Our Skin Under Pressure: A Dermatologist Explains Climate Change's Impact on Skin Health

As a board-certified dermatologist, my focus is intrinsically tied to the health of the skin, our body's primary interface with the environment. Increasingly, it's becoming impossible to ignore how broader environmental shifts, driven by climate change, are having profound and direct impacts on dermatological health. This isn't a distant threat; we are already seeing the effects in our clinics. Understanding these connections is crucial for adapting our skincare practices and protecting ourselves in a changing world.

Climate change encompasses a range of complex environmental shifts – rising global temperatures, altered weather patterns, increased frequency of extreme events, changes in air quality, and shifts in ecosystems. Each of these has specific consequences for our skin:

1. Increased UV Radiation Exposure:

1. The Impact: While efforts to heal the ozone layer have had success, climate change factors can still influence UV levels reaching the Earth's surface. More importantly, behavioral changes associated with warmer temperatures (more time spent outdoors) can increase overall UV exposure.
2. Skin Effects: This directly translates to a higher risk of sunburn, accelerated photoaging (wrinkles, leathery texture, sun spots), and, most critically, an increased incidence of all forms of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

2. Rising Temperatures and Extreme Heat Events:

1. The Impact: Heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense. Higher temperatures lead to increased sweating.
2. Skin Effects:
3. Heat Rash (Miliaria): Blocked sweat ducts lead to itchy red bumps.
4. Exacerbation of Inflammatory Conditions: Heat is a common trigger for conditions like rosacea (causing flushing and flare-ups) and can worsen itching and inflammation in eczema (atopic dermatitis).
5. Increased Sebum Production: Heat can stimulate oil glands, potentially contributing to acne flares in susceptible individuals.
6. Dehydration: Overall dehydration can impact skin barrier function, making it feel dry and tight despite sweating.

Also read: Decoding SPF: A Dermatologist's Guide to Choosing the Right Sunscreen

3. Worsening Air Pollution (Particulate Matter & Ozone):

1. The Impact: Climate change can worsen air quality by increasing ground-level ozone formation and concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) from sources like wildfires and industrial processes.
2. Skin Effects: These pollutants generate oxidative stress (free radical damage) in the skin. This contributes to:
3. Premature Aging: Breakdown of collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and sagging.
4. Hyperpigmentation: Development or worsening of dark spots.
5. Barrier Disruption: Weakening the skin's protective barrier, increasing sensitivity and dryness.
6. Aggravation of Inflammatory Diseases: Strong links exist between pollution exposure and worsening eczema, acne, and potentially rosacea.

4. Extreme Weather Events (Floods, Wildfires, Droughts):

1. The Impact: Increased frequency and severity of floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and droughts.
2. Skin Effects:
3. Infections: Exposure to contaminated floodwaters increases the risk of bacterial and fungal skin infections.
4. Irritant Dermatitis: Contact with irritants in floodwater or smoke/ash from wildfires can cause severe skin irritation.
5. Direct Injury: Trauma from storms or fires.
6. Barrier Impairment: Drought conditions and low humidity severely dry out the skin, compromising its barrier function.
7. Stress Impact: The significant stress associated with these events can trigger or worsen stress-related skin conditions like hives, eczema, and psoriasis.

5. Changes in Infectious Disease Patterns:

1. The Impact: Warmer temperatures and altered rainfall patterns expand the geographic range and seasonality of disease vectors like ticks and mosquitoes.
2. Skin Effects: Increased risk of vector-borne diseases with prominent skin manifestations, such as:
3. Lyme Disease: Transmitted by ticks, often presenting with a characteristic "bull's-eye" rash (erythema migrans).
4. West Nile Virus & Others: Mosquito-borne illnesses can sometimes cause rashes.
5. Changes in Fungal Infections: Altered humidity and temperature can influence the prevalence of certain fungal skin infections.

Also read: Daily Sunscreen: Is It Really Necessary? A Dermatologist's Uncompromising Answer

Adapting Your Skincare: What Can You Do?

While tackling climate change requires large-scale collective action, we can adapt our personal skincare strategies to mitigate some of these impacts:

1. Prioritize Aggressive Sun Protection: This is more critical than ever. Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily, reapplying frequently. Seek shade, wear protective clothing (UPF fabrics), wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses. Be especially vigilant during peak UV hours.
2. Bolster Your Skin Barrier: Support your skin's natural defenses against pollutants and irritants. Use gentle, non-stripping cleansers. Incorporate moisturizers rich in ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to hydrate and repair the barrier.
3. Add Antioxidant Protection: Combat oxidative stress from UV rays and pollution by incorporating topical antioxidants into your routine. Vitamin C serums are a classic choice; others include Vitamin E, ferulic acid, and green tea polyphenols.
4. Cleanse Thoroughly: Especially if you live in an area with high air pollution, cleanse your skin thoroughly each evening to remove accumulated particulate matter.
5. Manage Heat Exposure: During hot weather, wear lightweight, breathable clothing. Use lukewarm water for bathing. Stay hydrated. Seek cool environments when possible. Adjust skincare to lighter textures if needed.
6. Protect Against Vectors: In relevant areas, use effective insect repellents (following instructions carefully) and wear protective clothing during peak tick/mosquito activity times. Perform regular tick checks after being outdoors.
7. Maintain Existing Treatment Plans: If you have chronic inflammatory conditions like eczema or rosacea, diligently follow your dermatologist-prescribed treatment plan, as environmental triggers may become more frequent.
8. Stay Informed & Seek Professional Help: Be aware of local air quality alerts and UV index forecasts. If you notice persistent skin changes, new suspicious spots, worsening rashes, or signs of infection, consult a board-certified dermatologist promptly.

Conclusion:

Climate change is undeniably impacting our environment, and our skin is on the front lines of this interaction. From increased risks of skin cancer and premature aging due to UV and pollution, to the exacerbation of inflammatory conditions and new infectious disease threats, the dermatological consequences are real and growing. By understanding these risks and adapting our protective measures – prioritizing sun safety, barrier repair, antioxidant use, and seeking professional care when needed – we can help shield our skin against the pressures of our changing climate.