Smoking is often cited for a variety of sins in the skincare world. It crops up a lot in answers to questions like “What can I do to prolong my treatment’s effects”, and “How can I look after my skin better” and “What can I do to slow down skin ageing”… It has long been known that smoking is detrimental to your skin (and probably every part of the body in some way). You might have made the positive step to stop smoking, but, what about the vape that many of you have substituted it for? This article explores how vaping could not be the saint it’s made out to be, and how it may be affecting your complexion.
Understanding Vaping
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Vaping involves inhaling vapour produced by heating e-liquids in a battery-powered device. These liquids typically contain nicotine, propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin, and various flavourings. Often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, (quoted figures are usually in the order of 10 times safer) vaping still introduces foreign substances into the body, and your skin may not be entirely immune to the effects. Please note, we are talking about vaping using a machine and e-liquid, which is bought from a proper shop and follows the UK directives. Back-street sold or imported, unregulated vape machines may have a multitude of worse effects.
The Effects of Vaping on the Skin
- Dehydration: Vaping may reduce your skin’s moisture levels, potentially giving way to dryness and dullness.
- Barrier disruption: Some ingredients may compromise the skin barrier, making it more sensitive or reactive.
- Collagen breakdown: Nicotine reduces blood flow and oxygen to the skin, accelerating signs of ageing like fine lines.
- Smoker’s lines from vaping: That repeated pursing of the lips while inhaling can contribute to vertical lines around the mouth — just like traditional smoking.
Evidence suggests vaping has negative dermatological consequences, particularly exacerbating Atopic Dermatitis (AD). Chemicals in e-cigarette aerosols can cause skin inflammation, impair the skin barrier, and lead to oral mucosal problems. This research in Dermatology Times highlights nicotine’s role in inflammation and links vaping to systemic immune dysregulation. The text indicated that secondhand exposure to parental vaping possibly increases the risk of AD in children. The thing about this type of research is that nobody is vaping nicotine alone. There is always at least one or two other ingredients along with it. This makes it difficult to pinpoint the exact effect which ingredient is having. The above-linked article would indicate that it is one or more of the ingredients causing skin issues.
Vape ingredients
Your standard vape liquid will contain (in approx order of amount, depending on the brand and strength):
- Vegetable Glycerin
- Propylene Glycol
- Flavourings
- Nicotine
The Nicotine
Nicotine is arguably the most detrimental ingredient with well-documented negative effects. As highlighted previously, nicotine is a potent vasoconstrictor. This means it narrows blood vessels, significantly reducing blood flow, oxygen, and nutrient delivery to the skin cells. This deprivation hinders the skin’s natural repair processes, slows down healing, and critically impairs collagen and elastin production. Accelerated skin ageing, manifesting as fine lines, wrinkles (including contributing to those “smoker’s lines” around the mouth) and a dull, sallow complexion. Nicotine has pro-inflammatory properties, which can exacerbate inflammatory skin conditions like acne or rosacea, and potentially contribute to the systemic immune dysregulation linked to vaping in some studies.
Flavourings
Flavourings are considered ‘safe’. The acronym used is GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe by Food Authorities). However, their safety when heated and inhaled, particularly repeatedly and at high concentrations, is far less understood. It is possible that some of the numerous flavouring chemicals used could contribute to skin inflammation, irritation, or allergic reactions, especially for individuals with sensitive skin. The sheer variety and combination of these compounds make it incredibly difficult to pinpoint specific culprits, echoing the research challenge mentioned earlier about isolating ingredient effects.
Vegetable Glycerin
Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is typically the most abundant ingredient in many e-liquids. In skincare, glycerin is a well-known humectant, meaning it draws moisture to the skin. This is the reason you may see it in moisturisers. Its effect when inhaled as part of a vapour is less understood in terms of its direct impact on the skin. VG itself isn’t usually flagged as a primary skin irritant through inhalation, the overall act of vaping, regardless of specific ingredients, can contribute to systemic or localised dehydration. The vapour produced, largely thanks to VG, might have a drying effect on the exposed skin over time, potentially linking back to the general dehydration effects mentioned earlier.
Propylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol (PG), like VG, PG is also used in cosmetics and food products. However, PG is more frequently associated with skin sensitivity and allergic reactions than VG when applied topically. While research on the specific effects of inhaled PG on facial skin is limited, it’s plausible that it could contribute to the barrier disruption and sensitivity noted as potential side effects of vaping. Individuals already sensitive to PG in skincare products might find their skin becomes more reactive or irritated, potentially exacerbated by the vapour settling on the face or just general absorption.
Tips for Maintaining Healthy Skin if You Do Vape
If you’re not ready to give up vaping, there are still steps you can take to protect your skin.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water and use hydrating skincare products to combat dryness.
- Skincare routine: Focus on barrier-supportive ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.
- Antioxidants: Incorporate ingredients like vitamin C to protect against free radical damage.
- Professional support: Speak to us about skin treatments that can help reverse early ageing or texture changes.
Still Not a Skin-Safe Habit
Switching to vaping may feel like a healthier choice — and for your lungs, it might be,* but your skin could still be suffering. Our advice would be not to vape and invest the money you save into skincare your complexion will actually benefit from.
*Vaping seems to be a safer alternative to smoking when you consider the chemicals produced by the combustion of tobacco. Long term effects of vaping are still unknown. We recommend avoiding both.
Contact us at The Doctors Laser Clinic if you have any skin issues you want help with
