According to the American Chemical Society, cigarette smoke contains toxic free radicals. Some products can help ease their impact, but certain skincare ingredients might actually make your skin worse. Take retinol, a hugely popular ingredient right now—it’s one that smokers should avoid. While retinol is often called the holy grail of anti-aging skincare, this vitamin A derivative can actually make things worse if you smoke.
Retinol Makes Skin More Sensitive to Smoke and Environmental Stressors
Retinol increases your skin’s sensitivity, making it more vulnerable to environmental factors like UV rays, pollution, and tobacco smoke. That’s why dermatologist Dr. Craig Kraffert advises avoiding both smoking and secondhand smoke if you’re using retinol products.
Alongside retinol, beta-carotene (another form of vitamin A) also negatively affects smokers. Beta-carotene is a well-known anti-aging ingredient that boosts collagen to smooth fine lines. But smokers should steer clear. A 2019 study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that heavy smokers using beta-carotene have a higher risk of lung cancer, so it’s best to avoid it. If you smoke, chat with your dermatologist before using any vitamin A products.
If You Smoke, Try This Skincare Routine Instead
You can ease smoking’s impact on circulation by hanging your head down for three minutes daily—try lying on the edge of your bed and doing a headstand or downward dog pose. After three minutes, you’ll notice a gentle flush, which over time can help counteract smoking’s circulation problems.
A daily 10-minute hand massage, gentle facial exfoliation, or gua sha massage also boosts circulation and keeps your skin glowing.
Using skincare products with the right ingredients can make a big difference. Look for peptides like caprooyl tetrapeptide, palmitoyl tripeptide-38, and matrixyl 300. Antioxidants are also key—they help replace nutrients lost to smoking and keep your skin hydrated.
Your skin’s health depends on many factors, but one thing’s clear: smoking is harmful. Quitting gives your skin a chance to heal and repair some of the damage time has caused.
