The impact of tobacco on the skin

If you've never fished, throw me the first pack of cigarettes!

At La Maison de l'Argousier, we're not here to demonize cigarettes! Let's face it: everyone does what they can. Here, kindness is the order of the day!

But you're not reading this article just to make small talk, are you? So let's face it. It's true that smoking is recognized for its harmful effects on health. The epidermis is not spared.

Let's take a deep dive into nicotine, how it works and, above all ... solutions to compensate!

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Tobacco and the skin

Deterioration of skin quality

Tobacco does indeed accelerate the skin's aging process. Studies are unanimous. Smokers often have deeper, earlier wrinkles, particularly around the mouth and eyes. These are often referred to as "smoker's wrinkles".

The question, then, is not whether there is an impact, but rather to understand the underlying mechanisms so that we can compensate for them. Nicotine and other components in cigarettes reduce the supply of oxygen and nutrients essential to the skin. How do they do this?

• The first effect of nicotine is to constrict blood vessels, thereby reducing blood flow to the skin's surface.
• Carbon monoxide will also reduce the blood's ability to carry oxygen to tissues, including those of the skin.
• Finally, collagen and elastin production is disrupted. This is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness.

And what about electronic cigarettes? Well, unfortunately, although studies on the subject are still anecdotal, e-cigarettes don't seem to be much less aggressive (to find out more, see the sources section).

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Duller skin

Smoking also alters skin color. The primary cause is linked to less oxygenated cells. However, the smoke itself is also a source of discoloration.

Skin less well armed

Smoking is associated with an increased risk of several skin diseases. It can also impair the healing process. Finally, smoking can make the skin more vulnerable to the sun. Sun protection with a high SPF is therefore essential!

How can I offset the effects of smoking on my skin?

That's the question, because once we've listed all these unpleasant phenomena, we need to find solutions!

Quit smoking (easy to say...)

Of course, once you've said that, you haven't said much at all. Few smokers don't feel the desire to quit...

But don't be fooled: it's the most effective way to protect your skin. And you want the good news? Quitting smoking can improve the appearance of your skin: the deterioration in skin quality is partly reversible. It's never too late!

Here are a few concrete examples:

• After a few weeks, the skin regains its radiance and color. Hair quality improves, nails and fingers lose their brownish tint (1) (2)
• After just a few months, smoking cessation results in skin rejuvenation of several years, compared with a smoker who looks on average 9 years older than his or her age (3).

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Pamper your skin

Use products containing antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E. They help combat the oxidative stress caused by smoking.

Beta-carotenes, in synergy with vitamins E and C, can also stimulate natural collagen synthesis. Sea buckthorn oil, which contains ten times more beta-carotenes than a carrot, is an excellent choice for countering the effects of smoking on the skin. We can't recommend Secret Sublimant enough, a nugget in this field!

Moisturizing is also essential to maintain skin elasticity and prevent dryness. Depending on your specific needs, you can use :

• Hydra Protect moisturizing cream
• Active Smoothing First Wrinkle Cream
• or Nutri Actif mature skin cream

By becoming aware of the effects of smoking on the skin, you've already gone a long way. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, it's possible to regain healthier skin!

Sources :

(1) Daver J., Biermé R. (2001). Short- and long-term benefits of smoking cessation.

(2) INPES brochure. The risks of smoking and the benefits of quitting

(3) Serri R et al (2010). Quitting smoking rejuvenates the skin.

Morita, A. (2007). Tobacco smoke causes premature skin aging. Journal of dermatological science, 48(3), 169-175.

Rau, A. S., Reinikovaite, V., Schmidt, E. P., Tarasevičienė-Stewart, L., & Deleyiannis, F. W. (2017). Electronic Cigarettes Are as Toxic to Skin Flap Survival as Tobacco Cigarettes. Annals Of Plastic Surgery, 79(1), 86-91. https://doi.org/10.1097/sap.0000000000000998