Smoking & vaping | Eczema Eaze 2

Smoking, Vaping and Eczema – Why It’s Bad for Your Skin

If you or someone close to you has eczema, you probably already know that lifestyle choices play a big role in skin health. But one factor that often gets overlooked is smoking and vaping. Whether it’s traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes, both can seriously affect eczema, making flare-ups more frequent, intense, and harder to manage.

Here’s everything you need to know about how smoking and vaping impact eczema, and why it’s best to avoid them if you want healthier skin.

How Smoking Affects Eczema

Smoking doesn't just harm your lungs—it affects your entire body, including your skin. For people with eczema, cigarette smoke can cause major problems:

Weakens the Skin Barrier

Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals, many of which damage the skin’s protective barrier. This leaves eczema-prone skin more vulnerable to dryness, irritation, and infection.

Increases Inflammation

Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes cause inflammation throughout the body. For people with eczema, this means more flare-ups and slower healing.

Triggers Allergic Reactions

Cigarette smoke contains allergens and irritants that can worsen asthma, hay fever, and eczema—especially in children and babies exposed to second hand smoke.

Dehydrates the Skin

Smoking reduces blood flow and oxygen to the skin, leading to dryness, premature ageing, and worsened eczema symptoms.

What About Vaping?

Vaping is often seen as a "safer" alternative to smoking, but it still comes with risks for people with eczema.

Here’s how vaping can affect your skin:

Many e-liquids contain propylene glycol – a chemical that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, especially for those with sensitive skin.
Flavoured vapes often contain chemical additives that may act as irritants when inhaled.
Vaping may also cause dry mouth and dehydration, which can reduce skin moisture levels.
The long-term effects of vaping on eczema aren’t fully known—but early signs show it can still trigger or worsen symptoms.

Second hand Smoke and Children With Eczema

Children and babies with eczema are especially vulnerable to secondhand smoke. Research shows that kids exposed to cigarette smoke at home are more likely to develop eczema or have more severe flare-ups.

Even smoke particles that stick to clothes, furniture, or walls—known as thirdhand smoke—can trigger reactions in sensitive skin.

What You Can Do

Quit smoking or vaping – Your skin will thank you, and so will your overall health
Avoid smoking indoors or around children
Stay away from smoky environments
Use a moisturiser daily to protect and hydrate the skin
Talk to your GP or pharmacist about support to quit smoking or vaping

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Final Thoughts

Smoking and vaping don’t just damage your health—they also harm your skin. For people living with eczema, quitting is one of the most powerful steps you can take to reduce flare-ups, protect your skin barrier, and feel better overall.