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By Lollie Hancock
Beauty and Self Care Reporter
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Hormones, health, hygiene and genetics are all factors known to affect your skin health, but another key element is often ignored—where you live.
Without realizing it, where you live in the USA could be a huge contributing factor to skin concerns, with each state having varying impacts of air quality, UV rays, temperature and humidity on the epidermis.
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To shed some insight into the subject, skin care brand Clarins analyzed existing third-party government data on environmental factors across the states.
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Clarins used figures from World Population Review for air quality, Statista for data on average fine particle matter pollution levels, official government website EPH Tracking analyzed sun exposure state-by-state, and statewide temperature rankings from the national centers for environmental information were also referenced by the brand to give a complete overview.
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These sources were then used to reveal the "best" and "worst" states for skin health, with a score from 0-50 awarded to each state, although Alaska and Hawaii weren't included in the overall rankings due to lack of data in some subcategories.
Those with a lower overall score were seen to have the best environment for skin health, while the higher scores indicated bigger environmental stressors.
Best States For Skin Health
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When it comes to the best states to live in for your skin health, those residing in Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire can rest easy knowing they've taken the top three spots.
Maine had the lowest overall score of just 6.3 out of 50, with its UV exposure levels particularly low thanks to limited sunlight. The state scored just two out of 50 in the annual sun exposure category, and also boasts one of the lowest air quality and pollution levels in America, according the government data analyzed by the beauty retailer.
Following closely behind in second is Vermont, which scored consistently low across all environmental factors analyzed by Clarins. The state scored 7.3 out of 50 to secure its position in the top three, followed by New Hampshire, which scored 9.7, and remained in the top three across all categories.
Looking at the specific subcategories revealed further insight into each states' skin benefits. As well as being the best state overall, Maine took the top spot for air quality, scoring an impressive five out of 50 for air quality days, meaning the state has good levels when it comes to ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. The state also had the best score when it came to sun exposure, with a UV score of just two out of 50.
Worst States for Skin Health
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On the other end of the table, the data revealed Georgia has the worst environment for skin health, meaning inhabitants of the southeastern state may want to reassess their skin care routine.
The state's overall score was a high 41.8 out of 50, with air quality particularly poor—48 out of 50. California and Arizona took the second and third positions, with their hot climates and excessive sun exposure a contributing factor to the states' final ranking.
As for UV and sunlight levels, neighboring states Arizona, Nevada and California held the three top spots. Arizona scored a high 47 out of 50 for its UV levels and average annual sun exposure, with Nevada scoring 46 and California 45.
How to Protect You Skin From Environmental Impact
Newsweek spoke to Dr. Rachel Reyes-Bergano, aesthetic physician at SkinSpirit Pasadena, LA, who shed some insight into how to ensure your skin is well protected from these uncontrollable environmental factors.
She commented: "We recommend certain skin care products not only based on skin type but also weather conditions. Humid and warm temperatures, for example, can lead to increased sebum production and clogged pores. Therefore, this type of weather requires less emollient-type products as heavy moisturizers could further exacerbate pore congestion, skin inflammation."
Excessive sun exposure can be dangerous, as she explained: "UV exposure can exacerbate certain skin conditions that involve increased production of melanocytes (pigment making cells that live deep to our epidermal skin layer). Melasma is a skin disorder involving hyperpigmented patches primarily on the face and more common in female patients; provoked by hormonal changes and heat."
It's not just melasma that can be triggered by excessive UV exposure, as she continued: "Hot climates are also known to cause flare-ups of rosacea, which presents as prolonged facial flushing/redness and some patients may also present with visible superficial blood vessels around their nose or cheeks."
So, what should you be adding to your routine to combat environmental impact?
Hot and Dry Climates
When it comes to hot and dry climates, Reyes-Bergano recommended to "make sure to keep skin not only moisturized but hydrated. I like to add a hyaluronic acid serum prior to my moisturizer as it will help maintain skin plumpness and hydration despite dry weather."
Hot and Humid Climates
If where you live is hot and humid, she shared that this "can lead to increased sebum production and clogged pores. Therefore this type of weather requires less emollient-type products. Heavy moisturizers could further exacerbate pore congestion, skin inflammation."
Reyes-Bergano added: "Using a combination alpha/beta hydroxy acid cleanser will help remove sebum, makeup and SPF without stripping skin of its own natural moisturizing factors."
Cold and Dry Climates
Cold and dry environments can be tough on our skin during the winter months, so Reyes-Bergano recommended to look for lipid-boosting products to add into your skin care routine, as this "replenishes our skin's essential lipids to keep our protective skin barrier intact during dry, winter months."
Cold and Damp Climates
If you're stuck facing both cold and wet weather, she encourages looking at more in-depth treatments to keep your skin in top condition.
"Exosomes have become quite a buzz in aesthetics as they contain growth factors which keep our collagen stimulated," she explained.
Heavily Polluted Areas
There are a number of ingredients known for their antipollution properties, according to Reyes-Bergano. She recommended: "It's important to use a topical antioxidant daily to help neutralize free radicals to prevent damage to our skin... I advise patients to use a pure L-ascorbic acid serum that is between 10-20%, along with an acidic pH which will assist in how effective the product penetrates our skin.
"A powerful antioxidant serum is one of the best ways we can combat air pollution."
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