Smoking is a habit across the world, with roughly 1.18 billion people regularly smoking tobacco products. The University of Washington’s research on the evolution of global smoking found that adult smoking prevalence in 2020 was 32.6% among both men and women. It’s also not just cigarettes; vaping and e-cigarettes have seen immense growth in just a few years. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics discovered that the percentage of young adults who use e-cigarettes like
JUUL doubled in the span of a year.
Many smokers know the effects smoking can have on the lungs or breathing but not so much about how the habit changes your skin. From quickening the aging process to skin complications and diseases, tobacco and nicotine can do a number on your skin care regimen.
How smoking affects your skin
One of the most significant impacts smoking has on your skin is premature aging. Research on chronic smoking shows that smoking can cause a decline in the skin’s functions. It forms coarse and deep wrinkles, stiffens the dermis and epidermis, and changes the skin’s elastic fibers. Smoking also starves the body of essential vitamins, such as vitamin C. Vitamin C is an integral part of the production of collagen, which is responsible for growing and repairing cells in various parts and systems of the body, including the skin. Smoking impedes collagen’s functions, making you more susceptible to sun damage, wrinkling, and skin discoloration.
Tips for the quit
To keep your skin at its best state, the best thing to do is to start by ditching cigarettes. It won’t be easy, but it's doable. So how do long-time smokers finally kick the habit for good? Here are a few ideas on how you can start:
Try nicotine alternatives
Long-time smokers may experience withdrawals when attempting to go cold turkey, but new products are available now to help you quit gradually. One breakthrough in the nicotine industry is the tobacco-free nicotine pouch. The vast array of nicotine pouches stocked at
Prilla show how these products come in many types, flavors, and nicotine levels so that you can adjust your nicotine intake accordingly. You place the nicotine pouch under your lip and enjoy it for up to 60 minutes.
Another option is nicotine patches which you stick to your skin. These can provide a steady nicotine buzz without oral intake and are more suitable for heavy smokers trying to quit. These products are better for the skin without the smoke and the irritating drip that traditional cigarettes release.
Practice mindfulness
You may have been smoking for so long that it’s become a no-brainer habit, and you may not even think twice about having a smoke anymore. Practicing mindfulness can make you more conscious of your actions and help you avoid a cigarette more often. A study from
Purdue University found that mindfulness training can help decrease the smoking frequency by assisting smokers to not give in to their urges, no matter the intensity. If you find yourself craving a smoke, mindfulness can help you be aware of that craving to keep it at bay. You can then turn your attention to distracting yourself away from cigarettes.
Reward yourself
Letting go of smoking is hard, which is why any milestone and achievement should be celebrated! Buy something on your wishlist for a while, treat yourself to good food, or go out with friends. The money you once used for cigarettes can now be saved and spent on better things, so make that your motivation for quitting.
Keeping away from cigarettes will keep you on track for better and healthier skin. Do your part to care for yourself — apply sunblock regularly, drink plenty of water, and eat a vitamin-rich diet.
Lux Lifestyle also emphasizes the importance of sleep, which can keep you looking and feeling your best when done well. Quitting smoking can be difficult, but the longer you stay away, the more you’ll see yourself (and your skin) come back to life.
