Skincare Products and Treatments: Combatting Pollution For Clearer Skin

Anti-pollution skincare for the win!

How many times a week do you find yourself with the heat of bus exhaust on your face? Or glance out over the horizon and see a layer of smog covering our lovely landscape? (We need to go wash our faces just thinking about it!) Usually we are concerned about our family’s lungs but lately we’ve been thinking about how it is harming our skin too. “Pollution can cause uneven skin tone, accelerated ageing and even skin cancer,” says Doris Day, M.D., clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Centre. (Quoted in Self magazine, October 2014) We can’t afford to age any faster, so we were keen to try out a few products and treatments that help combat the negative effects of pollution. Now they aren’t cheap, but sometimes you just can’t put a price on looking younger!

Confession… I am a Clarins junkie so I had extremely high expectations for this product. After investing in a million different brands of sunscreen, this has become my absolute favourite and the anti-pollution element is an added bonus for those hazy days. It is the only separate sunscreen product that I actually want to put on each morning and that alone makes it worth the hefty price. It is weightless, non-greasy and sits flawlessly under makeup. Even in the heat and humidity, this doesn’t slide off of your face. Perfect!

Available from Clarins for $380

Clinique was one of the first makeup brands that I was allowed to use growing up and they continue to be a mainstay. The City Block is a little thicker than the Clarins but you know for sure that you are getting uniform coverage. It isn’t greasy and is great as a primer and base before applying your makeup.

Available from Lane Crawford for $315

Facial mists are tricky. How can you tell if it’s working? At the very least, Ren’s anti-pollution mist is refreshing and has a light scent that fades quickly. It is great to keep in your bag and spritz throughout the day since it can be sprayed over makeup without ruining it.

On sale now (low in stock!) at ASOS for $234.14. Also available at Net-a-Porter.

I can’t decide what I love more, the smell (think warm clove-y tones) or the way it leaves my face feeling. It comes with a muslin cloth that gently exfoliates, truly giving you the feeling that you have washed away the day (and Hong Kong grime!).

Available for $360 from Net-a-Porter.

This cream-based face wash is great for all skin types and the rich formula feels nourishing, even on dry skin.

Available from Clarins for $240

Nothing beats the evenings when I have enough time to put on a face mask (while soaking in the tub with a glass of wine, ideally). Kiehl’s has given me the excuse to aim for that two to three times per week, according to the instructions on their pollutant defending masque.

Available from Kiehl’s for $265

I first came across Tata Harper years ago at the suggestion of Gwyneth Paltrow (via her website Goop!) I was instantly hooked and love the purifying mask (and the resurfacing mask). Tata Harper products are 100% natural and non-toxic too. Double win!

Available from Naturisimo for GBP 54, with free shipping to Hong Kong

I have to admit that we didn’t care what this facial was doing for me as it was so relaxing, I fell asleep. Thankfully, I woke up to skin that really did look and feel better. I should mention though that this treatment includes a mild electric current – don’t worry, it only sounds dangerous and doesn’t hurt. Phew.

Available at the Mandarin Oriental Spa, $2,200 for the one hour treatment.

Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Rd Central, Central, Hong Kong, 2522 0111

A 15-minute facial seemed too quick to be effective but I was blown away at the results I saw after a few sessions. The Hong Kong grime really did seem to vaporise. The only downside was the lack of massage and feeling like you received a true pampering. But that’s not what they are about so we can get over it!

Available at Skin Laundry, first time free, then $550 per session. Locations throughout Hong Kong.

Here at Sassy Mama HQ, we can’t get enough of Melomist Spa! The facials are relaxing and we really feel taken care of. This purifying facial is just the thing to de-gunk your face without drying out your skin.

Available at Melomist, $880 for the 60-minute treatment

Melomist Spa, 3/F, Cheung Hing Commercial Building, No, 37-43 Cochrane street, Central, Hong Kong, 2450 2220