Is Vaping Bad for My Skin?

I’m always surprised to see people who care about their health and appearance — the same ones who wear sunscreen and know their way around an Erewhon — pulling on a vape. And the habit is pretty common, especially with Gen Z: 25 percent of adults ages 19 to 30 report vaping nicotine in the past year, and 22 percent have vaped cannabis, according to a 2023 study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. Unfortunately, the aerosol clouds released by pens and vapes can damage skin just as smoke does. “If you have to choose, are you going to smoke or are you going to vape, the vaping may be better for your lungs and your face, but that doesn’t mean it’s good,” says Heather D. Rogers, M.D., a Seattle physician who is board-certified in dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery. Here’s what vaping weed and nicotine does to your skin — and how to protect your complexion.

Does vaping age your skin?

Yes. The cloud you exhale after sucking on a vape pen isn’t just water vapor; it also contains propylene glycol and glycerin — which can be irritating when aerosolized — and may contain any number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, and other chemicals, depending on the type of pen or cartridge you’re using. It may not be smoke, per se, but it is pollution. “You are still exposing yourself to a tremendous amount of free radicals, like oxygenated species that are going to break down your collagen, lead to brown spots, and wrinkle your skin over time,” Rogers says. There haven’t been extensive studies on how first- and secondhand vape emissions affect the skin, but research shows that increased exposure to air pollution is associated with deeper nasolabial folds and more pigment spots on the face.

How exactly does vaping affect the skin?

Vaping doesn’t just accelerate aging; it can also lead to other skin issues. “I’ve seen plenty of people have allergic reactions on their hands and face and around their mouth and not realize it’s because they’re basically aerosolizing common allergens,” Rogers says. Those potentially irritating ingredients include nickel — a heavy metal that may be present in vape pens or cartridges — as well as flavoring ingredients, like cinnamon and menthol.

Is there a difference between vaping nicotine and weed?

Not really. “With regard to skin, weed and nicotine, when you vape them, expose you to similar risks for aging,” Rogers says. However, there are other differences between the two drugs that could affect your skin. Nicotine, for example, has been shown to slow wound healing and inhibit immune function — two additional detrimental effects on the skin.

How can I protect my skin from the effects of vaping?

If you vape cannabis or nicotine, even rarely, try to do it somewhere that’s well ventilated. You can also protect your skin by applying a product with vitamin C. “It’s one of the most successful ingredients for collecting free radicals, so they’re less likely to get into your skin and break down your collagen,” Rogers says. Products with L-ascorbic acid, a common form of vitamin C, can be irritating for some people, so if you’ve had an issue with vitamin C in the past, look for a serum or moisturizer with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a gentler form of the antioxidant. It’s in two of my favorite protective moisturizers, Dr. Idriss Major Fade Active Seal Moisturizer ($46) and Versed Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Moisturizer ($13.99). And if you care only about your complexion — and aren’t as concerned with other health issues — you could always go with a non-aerosolized form of nicotine, like gum or pouches. But avoiding nicotine and limiting other drug use is still the healthiest option.

Dr. Idriss Major Fade Active Seal Dark Spot Vitamin C Gel Moisturizer

$58 at Sephora

$58 at Dr. Idriss

Versed Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Solution

$18 at Amazon

$18 at Target

$18 at Versed Skincare

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