Over the past few years, research has shown that where you live can have a massive influence on the health of your skin. This means that the city and area you reside in could either be helping or hampering your journey to glowing and healthy skin. There is an obvious connection between skin health and pollution. To keep you informed if you ever decide to relocate, here are the best and worst cities for your skin in the country.

1. New York
New York is one of the most popular cities in the country. It is also one of the most skin-healthy cities. The Big Apple has a very low number of skin cancer cases. In the last decade, the city prohibited smoking in public areas and parks. This has improved the overall air quality, resulting in better skin health. This can also be attributed to the solo and communal efforts to lower emissions on a day-to-day basis. On the downside, New York is also one of the most stressful cities to live in. This could be bad for your skin, but you can manage your stress levels by indulging in stress-relieving activities such as yoga.

2. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is another city that is great for your skin health. This is merely because this city has the highest number of dermatologists per capita. It has tons of innovation and is a bustling center for research in the field of skincare and dermatology. Great skin health in this city can also be attributed to the lifestyle of its citizens. Most people living here follow an active lifestyle, helping them achieve healthier skin. The downside to Boston is that it experiences all four seasons throughout the year. This means that your skin has to constantly adapt to different climates.

3. Honolulu, Hawaii
The high levels of skin health in Honolulu, Hawaii, can be attributed to its significantly low levels of air pollution. Not to mention, the capital of the island state also has zero high-ozone days. Therefore, your skin will not be exposed to the harsh rays of the sun. Typically, skin is damaged due to free radicals that are present in the environment due to pollution. Free radicals lead to oxidative damage and even worsen the effects of UV rays on the skin. Moreover, citizens of Honolulu, on average, live an extremely healthy lifestyle, resulting not only in good skin health but also overall holistic health.

It’s not always possible or feasible to move to another location for healthy skin. Instead, individuals who live in high-risk zones need to take the right precautions to protect their skin from damage. Taking precautions such as applying sunscreen, drinking tons of water, and maintaining a healthy diet can go a long way in keeping your skin healthy and protecting it from damage.