How the Environment Affects Your Skin?

Sun:

The rays of the sun have more potential to change the look of your skin than any other environmental factor. Sunburn or even a tan indicates your skin has been damaged, and sun damage causes your skin to age before it's time. Ultraviolet light from the sun breaks down collagen and elastin, the building blocks of your skin, causing wrinkling and sagging. The sun's rays also make skin rough and can over stimulate pigment cells, causing brown spots. To protect your skin: Doctors recommend the daily use of a sunscreen or foundation with an SPF 15. 

Winter and summer: Your skin is pliable and soft, and tends to look its best in humid climates. That's because skin actually draws the moisture from the air into its top layers. Meanwhile, dry air will sap moisture from the skin, leaving it flaky, tight and rough. Eventually your skin adjusts -- even if you were to move to Alaska from the tropics, your skin wouldn't stay dry forever. In the meantime, a good moisturizer (and drinking lots of water) will help with the symptoms of dry skin.

Pollution:

Pollution is a troublemaker in a couple of important ways: Dust can clog pores and increase bacteria on the face, both of which cause acne. Invisible chemical pollutants in the air can interfere with your skin's natural protection system. Studies show that pollution can actually cause reactions in the skin that inhibit the way skin builds and repairs itself.