By, Amir Hamzah Bin Kas Alwi
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural due to changes in the sun’s activity or volcano eruptions. But human works or activities have been the main factor in climate change, mostly due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. The frequency of extreme weather events is transforming ecosystems around the world and threatening entire species of plants and animals.
As temperature rises and pollution level spikes, not only our planet is affected by the unpleasant impact from these but also our skin, since increasing UV radiation gives harmful effects on our skin such as skin ages, skin sensitivity, and skin cancer. Understanding the connection between our skin and the environment is very significant. By recognizing these effects and making some adjustments to our actions, we can keep the skin healthy and support broader climate action.
Increased UV Radiation and Skin Damage
“The stratospheric ozone layer protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet light, which damages DNA in plants and animals (including humans) and leads to sunburns and skin cancer. Prior to 1979, scientists had not observed atmospheric ozone concentrations below 220 Dobson Units. But in early 1980s, through a combination of ground-based and satellite measurements, scientists began to realize that Earth’s natural sunscreen was thinning dramatically over the South Pole each spring. This thinning of the ozone layer over Antarctica came to be known as the ozone hole,” said National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
It shows that our ozone layer is currently depleting and not protecting life on earth from ultraviolet rays. Also, the word hole is not literal. They use the word hole as a metaphor for the area in which ozone concentrations drop below the historical threshold of 220 Dobson units.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also stated that human-made chemicals released into the atmosphere are the cause of ozone depletion and will continue until the use of chlorine and bromine compounds drastically reduces. WHO reported, “International agreements, in particular the Montreal Protocol, are gradually succeeding in phasing out the production of ozone-depleting substances. However, the long lifespan of the chemicals already released will cause ozone depletion problems to persist for many years to come. A full recovery of the ozone level is not expected until 2050.”
Increased UV exposure can damage the skin’s DNA, accelerate the aging process, and even cause the progression of diseases such as skin cancer. People living in regions closer to the equator or with high pollution levels are more vulnerable. The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They form on the head, face, neck, hands, and arms because these are the most exposed to UV radiation. Also, melanoma, also one of the skin cancers, is often called “the most serious skin cancer” because of its tendency to spread.
Air Pollution and Skin Sensitivity
In March 2019, Pasir Gudang Malaysia, toxic chemical waste was dumped into the Kim Kim River near the industrial area, and the waste produced toxic gases that affected over 4000 people, especially children. They experienced breathing difficulties, nausea, and vomiting.
The 2019 Southeast Asia Haze was an air pollution crisis that affected several countries in Southeast Asia, especially Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. It was due to illegal logging and burning practices, mainly in the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan, and then spread quickly during the dry season. Nearly 200 people have been arrested for suspected involvement in forest burning.
Air pollution does not only affect our lungs but also the skin. Tiny particles from polluted air—particulate matter—more precisely—adhere to our skin and weaken its natural barrier. Nanoparticles, the tiniest forms of those particles, can even penetrate the skin, especially if the skin is irritated.
Many pollutants are known to carry with themselves certain chemicals, called PAHs, which are common in city air and cigarette smoke. When these PAHs settle on our skin, it is usually the sun that can activate them, thus making them more irritating and giving more sensitivity. If this continues for quite a long time, it can lead to dryness, irritation, and, at times, some serious skin problems.
People living in urban areas with high pollution levels should be aware of this hidden effect. Regular cleansing and protecting the skin from sun exposure can help reduce the impact of air pollutants on skin health.
Climate-Driven Skin Conditions
Have you ever noticed your skin feeling drier than before in the winter, or perhaps oilier in the summer? Climate change and seasonal shifts may be affecting your skin more than you think. Because climate change is a global health crisis, it is important for dermatology to recognize the effects on our skin. Beyond pollution and UV, the climate where a person lives, such as dry, humid, or seasonal, can also affect our skin conditions.
Dry air or cooler air makes our skin drier than usual due to less moisture in the air that happened in the winter. These conditions can be problematic for dry and sensitive skin. You may notice your skin felt tight and worse, your skin felt itchy and red when it was exposed to the cold and dry air. Your skin loses hydration due to many factors, such as age, genetics, and decreased production of natural skin oils that are intended to keep you hydrated. You may experience a variety of skin issues, including dryness, itchiness, irritation, and potentially even cracked skin. Without treatment, our skin barrier will worsen over time, and it will be hard to recover it. This is why taking care of your skin when you notice your skin feels drier than usual is vital.
Summer maybe a little bit different from winter. Hot weather also causes our skin irritation and dehydration because hot weather can increase water loss from your body, especially when your skin is sensitive. Summer heat tends to mean more sweat, more oil, and speedier cell production too. When dead skin cells mix with oil and sweat that our body produces, acne will breakout. This is why we need to outsmart summer skin sensitivity and switch to a summer skincare routine at the start of the season. Too much exposure to the sun also worsens your skin by damaging the skin’s moisture barrier.
How to Protect Your Skin in a Changing Climate
When it comes to maintaining your skin health, you need to shield your skin against UV radiation by applying sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days. I recommend broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and remember to reapply them every three hours throughout the day, especially when you are outdoors. I also encourage you to wear hats, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing to minimize direct sun exposure.
Furthermore, I really recommend you use antioxidant-rich skincare products like those with vitamin C, E, or niacinamide to fight pollution’s harmful effect and protect your skin from pollution-related skin damage. Double-cleansing at the end of the day is also suggested to prevent clogged pores. Additionally, maintain indoor air quality with purifiers or plants that filter toxins.
Then, adapt skincare to weather extremes. When comes the hot weather, use lightweight, oil-free moisturizers to avoid clogged pores in humid conditions and hydrating mists to keep skin fresh. When it comes to the cold weather, I encourage you to use thicker, more moisturizing creams to protect skin from dryness and irritation. Also for windy days, I recommend a protective balm or cream that creates a barrier against wind-induced dryness.
It is also important to stay hydrated and nourished because it is essential for skin health, especially in extreme heat. Food rich in omega-3s, such as fish and nuts, and antioxidants like berries and leafy greens help the skin defend itself against environmental damage.
As climate change reshapes our environment, it would seem that skin is adapting directly to shifting weather patterns, increased UV exposure, and rising levels of pollution. The view on these changes further allows one to make more focused decisions about skincare and daily routines to prepare them for the new environmental challenges. Putting on sunscreen, using products that fight off pollution, and changing skincare with the seasons are therefore symptoms of a deep-seated care for one’s skin and a further contribution to climate awareness.
Our personal actions can create ripple effects. Buying green skincare brands, creating minimal waste, and being conscious of our carbon footprint—all these are minor but significant ways of caring for our health and the health of the planet. In fact, together we will be able to build a future that is healthier and greener. A future in which our skin will be as healthy as the environment we live in.***
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