This article on Air Pollution is taken from an interesting article and how our skin is affected. I would suggest that you read the full article for more information along with the supporting evidence. The citation and link to the complete article are shown at the bottom of the text. Note that italics, here, are mine.
Air pollution causes oxidative stress. Air pollutants enter the skin via nanoparticles and generate quinones, which are redox-cycling chemicals that produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). This increase in the amount of ROS and free radicals within the cell and its mitochondria overcomes the skin’s innate antioxidant defences, including depletion of enzymatic (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) and nonenzymatic (vitamin E, vitamin C, and glutathione) antioxidant capacities.
Skin interfaces with the atmosphere. Studies show that pollutants gain entrance to the skin by direct accumulation on the skin surface, absorption via the hair follicles, inhalation, ingestion, and circulation of pollutants in plasma that diffuse into deeper dermal tissues. PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) can be detected not only in the air but also in all human bodily fluids and in hair.
There are two documented ways for pollution to permeate the skin: trans-epidermal and absorption through hair follicles and sweat ducts. The trans-epidermal route can be divided into the shorter, trans-cellular and the longer, intercellular routes for penetration of hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds, respectively. Absorption through hair follicles and sweat ducts is the shortest route.
Skin disorders associated with air pollution
Photoaging
We have known for decades that smoking leads to premature aging. Epidemiological studies discovered a direct link between airborne particulate matter exposure and the occurrence of prominent skin aging signs especially pigment spots, as well as wrinkles.
Lentigines
A lentigo (plural lentigines) is a small brown macule located typically on the face, hands, and chest. Variously called liver spots, Hori’s macules, solar lentigines, and senile lentigines, they are typically associated with advancing age but may be seen in some unique dermatologic syndromes. Solar lentigines can be considered a sign of premature aging.
Melasma
Melasma is a benign, acquired, irregularly patterned, light- to dark-brown hyperpigmentation, with symmetric distribution mostly over the face but at times also involving the neck, chest, and shoulders. The etiology of melasma includes genetic predisposition, hormones, and most importantly UV radiation. Recent studies suggest pollution as a possible emerging risk factor for the development of melasma.
Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema
Strong evidence-based medicine demonstrates that outdoor air pollution is related to exacerbation of pre-existing asthma, development of atopic diseases, and allergic sensitisation.
Skin Barrier Dysfunction
Skin barrier dysfunction is associated with the reduced production of terminal differentiation molecules such as filaggrin. Abnormal skin barrier integrity also causes an increased colonization of microbes such as Staphylococcus Aureus, which further exacerbates (certain) skin inflammations.
Psoriasis
We know that pollution negatively affects psoriasis by the same mechanism seen in Atopic Dermatitis. Cadmium, found in battery and television manufacturing and the aircraft industry, is one of the newly identified air pollutants that affect the pathogenesis of psoriasis. It is proposed that environmental exposure to cadmium may compromise immunity, and microenvironmental perturbations can predispose to worsening of psoriasis.
Acne
A robust body of evidence indicates a link between pollution and inflammatory acne. The prevalence of acne is similar between Asian and Caucasian women, but Asian women were reported to have a higher prevalence of inflammatory than comedonal acne (20 vs 10%), compared with Caucasian women.
Skin Cancer
Pollution is associated with an increased risk for skin cancer. The “pollutants” that react most specifically with the skin are UV radiation, PAHs (eg, benzo[a]pyrene), volatile organic compounds (eg, benzene), heavy metals, and O3. UV radiation, a “physical” pollutant, is thought to be the factor responsible for most skin cancers in humans. The genotoxicity of UV light is well documented and its carcinogenic effect is clearly demonstrated in humans.
Not my own work. The above article is taken from:
Wendy Roberts, Generational and Cosmetic Dermatology, Rancho Mirage, CA, United States Air pollution and skin disorders, International Journal of Women's Dermatology,Volume 7, Issue 1,2021, Pages 91-97,ISSN 2352-6475,
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