How Air Pollution Ages You

"Toxins pollute and clog up our skin and can be the major cause of acne, puffiness, lack of circulation (creating dull, dry skin) and other skin disorders," Heather Wilson, a holistic nutritionist for the skin and beauty brand East West Essentials, told weather.com.

Dr. Draelos explained that pollution-related skin damage accumulates on your skin that way other factors do, such as sun damage, indoor tanning or smoking. There is one specific skin factor you can blame pollution for, however: discolored spots. "There is some good evidence to show that exposure to pollution causes more age spots," she said. "Those pollution particles that sit on the surface [of the skin] increase the amount of melanin," or skin pigmentation, leading to dark sports.