Phoenix residents need to beware of the skin damage trifecta: Pollution, sunshine (85 percent of days are sunny annually), and dry heat (only 50 percent average humidity). Lack of humidity can cause skin to dry out, making it more likely to wrinkle, says Bank. If not properly protected, this combo could leave you with dry, deep wrinkles and a high risk of skin cancer. Sounds like Arizonans could use one of these antioxidant-rich sunscreens to protect them from skin damaging free radicals and UV rays.
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No. 4: Las Vegas, Nevada
Sin City residents are likely committing skin sins on a daily basis, even if they aren't spending late nights in the clubs and casinos. The stress level and smoking rate are through the roof here, and the year-round sunshine and only 39 percent average humidity doesn't help the good skin cause. If you call Las Vegas home, slather on an antioxidant infused moisturizing lotion and plenty of SPF daily. Estee Lauder DayWear Plus, $38, and Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant, $48, are both top-rated by TotalBeauty.com readers.
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No. 3: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sorry Steelers fans, you might want to take the closest bridge out of town because your "City of Bridges" has a triple whammy for your skin: It is the second most polluted city in the country (for year-round particle pollution) according to the American Lung Association, with the second highest tanning salons per capita (28!), and a high smoking rate (20.2 percent). If you call The Burgh home make sure you counteract skin damage with one of these vitamin-packed serums. (And if you do live in Pittsburgh, make sure you take care of your hair too, since this town made it onto our worst hair cities list as well.)
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No. 2: Houston, Texas
The Lone Star State's largest city has very high ozone pollution combined with a high smoking rate and 90 percent humidity (our pores are clogging just thinking about it). And it looks like H-Town wreaks havoc on more than just skin because it also made our list of the worst hair cities.
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No. 1: Bakersfield, California
The American Lung Association ranks Bakersfield as the city most polluted by year-round particle pollution. The area's dry, stagnant weather doesn't help matters either (nasty pollutants and no fresh, cool air to blow them away). This combined with Bakersfield's record-high sunshine and heat makes this Cali locale a combat zone for your skin. As Dr. Kunin explains, the actual particle pollution obviously isn't good for skin, but what's even more damaging is when the pollution depletes the ozone layer and allows stronger, more damaging UV rays to reach us (Bakersfield is the second most ozone-polluted city).
Before blowing your next paycheck at the derm's office or on pricey skin care products, take a closer look at the place you call home. We looked at pollution levels, sunshine and humidity averages, skin cancer, smoking rates, and even tanning salons per capita to determine which U.S. locales could be disastrous for your skin. Did your city make the list?
