Smoking is bad for you. There is no question about that. It harms you and others around you in many ways.

Our skin breathes through pores. The sebaceous glands in the skin produce oil called sebum which helps to keep our skin soft and smooth. The production of sebum is controlled by the hormones that are produced in the body. When there is an imbalance in the hormones, the glands start producing more oil. This excess oil gets mixed with the dead cells of the skin clogging the pores, resulting in pimples.



When you smoke, harsh carcinogenic chemicals fill your body. The level of poisonous carbon monoxide in the blood rises. This creates a hormonal imbalance which makes your body produce more sebum. And the result is that you get acne. There have been numerous researches in this subject and the results prove that smoking can cause and aggravate acne.

Acne produced per cigarette cannot be measured, but the more you smoke, the more prone you are. Smoke aggravates breakout of pimples even in non smokers who are exposed to it.

Acne suffered by cigarette smokers has been found to be of the non inflammatory type. It is different from the type found in non smokers unexposed to smoke. This non inflammatory type is distinguished by large blackheads and blocked pores.

Research proves that there is a strong link between acne and women smokers. Nearly 50% of women who smoke get the non inflammatory type. Smokers were also found to have only half the secretion of Vitamin E, when compared to non smokers.
Vitamin E is very necessary for healthy skin.

It was also found that when compared to a non smoker who had suffered acne in teenage, a smoker who has had acne in their teens is four times more prone to have it when older. Smoking also promotes the early ageing and wrinkling of skin.

Regular exercise can regulate the hormone production in the body. A good diet is also important. At least five servings of fruits and vegetables are recommended. Drinking lots of water will flush the toxins from your body. Try and avoid processed and sugary food items. Frequent washing of the face is not recommended. Wash only twice a day. Never scrub your skin, simply wash with a mild soap and pat dry.

Last, but not the least, stop smoking. It will do you and the world a lot of good if you quit. With so many smokers and passive smokers dying from illnesses related to smoking like cancer and heart disease, it cannot but be a good idea to stop smoking now.