The Link Between Air and Skin: Can Clean Air Prevent Breakouts?
A number of factors play a role in our skin health. Some variables, you’re probably more familiar with. For instance, you’ve likely heard that clear skin starts on the inside—meaning what you eat and drink. But what about air quality? Can polluted air be behind those pesky breakouts you’ve been experiencing?
Let’s find out.
Can Bad Air Quality Affect My Skin?
Yes! Numerous pieces of research have found that contaminated air can indeed have an impact on the health of your skin.
For instance, research published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology found that pollutants like oxides, particulate matter, ozone, smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons negatively affect our very important outer barrier. This often happens when pollutants trigger oxidative stress. The skin, to a large degree, protects you from pro-oxidative chemicals. However, prolonged exposure to high levels of pollutants can lead to premature aging, acne, psoriasis, pigmentation, and skin cancer. It can also worsen atopic dermatitis and eczema, which are sometimes associated with allergies.
Other information published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety says that exposure to air pollution plays a role in the development of skin tumors, immune-related skin diseases, inflammatory skin diseases, and skin accessory diseases.
An Indirect Link Between Contaminated Air and Your Complexion
Worth discussing is our planet’s ozone layer.
The ozone layer sits in the stratosphere, and it absorbs some of the radiation that comes from the sun, stopping it from reaching the earth’s surface. Of note, it absorbs UVB light, which has been connected to skin cancer and cataracts. It can also hurt crops and marine life.
Well, air pollution has caused a hole in the ozone layer. This means that more of that dangerous UVB is reaching us down here on earth, and your skin is at an increased risk of dangerous health consequences.
Fortunately, since certain chemicals (like chlorofluorocarbons) were banned, the hole has shrunk. However, full recovery is uncertain, and we are responsible for protecting this very important shield, so that it can continue to protect us.
High Concentrations of Indoor Air Pollution
You might be thinking, “Well, I’m not worried. I don’t spend that much time outside anyway.”
That may be the case, but remember that air pollution is actually much worse indoors. In fact, indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air! Consider that the average person spends about 90% of their time indoors, and these conditions could be wreaking havoc on your skin.
Think about the conditions of your own home and geographic area, too. For example, do you smoke or live with a smoker, or do you live in an area prone to wildfires? Your skin might be suffering more than individuals who don’t live in a smoky environment.
How Can I Protect My Skin From Bad Air Quality?
You can reduce air pollution in your home to keep your skin—and the rest of your body—happy and healthy by following the below tips:
1. Avoid Introducing Contaminants Into Your Home in the First Place
The best thing you can do is cut off air pollutants at the source. For instance, one source of VOCs is new furniture, carpeting, and rugs. Let these air out in your garage, a shed, or somewhere else outdoors for a week before bringing them inside.
If you smoke, or someone you live with smokes, you know what we’ll say: Quit! Otherwise, aim to smoke only outside, and if possible, away from the doors and windows.
2. Monitor the Outdoor Air Quality and Let it Flow
As we said, there’s a good chance (unless, for example, you live in a wildfire-prone area) that the air outside your home is cleaner than the air in your home. If this is the case, crack the doors and windows open to improve ventilation and let some of the stale, contaminated air out.
If you’re not sure what your outdoor air quality is like, use AirNow to get real-time information.
3. For Everything Else, Let an Air Purifier Do the Heavy Lifting
While it’s true that many types of air purifiers aren’t up to snuff, it’s also true that air purification technology isn’t merely a fad. The right type of air filtration can work wonders on indoor air quality.
What you want to look for is a multi-layer filtration system that includes a medical-grade HEPA 13 filter. For instance, the Sans air purifier uses a pre-filter, a one-pound activated carbon filter (three times what other purifiers use), HEPA 13 filter, and UV-C light. Our devices are CARB-certified to be completely ozone-free—some purifiers, ironically, produce ozone.
What all of this means is that our purifier eliminates large particles, like dust and hair, down to the pollutants you will never be able to see—including pathogens like viruses and bacteria.
Sans is built with a real-time air quality monitor and a sensor specifically to monitor VOCs, in addition to PM2.5 and PM10. It runs on auto-pilot and will tell you when it’s time to change the filters—after about 2,200 (or three months) of protection. For smaller spaces, like an apartment or dorm room, try the Sans Mini. Both of our devices are lightweight and sleek, so you can easily move them around your home depending on where the greatest source of pollution is.
Remember that air pollution isn’t the only cause of skin issues. It’s important to stay hydrated with purified water and eat a healthy diet. Combine this with fresh indoor air, and your skin (and whole body) will thank you for it.