Cigarette smoke, smog, car exhaust, wherever it’s coming from, pollution is pretty much the worst. It negatively affects not only our environment, but also our health. While the side effects of pollution are widely known, recently more attention is being paid to the effects of pollution on our skin.How Does Pollution Affect Skin? Pollution comes in many different forms, each featuring its own array of skin damaging effects ranging from premature skin aging to allergic reactions. A large contributor to the pollution we deal with on a daily basis—especially those of us who live in big cities—is cigarette smoke.While studies have shown the effects smoking has on the smoker’s—premature wrinkling among them—did you know it also can effects the skin of those around them? Studies show that third-hand smoke (the residue left after someone has smoked) can cling to hair, skin, and clothes, meaning even if you don’t smoke or stand near a smoker, your skin can still be affected by cigarettes.A Pollution-Defending Mask Kiehl’s chemists, acknowledging these negative side effects of cigarette smoke, and other forms of pollution, sought to create a solution and help defend our skin. Kiehl’s Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Masque is an innovative overnight mask created to defend our skin against the visible side effects of pollution, while simultaneously improving the appearance of texture and tone. Over time, the mask helps skin feel strengthened against environmental aggressors, like cigarette smoke.Use the mask as a final step in your nighttime skin care routine, letting it sit for five minutes and removing any excess with a soft tissue. Kiehl's Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Masque, $32
