Does Vaping Cause Acne & Your Skin To Age Faster?

We’re all aware of the hazards of smoking—not only the harm it can cause within our bodies but also the ravage it can wreak externally on our skin [1]. From hyperpigmentation to upper mouth wrinkles, there’s no dispute that smoking can prompt premature aging and take a serious toll on our skin’s firmness and radiance [2].

But given that vaping is frequently touted as a wiser alternative to smoking cigarettes, one must ask: Does vaping cause similar effects on your skin condition? More specifically, does vaping cause acne and accelerate the aging process?

Keep reading as we take a deep dive into the effects of vaping on your complexion, and the steps you can take to mitigate its impact—or, perhaps, drop the habit entirely. 

So, What is Vaping?

“Vaping” refers to the use of electronic cigarettes—battery-powered devices, filled with aerosol, that offer the illusion of smoking when exhaled and inhaled. This product generally features nicotine (although nicotine-free vape cartridges are available), as well as chemicals like cadmium [3]. It’s also available in a variety of flavors, ranging from watermelon to strawberry.

However, the presence of these chemicals—and incredibly-addictive nicotine—may cause both subtle and severe medical problems. In fact, as recent headlines and rulings attest, vaping isn’t as innocuous as we once may have thought [4]. 

The U.S. Surgeon General asserts that e-cigarette use may lead to a host of dire health issues due to the inclusion of [5]:

• Heavy metals, like tin, lead, and nickel
• Minute particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
• Volatile organic compounds
• Diacetyl, a synthetic flavoring that has been linked to lung disease

The liquid mixture in vape cartridges may also include [6][7]:

• THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana)
• Propylene glycol
• Vegetable glycerin 
• Carcinogens

All of this comprises just the start of the many harmful chemicals found in e-cigarettes, underscoring why using a vaping device has come under fire in the last handful of years.

Why Do People Vape?

It may be this effect that has fueled what’s been dubbed the vaping epidemic, a national crisis fueled in part by the stress, isolation, economic uncertainty, and ennui the pandemic provoked. Today, it’s estimated that two out of ten young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 vape [8].

Research on the effects of vaping on the brain, body, and, yes, skin, is still in its infancy, but what we understand thus far is that vaping may have a grave impact that can haunt you for years.

Can Vaping Cause Acne?

In short, yes it can. There are a few studies that declare an undeniable connection between vaping and acne. What we do know is that the natural and synthetic ingredients in vape smoke can linger and clog your pores. Here’s a list of ingredients that can impact your skin health:

• Propylene glycol – Propylene glycol (as well as other compounds) is featured in e-cigarettes to add flavoring and nicotine; once heated in the device for inhalation, it also prevents combustion. Propylene glycol acts as a humectant that “attracts” liquid, which may dehydrate your mouth and your skin [9]. While it may seem like less oily skin should clear your complexion of acne, dehydration actually shifts your sebaceous glands (or oil glands) into overdrive. This means more oil is produced, which may stimulate an acne breakout. Some people also experience a sensitivity to propylene glycol which can appear as a skin irritation or allergy and may increase the risk of breakouts. 
• Vegetable glycerin – Vegetable glycerin may sound innocent enough; it’s also a prevalent ingredient in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals [10]. But vegetable glycerin, as well as propylene glycol, have been shown to provoke skin irritation that could result in an acne breakout or, worse, a bacterial infection [11].
• Aldehydes – Part of the allure of vaping, particularly for adolescents and young adults, is the sheer range of flavors available. But these flavorings, which are technically known as aldehydes, may trigger skin irritation and acne [12].
• Nicotine – Unless you opt for a nicotine-free vape cartridge, you’ll be ingesting nicotine—a chemical compound found in the tobacco plant that can contribute to the onset of cancer. Nicotine also has an adverse effect on circulation and may promote oil production, which can clog your pores and spur an acne breakout [13]. Further, nicotine may spawn an inflammatory response that could result in irritation, an infection, and/or acne [14].

Concerned? That’s understandable. Rest assured that if you’ve been vaping, a customized facial cleanser with the right acne-fighting ingredients, can work toward fighting your breakouts and flush unwanted bacteria out from your pores. But more importantly, there are dozens of ways to quit vaping and various online resources available to help you.

Does Vaping Hasten The Skin Aging Process?

We also believe that vaping can speed up the skin aging process.

