TL;DR — Vaping can indirectly cause acne because of propylene glycol, a skin irritant, and nicotine which can increase sebum production and clog pores. Vaping can also contribute to dry skin, redness, dermatitis, and early signs of aging.

So, you started vaping to stop ripping heaters. No judgment here—whatever works, right? But now, instead of that smooth, clear skin you’ve been working on, you're waking up with acne breakouts that look like a throwback to high school.

Turns out that cloud of mango-flavored vapor might be giving you more than a nicotine buzz—it could be the reason your skin’s freaking out. It's not just the chemicals at play here—dehydration, inflammation, and more could be fueling those breakouts you’ve been trying to dodge.

If notice more pimples the more you puff, you’re not alone. Let’s break down what’s really happening and figure out how to stop your vape from becoming your skin’s latest enemy.

Does Vaping Cause Acne?

There’s not enough evidence to prove that vaping directly causes acne breakouts (or makes them worse). However, dermatologists note that some of the chemicals you inhale from vape devices and e-cigarettes contain substances that can irritate your skin, indirectly contributing to acne problems.

Here are seven common chemicals found in vapes that can cause acne or other skin issues:

1. Propylene Glycol: This is a common ingredient in vape liquids that can cause skin irritation and dryness, leading to an increased chance of breakouts.
2. Nicotine: It constricts blood vessels, reducing oxygen and nutrient flow to the skin, which can slow healing and contribute to dryness, inflammation, and breakouts.
3. Vegetable Glycerin (VG): While generally considered safe, VG can clog pores in some people, leading to acne and other skin issues.
4. Flavoring Agents: Artificial flavorings and chemicals like diacetyl used to create vape flavors can irritate the skin or trigger allergic reactions, causing rashes or breakouts.
5. Acetaldehyde: A chemical produced during vaping that can cause oxidative stress, leading to skin inflammation and premature aging.
6. Formaldehyde: Another byproduct of vaping, which can irritate the skin and worsen conditions like eczema or acne.
7. Heavy Metals: Nickel, tin, and lead can be released from the vape device itself, potentially leading to irritation or allergic reactions that affect the skin.

As you can see, vaping isn’t exactly ideal if you’re trying to level up your skincare game, especially if you have sensitive skin or acne-prone skin.

6 Ways Vaping Can Affect Your Skin

When you vape, your body absorbs a bunch of chemicals that can potentially jack up your skin and make it harder to heal. We’re not trying to lecture you like a D.A.R.E. officer, we’re just here to spit facts. Hitting vape every now and then (probably) won’t wreck your face. But years of vaping like a fiend can sabotage your skin. Here are six potential issues to look out for.

1. Chronic Inflammation

Vaping introduces chemicals that can inflame your face in a hurry. Think skin that’s irritated, puffy, and more prone to breakouts. Nicotine and other byproducts from vaping disrupt your skin’s natural barrier, leading to long-term irritation that doesn't go away with a cold shower.

2. Dry Skin

Propylene glycol, a staple in most vape liquids, is great for creating those clouds of vapor but not so great for your skin. It’s a humectant, which sounds fancy until you realize it pulls moisture away from your skin. This can leave you with a dry, flaky complexion that no amount of moisturizer can fix—basically, your skin's way of throwing in the towel.

3. Skin Redness

Vaping can cause blood vessels to dilate or constrict, leading to redness that sticks around longer than you’d like. If you’ve noticed that post-vape flush doesn’t go away as fast as it used to, it's probably due to the chemicals irritating your skin, giving you that permanent "just ran a mile" look.

4. Loss of Collagen and Elasticin

Nicotine, the real star of the show, isn’t doing your skin any favors. It reduces blood flow, meaning your skin doesn’t get the nutrients it needs to produce collagen and elastin—the stuff that keeps you looking young and tight. Without these, your skin starts losing its snapback, leading to sagging and wrinkles that are harder to fight off than your vape cravings.

5. Fine Lines & Wrinkles

If you thought wrinkles were just a problem for Future You, vaping could fast-track that timeline. All those chemicals cause oxidative stress, which basically breaks down your skin’s structure from the inside out. Translation: the more you vape, the quicker those fine lines can settle in, making you look older than you'd probably like.

6. Contact Dermatitis

Vape liquids are full of potential irritants, including artificial flavorings and heavy metals that can leak from the cartridge. If your skin’s sensitive, this cocktail can cause allergic reactions like contact dermatitis—basically red, itchy patches that show up wherever your skin comes into contact with the vape or vapor. Not exactly the look you’re going for.

Will Quitting Vaping Help Your Acne?

If you quit vaping, there’s a solid chance your acne will clear up and your skin will look better. Getting off nicotine will boost blood flow, causing carbon monoxide levels to drop. As oxygen, antioxidants, and new skin cell production ramp up, your complexion should improve.

Reality check: You’re not going to get supermodel skin overnight if you’ve been vaping like a fiend. But after a few weeks, you should notice fewer zits, less redness, and a more even skin tone. At the very least, you’ll prevent any further damage to your moneymaker.

Take a Hit of PrettyBoy

We’re not here to tell you to quit vaping. But we’re definitely here to tell you to quit buying shitty skincare products. If your face is acting (and looking) like it just went ten rounds with a sandblaster, it’s time to hit reset.

Enter PrettyBoy.

Whether you’re dealing with breakouts, redness, or trying to fade some fine lines, PrettyBoy has your back (or rather, your face). Our Revival Moisturizer and Fresh Start Cleanser are designed to repair damaged skin and keep your face looking its best, even if you don’t plant to quit cold turkey anytime soon.