3 Tested and Proven Ways to Achieve “Glass Skin” Despite Air Pollution

From drinking more water to choosing the right facial products, these tips can help you achieve healthy and clear skin.

Is air pollution ruining your dreams of achieving clear and dewy “glass skin” like your favorite K-pop celebrities? Here are three science-backed tips to help you achieve flawless and glowing skin — despite living in the city!

1. Eat More Antioxidant-rich Foods

Many skincare experts around the world believe that a well-balanced diet including antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E can help you achieve healthy and clear skin. So, the next time you find yourself reaching for that packet of potato chips, try loading up on antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries, avocados, kale, oranges, or carrots instead!

2. Drink Your Way to Clear Skin

Every cell in your body requires water, a vital nutrient, to function properly. Without sufficient water, your skin may become dry, flaky or even age prematurely! Unsurprisingly, it is important to stay hydrated — but just how many glasses of water is enough? While “eight eight-ounce glasses of water” used to be the standard advice, this number actually differs for everyone based on factors ranging from the environment you are in to your overall health.

The US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that an average, healthy man should take in about 125 ounces (3.7 liters) of water a day, while the average healthy woman would need 91 ounces (2.7 liters) of water. Drink up!

3. Check Air Quality Before Heading Out

Before you plan any outdoor activities, be sure to check the air quality forecast. This gives you a good gauge of what the level of pollution is going to be like in the next few days. If the pollution level is high, try to limit the amount of time you spend outdoors.

This can be especially true when there is fine dust in the air, like during the yellow dust season. Taiwan-based dermatologist Dr Wu Ching Ying shares, “During yellow dust season, we typically advise people to go out less often because even if we wear masks, we still cannot avoid being exposed to micro pollutants.”

Ultimately, the most effective way to combat the harmful effects of air pollution is still to look for an anti-pollution face cleanser that can remove micro pollutants. For example, the Neutrogena Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser has been clinically proven to remove micro pollutants as small as PM 2.5, which is able to penetrate into the skin* . Try it today!

*epidermis layer only