Here are just a smattering of ways that vaping can expedite skin aging:

• Wrinkles – Whether you use an e-cigarette or a vaping pen, the mere act of vaping (or pursing your lips to inhale and exhale) is one of several repeated facial movements that can cause static, or entrenched and difficult-to-remove, wrinkles [15]. And getting rid of the upper lip wrinkles can be challenging without professional help.
• Sallow skin – E-cigarettes that contain nicotine have the same effects as traditional cigarettes, including sallow skin. Nicotine is widely known to hinder blood circulation, which keeps your skin from receiving the oxygen and essential nutrients it needs. In turn, your skin may appear pallid and washed out—in other words, robbed of its natural glow [16]. 
• Reduced elasticity – Nicotine destroys the proteins that keep our skin barrier supple—namely, collagen and elastin [17]. Consequently, you may find your skin starting to lose that youthful, gorgeous bounce we all covet.
• Hyperpigmentation – There’s no denying the power and allure of an even, silky skin tone. The nicotine in many vaping cartridges can, again, interrupt circulation within your skin cells. This may lead to discoloration like dark spots and splotches—and hyperpigmentation is one of the telltale signs of premature aging.
• Dryness – Nicotine saps moisture from your skin, and, as a result, the natural plumpness of your skin may also be hit by vaping. This, too, increases your chances of fine lines and wrinkles [18]. Not to mention, dry skin can exacerbate the appearance of pre-existing wrinkles.

What Other Effects Does Vaping Have On Skin Health?

A 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology demonstrated that vaping may also cause a range of other dermatological issues, including [19]:

• Contact dermatitis
• Burns
• Skin injuries

Further, vaping may delay wound healing and, in e-cigarettes that feature nickel, cause skin rashes (and swollen lips) in individuals who have a nickel allergy—a condition that affects roughly 10% of the U.S. population [20]. 

Lastly, because nicotine suppresses your body’s immune system, vaping may substantially increase your risk for skin infections [21].

How Can You Repair Skin That’s Been Damaged By Vaping?

First things first: If you vape or smoke “classic” cigarettes, the best thing you can do for your skin health—let alone your brain and body—is to quit smoking. Like, immediately. 

Some of the most effective methods for ditching the habit include seeking medical assistance with nicotine withdrawal and avoiding people and places that normalize (if not encourage) vaping [22]. 

Once you’ve addressed your smoking habit, the next step is to restore your skin’s luster and elasticity. Let’s look at a couple of strategies you can implement to counteract the effects of vaping:

• Use products that coax blood flow – Fortunately, there are a number of natural ingredients that may encourage circulation and help your skin receive the vital nutrients it needs, such as:
• Peppermint [23]
• Ginseng [24]
• Rosemary [25]
• Call upon the power of peptides – Peptides can go a long way towards rebuilding the key proteins that give your skin its springiness and smoothness [26]. Used regularly, they may boost collagen production and help smooth out any fine lines or wrinkles that have appeared. Our custom-formulated night cream nourishes the skin with ingredients to plump and hydrate as your skin rests throughout the evening.

And this certainly isn’t an exhaustive list of the steps you can take to replenish your healthy skin if you’re worried about the answer to the question, can vaping cause acne and premature aging? 

Vitamin C, niacinamide, and retinol can also do wonders for your skin, as well as lifestyle modifications like bumping up your exercise routine and eating foods that have a wealth of nutrients [27].

Revive Your Radiance with PROVEN Skincare

It’s only now that we’re starting to understand the dangerous effects vaping can have on our health, including the integrity of our skin. The U.S. Surgeon General and the American Heart Association are just two experts from a pool of many who implore the hazards of vaping and recommend staying away from it entirely. The question we should be asking then, is not does vaping cause acne?, but rather how can I let go of this habit and renew my skin’s brilliance? This similar line of thought should be applied to drinking alcohol that can cause acne as well.

PROVEN Skincare may be able to help restore its radiance. All we ask of you is this: Three or so minutes of your time to complete a comprehensive skincare quiz that identifies your biggest skincare concerns and your biggest goals, while also addressing your geographical location, lifestyle, and more. 

In turn, we’ll pair you with products that contain the scientifically-backed ingredients you may need to enhance your skin’s health and luminosity, like a customized daily moisturizer with SPF or eye cream developed specifically to rejuvenate your complexion.

Take our quiz today to discover the wholly good-for-you magic that awaits at Proven Skincare.