Wildfire Smoke and the Affects on your skin

First, I want to send my condolences to anyone who has been affected by the wildfires this season. It’s been heartbreaking to watch fires damage so much of our beautiful state. Unfortunately, wildfire smoke has become something we tend to experience toward the end of summer in Washington, so I wanted to share a little more about how poor air quality can affect your skin and what you can do to help protect it.

What Wildfire Smoke Does to your Skin

We hear a lot about protecting our lungs when air quality drops, but the smoke and pollution in the air can affect our skin, too.

Wildfire smoke contains a mixture of gases and very small particles called particulate matter. These particles can settle on the surface of the skin and contribute to oxidative stress, which happens when free radical activity exceeds the skin’s antioxidant defenses.

Over time, oxidative stress can contribute to inflammation, disruption of the skin barrier, collagen degradation and changes in pigmentation. If your skin is already acne prone, sensitive, dry or experiencing an impaired barrier, you may notice that it feels a little more reactive when the air quality is poor.

You might experience more redness, dryness, itching, sensitivity or congestion. For those prone to hyperpigmentation, inflammation is especially important because inflammatory signaling can stimulate melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing pigment.

How to care for your skin during wildfire season

When the air quality is poor, this isn't necessarily the time to add more exfoliation to your routine. Instead, focus on thoroughly but gently cleansing your skin at the end of the day to remove sunscreen, makeup, oil and environmental debris.

This is also a great time to prioritize antioxidants. Ingredients such as vitamin C can help support the skin's antioxidant defenses against free radicals generated by environmental exposure.

Barrier support matters, too. Look for ingredients such as ceramides, fatty acids, squalane, glycerin and other humectants and emollients that help maintain hydration and support the protective outer layers of the skin.

I’ve been loving Face Reality’s Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser and Barrier Care Gel Cream lately for exactly this reason. They’re great options when the goal is to gently cleanse while prioritizing hydration and barrier support.

And even when the sky is hazy, continue wearing your SPF. Smoke doesn't replace sun protection, and UVA radiation can still reach the skin through clouds and haze.

DMK Ultra Screen SPF is my all time favorite because it’s great for sensitive skin while also helping defend against UVA exposure.

If your skin suddenly feels more sensitive when the air quality is poor, listen to it. This is usually a good time to scale things back, focus on barrier support, and let your skin settle before adding more exfoliating actives.