This May Be A Leading Cause Of Dark Spots, According to a Recent Study

Dark spots are the absolute worst. It’s bad enough that reducing their appearance is no cake walk, but on top of that, it’s not always easy to pinpoint why they cropped up in the first place. Natural skin aging, UV light exposure, and plain old genes—thanks, mom and dad!—bear the brunt of the blame. But what if we told you that there may be another reason dark spots can crop up and the scary part is that most of us are exposed to it on a daily basis. Keep reading to find out what could be silently ruining your complexion!

Now for the moment of truth. According to a recent study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, there’s another dark-spot culprit to point the finger at: chronic exposure to traffic-related air pollution. We can’t say it’s completely shocking since we’re already up to speed on the negative effects pollution can have on skin, particularly in urban areas. (Need a quick primer? Read this.) But that doesn’t make it any less alarming.

The findings of this study showed that exposure to nitrogen dioxide was significantly associated with more dark spots on the cheeks, but even more evident on the cheeks of women exposed to more polluted air. They were also more visible in women above the age of 50. Despite the study’s limitations it’s evident that there is a relationship between traffic-related air pollution and dark spots.

As it turns out, studies like this actually help to inspire the Research & Innovation team at L’Oréal USA to develop new scientific discoveries for product development. And, between studies like this and ones that show a possible link between acne and free radicals, it’s clear that the connection between pollution and skin care is top of mind. Donna McCann, R&I Corporate with L’Oréal USA, notes that anti-pollution skin care is in fact a rising trend in the industry. “The effects of air pollution—gaseous and particulate matter—is a rising concern for the global population and is trending in the industry,” she explains. “Studies are being conducted on new and existing cosmetic ingredients to show anti-pollution efficacy.”

If there’s anything to take away from this news, it’s that protecting skin against air pollution is an absolute must, especially if you live in a big city. McCann shares that one of the best lines of defense is to use products formulated with antioxidants to help protect skin from potential free radical damage. She also notes that daily broad-spectrum SPF application is important to help prevent future damage including wrinkles, fine lines, and you guessed…dark spots. Lucky for you, we’re sharing a solid game plan to help defend your skin from air pollution, here!