It is nearly one o'clock, and in the little surau on the office floor you take off your inner tudung cap to re-pin your scarf. On the white cotton, along the line where it sat against your forehead and cheeks, is a faint grey-brown smudge. You were only out for a short lunch. If you have noticed something like this in the haze, you have probably also wondered what the same air is doing to your skin.
This guide to haze and your skin explains what research actually says about air pollution and skin, why skin can look dull, feel itchy or break out during a hazy spell, and a simple, gentle routine you can follow, including tips for women who wear a hijab or tudung. It is part of our wider haze survival guide for Malaysian women, and it sticks to what dermatologist and research sources support.
What you'll learn
- What reviews of air pollution and skin say, and how limited that evidence still is.
- Why dullness, itchiness and breakouts can show up in haze, and which explanations are proven versus plausible.
- A short morning, after-outdoors and night routine built on gentle cleansing, moisturiser and broad-spectrum sunscreen.
- Hijab-friendly habits for the face, inner cap and scarf.
- When to see a dermatologist, and where supplements fit (and do not fit).
Related guides
- Start with the main haze guide for the API bands and what to do at each level, and the family guide to haze if you are caring for children, a pregnancy or older parents.
- If your scalp feels itchy too, read our guide to haze and hair fall.
- If you are wearing a mask outdoors, the haze mask guide covers fit and mask-related skin irritation.
What does research say about air pollution and skin?
Air pollution and skin is a real research field, but a young one. A state-of-the-art review by a European and Chinese panel of experts (Krutmann and colleagues, 2014) concluded that epidemiological and mechanistic studies suggest air pollution is affecting skin integrity, and it suggested cosmetic protective measures. It also noted studies linking long-term exposure to traffic-related particles with more pigment spots and wrinkles.
A second review (Mancebo and Wang, 2015) describes four ways that pollutants might harm skin: they may generate free radicals (unstable molecules that stress cells, often called oxidative stress), trigger inflammation that impairs the skin barrier, activate a cell receptor called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and change the skin's microflora. The authors say our knowledge of the effects on skin remains limited.
That "limited" matters. The research we reviewed does not tell us exactly what a few weeks of haze does to an individual face. It supports the general idea that polluted air is not kind to skin, and that gentle care and sun protection are sensible. It does not support dramatic promises.
Why can skin look dull, itchy or break out in the haze?
Several things can happen together on a hazy day. Some are supported by the research above, and some are plausible explanations rather than proven haze effects:
- Particles and grime on the surface. Fine particles and soot can settle on skin and fabric, as that smudge on the inner cap suggests. Left on the skin, they can add to dullness and may irritate sensitive skin. (This is a reasonable explanation, not a measured one.)
- A weakened skin barrier. Reviews link pollution with barrier impairment and inflammation. A stressed barrier can feel tight, rough or itchy, and may look dull.
- Over-washing. In a bid to get "clean", many of us scrub harder or wash more often. Dermatologists say strong washing can dry skin out and make irritation worse.
- Heat and sweat. Haze days in Malaysia are often hot, and sweat mixed with oil and residue can feel heavy on the skin. This is a common-sense factor.
- Friction. A mask or snug scarf rubbing the same spots can irritate skin and contribute to breakouts.
On pigmentation, we should be careful. Haze has not been established as a cause of dark spots or belang. What dermatologists consistently emphasise for pigmentation is sun protection and gentle care. Our guide to the role of sun protection in fading hyperpigmentation explains why, and our piece on oxidative stress and dull skin explains the free-radical idea in plain language.
A simple haze-day skin routine
A routine for haze does not need ten steps. The sources we reviewed (the American Academy of Dermatology and a UCLA Health guide) point to three basics: a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser and a broad-spectrum sunscreen. The table below turns them into a day.
A few more notes on the routine:
- Choose gentle, fragrance-free products. A UCLA Health guide suggests a gentle, non-abrasive, alcohol-free face wash and a fragrance-free, dye-free moisturiser, ideally with ceramides to support the skin barrier.
- Keep showers and washing short. Dermatologists advise limiting baths and showers to five to ten minutes in warm water, using only enough gentle cleanser to remove dirt without lots of lather, and applying moisturiser while skin is still damp.
