Does Air Pollution Affect Skin Health?
-
By
February 13, 2026
-
5 min
A systematic review evaluated the connection between ambient air pollution and various skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and melanoma. Despite many studies associating pollutants like particulate matter and gases (nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone) with worse skin conditions, the overall certainty of evidence was rated low due to high risks of bias and varied results across studies. The lead investigator, Nidhi Singh, highlighted the need for more reliable longitudinal research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to strengthen causality.
1. Reviewed associations between air pollution and skin diseases. 2. Focused on atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, urticaria, acne, melanoma. 3. 77 studies selected with varying quality of evidence. 4. Immediate effects from short-term exposure noted. 5. High risk of bias due to confounding factors. 6. Need for more longitudinal studies emphasized. 7. Lack of data from low- and middle-income countries acknowledged.
Listen Tab content
