What is Smokers Acne and How Do You Deal With It?

Cigarette smoking can lead to atypical post-adolescent acne, otherwise known as “smoker’s acne.” In this blog we talk about the direct correlation between acne and smoking and things to keep in mind to avoid a breakout. 

Did you know that smoking is not only bad for your lungs but also quite detrimental for your skin’s health? Various studies have shown that smoker’s acne is a real thing and people who smoke are at a higher risk of developing acne post-puberty, along with other harmful effects on skin. In fact, some experiments have shown a direct correlation between regular smoking and clinically non-inflammatory (atypical) post-adolescent acne (APAA), a.k.a a mild to moderate type of acne around the chin, lower jaw and neck. As studies have found that this type of acne is especially frequent in smokers, it is also dubbed as “smoker’s acne.” 

Acne is one of the many symptoms that show up due to smoking, as an indicator of your skin’s overall poor health. Here’s how it affects your skin’s health on a cellular level. 

• It alters the keratinocyte cells which play an important part in repairing your skin. 

• Nicotine narrows the blood vessels, reducing your overall oxygen flow and nutrients to skin cells, thus making it harder to circulate blood in your body. 

• The chemicals in tobacco lead to the destruction of collagen and elastin synthesis of your skin - the fibres that are necessary to strengthen and maintain your skin’s elasticity. 
• Even if you’re passive smoking, your cells are still breaking down much faster than those who stay far away from tobacco smoke.

As nicotine has a direct effect on immune cells, all of the above mentioned points result in delayed wound healing and make your skin age a lot faster. Plus, your chances of developing smoking-related pimples increase even more if you’ve dealt with teenage acne in your younger years.

All said and done, there are a few things you can do regularly to minimise the skin damage and acne that smoking causes. You can try including antioxidant serums in your skin-care routine to protect your skin against the smoke that blows back onto your face. Other general steps in a good routine include the usage of a sunscreen with SPF 30 at the very least, a hydrating non-comedogenic moisturiser and a face wash that’ll help clean your skin without stripping it of its natural oil.

As smoking can clog pores, and accumulate dirt on your face, washing it twice a day becomes especially important. AcneStar is one such anti-acne face wash that leaves your skin feeling hydrated and fresh.

If you’ve ruled out all other possible reasons for your acne besides smoking, you might already know the culprit by now. Talk to your dermatologist and they may suggest the right medication for your skin type.

Finally, if you have been looking for a sign to quit the cigarette, then this is it. In the meantime, the above mentioned steps can still help you keep the smoker’s acne at bay.