Page 22 - Good Health English

Pollutants & The Skin

hat exactly do pollutants do to giving the gel its characteristic thick, sticky
the skin? First, they can aggravate consistency. By creating a gelatinous shield
Wexisting skin problems, including over the skin, Aloe helps keep pollutants out
atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and scaly skin, and water in.
as discovered by researchers who found Aloe Vera also neutralizes oxidative stress in
these diseases are more severe in urban three distinct ways.
populations. Second, they can increase the
incidence of skin diseases. • First, Aloe naturally contains a variety
of antioxidants—including vitamins,
But a more far-reaching problem is that phenolic compounds and peroxidases—
pollutants generate free radicals, those that directly quench free radicals on the
unstable molecules that have been skin and in the body.
implicated in the aging process, including
the aging of the skin. While the body is • Second, in addition to containing its own
equipped to neutralize a certain amount stores of antioxidants, Aloe Vera gel may
of these rogue molecules, sometimes its also activate the body’s endogenous
antioxidant reserves are depleted faster antioxidant enzyme systems.
than can be replenished. • Finally, Aloe has the unique and
Collagen and Elastin are not free radicals’ remarkable ability to increase the
only victims. Another study, found air absorption of vitamins E and C.
pollutants such as ozone and nitric oxide Another way Aloe Vera gel protects the
increase the oxidation of sebum, the skin’s skin is that it activates metabolism, which

built in moisturizer. The researchers noted is responsible for inactivating, detoxifying
that pollutants affect the smoothness and and eliminating pollutants, including free
brightness of the skin, compromises the radicals. This is a crucial function because
skin’s natural defenses and may enhance whether a toxin ultimately causes harm is
irritation and allergic reactions. largely determined by how well the body is
There’s one last skin problem caused by able to detoxify it.
air pollution, although indirectly. Because Aloe also restores immune suppression
pollutants such as chlorofluorocarbons caused by UVB rays. When UVB rays hit the
have eaten a hole in the ozone layer, people skin, they not only create free radicals, they
are exposed to higher levels of UVB rays also suppress immunity. Unfortunately, due
than they were in the past, putting them to the release of ozone-depleting pollutants
at greater danger of skin cancer. For every into the atmosphere, the ozone layer does
percentage decrease in ozone, there is a not absorb as much UVB radiation as it used
2 percent increase in UVB radiation, and a to.
predicted 2 percent increase in skin cancer.
Aloe Vera For Modern Times

At a basic level, Aloe acts as a barrier to
pollutants. One of the skin’s main purposes
is to protect the body from pathogens and
toxins by acting as a barrier. Applied topically,
Aloe gel reinforces that barrier. How? The
mucopolysaccharides contained within
Aloe Vera form chemical bonds with water,

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