So, can a daily cigarette, vape or even secondhand exposure be contributing to your acne breakouts? YES!
Basics of vaping
Vaping is inhaling vapour from an e-cigarette or vape pen by heating an element within the device, which then heats the liquid into an inhalable vapour.
In the vape liquid, there is nicotine, vegetable glycerin, flavour chemicals, and contaminants like formaldehyde, acetyl-aldehyde metals, and more.
How vaping contributes to acne, in-directly
Vasoconstriction and inflammation caused by nicotine may increase breakouts
The vape juice touching the skin may clog pores
Bacteria from the device, touching the skin, may cause breakouts
Vaping causes vitamin and mineral depletion, like vitamin C and vitamin E, which will cause deficiencies and induce breakouts.
How cigarettes contribute to acne
There is a specific type of acne that is caused by smoking, called APAA (Atypical Post-Adolescence Acne)
APAA looks like small red bumps, whiteheads or blackheads typically showing up on the chin and forehead
Smoking increases sebum peroxidation- which means the sebum (oil) is being broken down into a stickier, thicker liquid on the skin causing clogged pores and breakouts
Smoking also depletes vitamin E, which is a very important skin-protective anti-oxidant.
Overall, the research on cigarette and vape contributions to acne is still quite limited. However, it is no surprise that smoking of any kind is damaging to much more than just the skin, but the entire body. the skin,
That said, quitting nicotine is no easy feat to overcome.
Here are a few body and mind-supportive techniques to quit smoking/ vaping.
Acupuncture on pressure points of the ear has been shown to help lower nicotine cravings and increased time between relapses.
St. John's Wort is a sedative herb used to combat nervousness and the common apprehension that comes with quitting nicotine.
Black pepper oil and angelica oil have been shown to lower and extend the time between cravings. Pepper oil helps to lower cigarette cravings and angelica oil helps to extend the time between cravings
Fresh lime juice also helps with quitting nicotine as it's a natural alternative to nicotine gum via craving reduction. It increases vitamin C in the body and studies have shown deficiencies in vitamin C increase cigarette cravings
Keep a stick lip balm on you, this is helpful to get over the motor movements and constantly holding onto a vape. The action of bringing something from your pocket to your lips can be one of comfort, keeping a lip balm on you removes that movement loss.
Listen to the full podcast episode here: Wellness Woman Podcast