Dr. Rokhsar was chosen by 
Urban living has its benefits. However, pollution and commuting can add stress and excessive dirt build up on your complexion. It’s impractical for most to abandon the city life and move to a farm free of most pollutants, but simple skincare routines can help. Skin is the largest organ on the body, and completely covers the body, protects its organs and holds everything together. It breathes through tiny pores that help regulate body temperature and expel grime and debris that accumulates throughout the day.
It’s called smog, and it could be damaging skin cells while depleting them of important skin-nourishing vitamins like Vitamin E. Blocked pores create irregular pigmentation, blackheads, dried out and dull skin.
Stress itself robs the body of important skin nutrients, and when hormones are out of balance acne can arise regardless of age. Stress also encourages alcohol and tobacco use, both substances that, after prolonged use, can damage the skin. It doesn’t matter if the sun is out either, even on a cloudy day the sun’s UV rays can cause damage. This is especially possible when people believe the misconception that clouds will protect the sun so sunscreen is unnecessary – false. Skin should be protected with at least SPF 30 Broad Spectrum everyday you’re exposing your skin to the sun.
Fortunately, there are several things you can incorporate into your daily life in order to help protect your skin from clogged pores, city smog, and the stress of it all. Basic skincare routines that include cleansing and moisturizing every morning before heading out the door can make all the difference, and popping a capsule of Vitamin E or C can help supplement the loss you experience from the city air. Of course, an application of sunscreen will protect and preserve throughout the day.
Pollution is concentrated in forms of car, smoke and sun pollutants, all of which exist in large clusters throughout the city. Since the pollutants can’t be avoided due to the high density population, skin must be protected and treated with more delicate care to combat the daily grime exposure.
Dr. Cameron Rokhsar
Dr. Cameron Rokhsar, MD, FAAD, FAACS, is the founder and medical director of the New York Cosmetic, Skin, & Laser Surgery Center. Dr. Rokhsar is a graduate of Harvard College and NYU School of Medicine. Dr. Rokhsar is double board certified in dermatology and micrographic dermatologic surgery, being one of the few select dermatologists in the country who is also fellowship trained in laser surgery. A researcher and innovator, Dr. Rokhsar is the creator of the non-surgical nose job and has been instrumental in the research and development of laser systems such as the Fraxel, CO2, Mirady, Vbeam, Themitight, and Ulthera devices. An Associate Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC, Dr. Rokhsar actively teaches the cosmetic dermatology clinic to the resident at Mount Sinai. An expert injector of fillers, and a trainer for many companies, patients fly in from around the world to see Dr. Rokhsar in his Garden City and Manhattan offices in New York.