Cigarette smoke contains thousands of different harmful chemicals: nicotine, carbon monoxide, ammonia — the list goes on. You probably know the general health risks, but that’s you Curious if these toxins can also affect your skin?
The answer is resounding Yes. In fact, smoking is a significant part of the daily environmental and lifestyle factors called exposures that affect skin health. Today, we take a look at what this habit means for your skin and how to take better care of your skin — whether you smoke, vape, don’t smoke, or are trying to quit (you got that!).
What is skin exposure?
Think about the hundreds of small choices you make every day: what you eat, how much you sleep, or how often you are exposed to vaping or cigarette smoke. All these things – both the good and the not so good – are added to affect your skin.
This concept, known as exposure, includes everything from your daily habits to external stressors like pollution and sun exposure. Together, these factors play a powerful role in how your skin ages and responds to the world.
What is one of the most influential exponential factors? Smoking. Cigarette smoke exposes your skin to harmful toxins and can lead to wrinkles, dullness and a tired appearance. This makes for a holistic skincare approach (taking both your lifestyle and environment into account) the best path to long-term healthy skin.
How does smoking affect your skin?
The main culprit is something called oxidative stress. When you smoke, the toxins released can activate this bodily process and damage your skin cells. This series of events can cause inflammation and break down collagen, a protein essential for skin elasticity.
The overall result? The visible signs of skin aging. And studies show the more you smoke, the more it can leave a mark.
But aging is not the main concern here — health is the priority. Smoking constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the skin. This can lead to reduced oxygen and nutrients, further contributing to damage.
What about vaping?
Although there is not as much research available as for cigarette smoke, the pattern is clear. Vaping also leads to cell damage and reduced blood flow to the skin. Sense; THE The risks of premature skin aging and cancer or pre-cancer are probably similar to cigarette smoke.
Here’s something else to consider: many popular vape flavors also contain skin sensitizers. Some of their cosmetic fragrance and flavor ingredients may increase the risk for allergic skin reactions on the face, neck and hands.
How to take care of your skin, smoker to non-smoker
We are not here to judge. But when it comes to improving the appearance of your skin and your general health, Quitting smoking is the way. And if possible, the sooner the better – research shows that stopping will not automatically reverse signs of aging and other damage.
Whatever you choose, there’s plenty you can do right now! Start by prioritizing self-care and adding more healthy habits to your skincare routine.
Here are three top tips to help keep your skin looking its best:
Cleaning twice a day is essential
The first step in any skin care routine, washing your face regularly helps support the skin’s natural processes that keep things clear and healthy. An example? Cleaning helps support the skin’s natural barrier function. This basic barrier protects against environmental aggressors, such as cigarette smoke, which can damage the skin.
Gently cleanse your face in the morning to make sure the rest of your skin care products can work properly. Then again at night to help flush out any toxins that may be trying to stick.
Antioxidants are your allies
Vitamin E, vitamin C, melatonin — these powerful antioxidants help inhibit oxidative stress. They work to help stabilize free radicals, neutralizing, delaying or helping to prevent further damage from the oxidative process.
Although our bodies produce their own antioxidants to fight the effects of sun damage, pollution and other skin aging agents (such as cigarette smoke), they are not enough. In addition, these natural repair processes they don’t work as efficiently as we age. That’s where a little extra help comes in from antioxidant skin care.
Choose an antioxidant recovery serum after cleansing at night to help your skin repair the stress of the day.
Sunscreen is your best friend
Remember, the exponents are all interrelated — they interact and even reinforce each other. When combined with UV radiation, smoking intensifies oxidative stress and inflammation. A study showed that heavy smokers who also spent a lot of time in the sun were done 11 times more likely to have noticeable wrinkles by non-smokers and those with less sun exposure.
But more importantly, smoking, too much sun, or both can also increase the risk of serious skin problems, such as cancer. The best way to protect yourself? Enjoy the sun safely and reach for a high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen every day.
Wondering how much sunscreen to apply? Try the two-finger rule: Apply sunscreen along your index and middle finger for the perfect amount to use on your face and neck. And remember reapply at least every two hours.
Things are looking up
You’re already on the right track. The more you know about your skin and how your daily choices can affect it, the better you can take care of it.
Whether smoking is part of your current lifestyle or not, we’ll leave you with one final reminder: healthy skin is beautiful skin. So do your best to take care of it, protect it and love it and in turn, you will do the same for you.
Amy is a content strategist who turned a part-time skincare obsession into a full-time passion. Her experience as a creative storyteller includes a range of lifestyle and technology topics in Washington DC and Barcelona. What’s in her travel bag? Eye contour cream and sunscreen, always.
