Wildfire smoke is more than just a respiratory hazard—it can damage your skin, too.
As wildfires become more frequent and intense across the Western U.S. and smoke from the north affects the East Coast, scientists are paying closer attention to how wildfire smoke affects not just the lungs and eyes, but also the skin. A 2018 study near California’s Camp Fire showed a marked increase in dermatology visits, including for eczema, dermatitis, and itching.
How Wildfire Smoke Harms the Skin
Wildfire smoke contains a dangerous cocktail of pollutants—ozone, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particularly particulate matter (PM2.5). These fine particles are small enough to penetrate the skin barrier and even enter the bloodstream.
This causes oxidative stress, which overwhelms your skin’s natural defenses and leads to:
- Inflammation and irritation
- Accelerated skin aging
- Hyperpigmentation and wrinkles
- Increased collagen breakdown
- Damage to the skin microbiome
- A weakened skin barrier, making skin more vulnerable to pollution
Understanding Air Quality Terms
- AQI (Air Quality Index): Ranges from 0–500. Over 100 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
- PM2.5 (Particulate Matter): These ultra-fine particles are a major pollutant in wildfire smoke and can cause serious skin and respiratory issues.
At the time of writing, Longmont, CO shows an AQI of 120—classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups due to PM2.5 pollution drifting in from out-of-state wildfires.
Particulate matter can be inhaled, causing lung damage. It is also able to penetrate the skin, both across the epithelium and through follicles.
What do Wildfire pollutants do?
Overall, pollutants found in wildfire smoke cause oxidative free radicals in the skin. While the skin can deal with some free radicals, the amount here is more than the skin can defend itself from. These oxidants attack the cellular DNA, the cell surface lipids, and proteins in the skin causing damage. This result is accelerated skin aging and inflammation. Particulate matter can cause hyperpigmentation in the skin, increased wrinkles and an increased risk for skin cancer.
Oxidative stress caused by PM can increase the MMP (matrix metalloproteins) proteins in the skin that are responsible for degrading collagen fibers. Collagen fibers are the support system for skin so decreasing collagen fibers leads to increased skin wrinkling. Pollution can also affect the microbiota which is the normal, beneficial bacteria that reside on the skin.
The Skin Barrier Function
One of the most important roles of the skin is to serve as a barrier. Normally, it functions to keep pollutants out of the body to protect it. Oxidative damage to the skin however, weakens that barrier property which means more of these pollutants are able to enter the skin and possibly find their way to the bloodstream where more damage can be caused.
Tips to Decrease Skin Damage from Wildfire Smoke
Limit time spent outdoors when the AQI is high. We really hate to give that advice.
Wear clothing that covers skin. Long sleeves go a long way in protecting us. Face masks are good for more than just preventing the spread of COVID-19 virus, they can also help reduce the amount of particles inhaled.
Cleanse the Skin. Now more than ever it is important to wash your face, maybe more than just at night but also when you have been outside. This will remove some of the pollutants from the surface of the skin before they can cause damage. A two step cleanse with an oil cleanser followed by a milky cleanser can help.
Use emollients to protect the skin. Increased cleansing can dry the skin out requiring more frequent application of creams / lotions.
Use Antioxidants (topically and internally). Pollution can decrease the amount of vitamin C and vitamin E in the skin. Wildfire pollution also increases oxidative damage to the skin. Using an antioxidant rich cream with vitamin C and vitamin E can help protect the skin barrier function to protect the entire body from pollution that may enter the skin. Nutrition that includes foods high in antioxidants is also beneficial.
We hope that we don’t have to think about skin damage caused by wildfires, but with increasing incidence of fire, it is something we need to learn how to protect ourselves from even being many miles away from the fire itself. We also acknowledge and are saddened by those who have lost so much from wildfires.
How to Protect Your Skin During Wildfire Season
- Limit Outdoor Exposure: Especially when the AQI is high.
- Wear Protective Clothing and Masks: Long sleeves and face coverings can help.
- Double Cleanse: Use an oil-based cleanser followed by a gentle, creamy cleanser to remove pollutants.
- Moisturize Frequently: Smoke dries out the skin. Use nourishing lotions and creams.
- Use Antioxidants: Apply topical products rich in vitamin C and vitamin E, and eat a diet high in antioxidant-rich foods.
Products We Recommend
Cleansing; Yarrow Oil Cleanser and Meadow Mist Face Cleanser.
Emollient and Antioxidant Rich Face Cream: Springtide Gold Face Cream.
Emollient and Antioxidant Rich Body Lotion: Mountain Mist.
Additional Reading on Wildfire Pollution
Fadadu, R.P., Grimes, B, Jewell, N.P, et. Al. Association of Wildfire Air Pollution and Health Care Use for Atopic Dermatitis. JAMA Dermatology, April 21, 2021. JAMA Dermatol. 2021;157(6):658-666. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.0179
University of California – San Francisco. “Wildfire smoke linked to skin disease.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 April 2021. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210421124635.htm
Puri P, Nandar SK, Kathuria S, Ramesh V. Effects of air pollution on the skin: A review. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2017;83:415-423. https://ijdvl.com/effects-of-air-pollution-on-the-skin-a-review/
Fine Particles, Questions and Answers, EPA.
Ozone levels elevated in presence of wildfire smoke , January 25, 2016