with what type of sunscreen to go for, Dr Ejikeme recommends picking something that works for your skin type. 

“If your skin is dry, go for a creamy sunscreen,” she says. “If you’re oily, go for a mattifying, oil-free option. For example, Heliocare is amazing. For someone with malasma, look for a sunscreen with iron oxide in. When my skin is dry I use Bondi Sands, and when my skin is oily and more breakout-prone I use Heliocare, which is also a lovely base for make-up. If I’m wearing make-up, I want a mattifying base, but if I’m going make-up free I might want something more moisturising. La Roche Posey Athelios is lovely and lightweight.”

In terms of amounts, aim for two fingers’ worth of SPF to be used across the face and neck, and use a standalone SPF rather than one integrated into another product, otherwise you just aren’t getting enough protection. 

For more information about The Beauty Edit, visit: https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/beauty-2024

Imagery: courtesy of brands