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Last updated
July 26, 2025

Skin conditions

Air pollution and skin conditions research reveals how environmental pollutants accelerate skin ageing and exacerbate dermatological diseases through multiple pathways. Studies show that air pollution exposure increases the risk of premature ageing, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and age spots, whilst worsening conditions like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema through reactive oxygen species and inflammatory pathways that damage collagen and elastin. Research has found that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from sources like food preparation is linked to a 74% higher risk of developing wrinkles, with various pollutants becoming trapped in pores and causing skin thinning, irritation, and breakouts. Discover the evidence documenting how air quality affects skin health and what protective measures can maintain healthy skin in polluted environments.
  • Air pollution has been linked to increased risk of skin problems, including premature ageing, hyperpigmentation (a skin condition that causes patches of skin to darken) and exacerbation of dermatological conditions like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. (Abolhasani et al., 2021)
  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is from food preparation and exposure is linked to 74% higher risk of find wrinkles on back of hands (Rauf & Pribadi, 2024)
  • Exposure can speed skin ageing, wrinkles, age spots, fine lines, psoriasis, eczema, breakouts - reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory pathways impact collagen and elastin (Rauf & Pribadi, 2024)
  • Pollutants (ozone, PM, gases, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, VOCs, oxides) stuck in pores, thinning of skin layer, itching, breakouts, tanning, dermatitis, allergic skin conditions (Rauf & Pribadi, 2024)
  • Indoor air pollution (cooking) leads to redness, irritation, increased likelihood of skin ageing (Rauf & Pribadi, 2024)

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