How Does Global Warming Affect Your Skin? Climate Smart Skin Tips

Remember those school projects about saving the rainforest? Global warming was usually the topic of the lesson. But back then, we gave little thought to what it was doing to our complexion. 

So, how does global warming affect your skin? 🤔 From increased sun exposure and extreme weather conditions to rising pollution levels, climate change is creating a new set of challenges for our skin.

At Pour Moi Skincare, we believe in a proactive approach to caring for your skin — one that adapts to the ever-changing world around you. 🌍 Our climate-smart solutions combat the effects of global warming so you can maintain a healthy, radiant complexion, even in the face of environmental shifts.

Today, we’ll uncover how climate change impacts your skin, the science behind these changes, and the best strategies for safeguarding your skin.

What is Global Warming?

Global warming (or climate change) refers to the long-term heating of Earth's climate [1]. In other words, Earth’s average temperature is rising. As for what causes it, we ourselves are the culprits. 🫣

Global warming results mainly from things humans do, like burning oil, gas, and coal for energy. These activities increase the amount of heat-trapping greenhouse gas in the environment, which, in turn, raises the planet’s surface temperature. 

Beyond the rising heat, the effects of global warming include extreme weather events and increased air pollution. 

Skin health and environmental factors caused by global warming are closely intertwined. In fact, your complexion is often the first to show the visible signs of a changing climate.

How Does Global Warming Affect Your Skin?

Your complexion is in constant conversation with its environment. And as our climate ebbs and flows, that conversation gets more complex. Dryness, irritation, and premature aging are becoming more common concerns, resulting from factors like:

Increased UV Exposure

As global warming thins the ozone layer, your skin gets more exposed to harmful UV radiation [2]. That sun exposure can potentially threaten your skin's health, inviting sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer.

Extreme Weather Conditions

Global warming triggers extreme weather events, from scorching heat waves and droughts to intense humidity and storms [3]. These fluctuations can disrupt your skin's delicate balance, leading to dehydration, inflammation, and irritation.

Seasonal Shifts

As climate change alters weather patterns, the seasons themselves become less predictable. Just ask anyone in SoCal who's battled wildfires in the middle of winter [4]. These shifts can confuse your skin, making it harder to adapt and maintain a healthy balance.

Air Pollution

Pollutants like particulate matter and ozone can irritate and inflame the skin, leading to redness, sensitivity, and breakouts [5]. This can damage collagen and elastin, accelerating the aging process as well as disrupting your skin’s barrier function. 

Skin Allergies

The ways global warming alters the environment can increase the prevalence of a skin allergy due to weather changes [6]. As pollen seasons intensify, humidity levels rise, and extreme weather becomes more frequent, causing your skin to respond with increased sensitivity, irritation, and unexpected breakouts.  

The silver lining? While the world may still be figuring out how to stop climate change, we’ve cracked the code on safeguarding your skin's health and radiance.

Global warming might feel like a losing battle, but when it comes to your skin, you have more power than you think.

3 Ways to Climate-Proof Your Complexion

Here are three ways to keep your complexion strong and resilient, even in the face of a changing climate:

1. Embrace Climate-Smart® skincare

Our Climate-Smart® skincare is designed to adapt to your environment, delivering targeted solutions for your skin's unique needs in any given climate. This includes products like:

• Clarifying polish to cleanse, soften, and purify skin from the damaging effects of particulate matter and other environmental aggressors.

• Day creams and night cream tailored to different regions, delivering hydration, protection, and anti-aging benefits unique to your climate.

• Serums, which pack a concentrated dose of active ingredients to address specific concerns, like dryness, hyperpigmentation, or sensitivity.

• Masks that boost hydration, soothe irritation, and revitalize your complexion when and where your skin needs it most.

• Hydrating balancers formulated to address the demands of both humid and arid environments while keeping your skin’s barrier in equilibrium. 

• Weather-proof drops, exclusively developed to shield your skin from the elements and rejuvenate your complexion.

Better yet, treat yourself to a Climate-Smart® Rotating System for a curated selection of products designed to nourish, protect, and revitalize your skin, no matter where you live.

2. Make UV protection non-negotiable

Your skin's outermost layer, the stratum corneum, is your shield against the sun, but it's not invincible. To reinforce that protection, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and remember to reapply every two hours [7].

And if limited sunshine’s the issue, no problem. Our Sunlight Drops will help you compensate with a potent dose of Vitamin D3, keeping you radiant and protected from the visible effects of sun deprivation.

3. Adopt healthy habits for healthy skin

Your skin is a reflection of your overall health and climate. To nourish your body from the inside out:

• Drink 9-13 oz. of water [8]

• Wear protective clothing

• Use a humidifier indoors

• Eat nutrient-rich foods

• Exercise regularly

• Keep stress in check

• Get adequate sleep

• Support sustainable practices
  

Pour Moi Skincare: Your Ally Through Climate Change

We might not have pondered questions like “How does global warming affect your skin?” in our elementary school climate change talks, but it’s safe to say it’s top of mind now.

The good news is while global warming remains a global crisis, it doesn't have to be a personal skin crisis, too. By understanding how it affects your complexion, adopting a proactive skincare routine, and making smart lifestyle changes, you can keep your skin balanced and agile to the world around you.

Don't let your environment define your complexion's fate. Harness Pour Moi's Climate-Smart® skincare and weather any change or climate with healthy, glowing skin. ✨

References

NASA. What Is Climate Change? science.nasa.gov. Published 2018.

Miller K. The Heat Is On. The Skin Cancer Foundation. Published April 18, 2024.

How Climate Change Is Fueling Extreme Weather. Earthjustice. Published October 1, 2024.

Bush E. Conditions that fueled California fires were more likely due to climate change: report. NBC News. Published January 28, 2025.

Dijkhoff IM, Drasler B, Karakocak BB, et al. Impact of airborne particulate matter on skin: a systematic review from epidemiology to in vitro studies. Particle and Fibre Toxicology. 2020;17(1).

Extreme Allergies and Global Warming: report. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. National Wildlife Federation. Published 2010.

Authoritly. Why Does Sunscreen Only Last 2 Hours? Dermatology and Skin Health - Dr. Mendese. Published May 5, 2023.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Water. The Nutrition Source. Published September 24, 2019.