City life in the Middle East is thrilling with fast-paced mornings, endless sun, and the constant buzz of something happening. But all that hustle comes with a cost for your skin.
The reality? Environmental stressors like fine dust particles and city smog can clog pores, trigger inflammation, and speed up signs of ageing. Add to that the heat, humidity, and dry indoor AC, and you’ve got the perfect storm for skin fatigue.
Skincare is your shield. The more consistently you care for your skin, the less repair work you’ll need later. To help us break down exactly what’s happening to our skin and how to defend it, Cosmopolitan Middle East turned to Milena Denisenko, a certified dermatologist, cosmetologist, and founder of Milyne Aesthetic Center in Dubai. Milena knows firsthand how environmental factors impact everything from hydration levels to long-term skin health.
CosmoME: How can dust affect your skin?
Milena: Urban dust is more than just dirt. It’s a complex mixture of particles, including car exhaust, industrial pollutants, pollen, microplastics, and heavy metals. These particles are incredibly fine and can deeply affect the skin in various ways:
Clogged pores: Fine dust particles settle on the skin and can penetrate into pores, especially in oily and combination skin types. This can lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and breakouts.
Inflammation and irritation: Pollutants can trigger inflammatory reactions, resulting in redness, itching, flaking, and discomfort – particularly for sensitive or dry skin.
Premature aging: Free radicals found in urban dust damage skin cells, accelerating the aging process. This may appear as fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness.
Weakened skin barrier: Constant exposure to pollution reduces the skin’s natural defense, making it more vulnerable to environmental stressors, dehydration, and microbial imbalance.
All skin types are affected, but sensitive, dry, and acne-prone skin tend to react more visibly and quickly to urban dust exposure.
Cosmo ME: What can you do to protect skin from severe dust conditions?
Milena: Protecting your skin from environmental aggressors like dust involves building a solid, consistent skincare routine. Here’s a recommended approach:
Morning:
- Cleanse with a gentle gel or foam cleanser.
- Tone with an alcohol-free toner to balance and refresh the skin.
- Apply an antioxidant serum (vitamin C, niacinamide) to neutralize free radicals.
- Use a lightweight moisturizer with hydrating and protective ingredients.
- Finish with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, even on cloudy days.
Evening:
- Perform double cleansing – start with micellar water or cleansing oil to remove makeup and pollutants, followed by your regular cleanser.
- Tone and apply a night cream with reparative ingredients like peptides or ceramides.
1–2 Times a Week:
- Use a detoxifying mask with ingredients like clay, charcoal, or green tea to deeply purify and re-energise the skin.
Cosmo ME: Any go-to products you recommend?
Milena: Some of my favorite go-to products for city skin include:
- Gentle cleansers: La Roche-Posay Toleriane, CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
- Toners: Klairs Supple Preparation Toner (alcohol-free and calming)
- Antioxidant serums: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic, The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension
- Moisturisers: Avene Hydrance, Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
- SPF: ISDIN Fusion Water SPF 50, La Roche-Posay Anthelios
- Detox masks: Caudalie Instant Detox, Glamglow Supermud, or any kaolin-based mask with green tea or charcoal