- Double cleansing is optional. If you wore sunscreen or makeup, a gentle two-step cleanse (for example, a gentle oil or balm cleanser first, then your usual mild cleanser) can help remove it. This is common practice, not something proven specifically for haze. On bare-skin days, one gentle cleanse is enough, and scrubbing is never needed.
- Wear sunscreen even when the sky looks grey. The advice for broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher does not change with the weather. Look for water-resistant labels if you sweat a lot, since water resistance is rated for 40 or 80 minutes.
- Go easy on exfoliating acids and rough scrubs while skin feels sensitive.
If you wear a hijab or tudung
There is very little haze-specific clinical guidance for women who wear a hijab, so we will not pretend otherwise, and nothing here suggests your hijab is the problem. These are common-sense hygiene habits:
- Cleanse your face before covering up, and cleanse again when you get home, so residue is not sitting under fabric for hours.
- Keep the inner cap and scarf clean. Wash them regularly, and change out of a damp or gritty one rather than wearing it all day.
- Choose soft, breathable fabric that feels comfortable on the forehead and around the hairline.
- Watch the friction points, such as pins and tight edges against the cheeks and jawline, if you are prone to breakouts.
- Use sunscreen on the parts of your face and neck that are exposed. Belang (uneven tone between covered and exposed skin) is mostly a sun question; our hijab skin routine guide goes into it.
Itchy, sensitive or eczema-prone skin
If your skin already tends to be dry or eczema-prone, haze can make you more aware of it. A 2026 narrative review (Xue and colleagues) reports that particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone exposure are associated with higher incidence and severity of atopic dermatitis (eczema), with skin barrier damage and oxidative stress among the proposed mechanisms. The review also notes that the evidence is observational and lacks definitive proof of cause.
Practical steps are unglamorous but effective: moisturise generously (especially right after washing), keep washing short and gentle, and avoid products that sting. If you get a persistent, weeping, painful or spreading rash, or a product burns or stings, stop it and see a doctor or dermatologist.
What about antioxidant serums and supplements?
You may see "anti-pollution" serums and supplements promoted during haze. The UCLA Health guide does suggest antioxidant ingredients such as green tea extract, niacinamide, resveratrol and vitamins A, C and E in skincare to counter oxidative stress. Please read that as a suggestion rather than proof: we found no strong evidence that any particular serum or supplement shields skin from haze, and none replaces cleansing, moisturiser and sunscreen. Our evidence guide, do vitamin C and antioxidant supplements protect you from haze?, goes through the research.
If you already include a supplement in your daily routine for other reasons, here are the plain facts from our product pages, which are not claims about haze: Drann Vitamin C provides 500 mg of vitamin C per capsule (a form called PureWay-C), taken as one capsule daily, and Drann Glutathione provides 250 mg of reduced glutathione per capsule, taken as one capsule daily; its page says it is not for children under 12 or for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Neither is a substitute for avoiding exposure, for sunscreen, or for seeing a dermatologist, and you should check with your doctor or pharmacist first if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take regular medicines.
When should you see a dermatologist or doctor?
Home care works well for many people, but see a dermatologist or doctor if:
- Dry, itchy skin persists despite the steps above.
- You have a rash that is painful, weeping, spreading or not improving.
- A skincare product burns, stings or irritates your skin.
- Breakouts are severe, scarring or not settling with gentle care.
- A mole or dark patch is changing, growing or looks different from your other marks.
- You have swelling of the lips or face, trouble breathing, or feel unwell along with a rash. Seek urgent help.
Common myths (quick reality check)
- Myth: Haze causes dark spots and belang. Reality: Research links long-term pollution with skin changes, but haze itself has not been established as a cause of pigmentation. Sun protection remains the main step.
- Myth: The more I scrub, the cleaner and brighter my skin will be. Reality: Dermatologists advise gentle cleansing with minimal lather; harsh washing can dry and irritate skin.
- Myth: An anti-pollution serum or supplement means I can skip sunscreen. Reality: We found no evidence that any product replaces broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, a gentle cleanser and moisturiser.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does haze cause pimples?
We did not find strong evidence that haze alone causes acne. Heat, sweat, friction from masks or scarves, heavy products and not cleansing gently can all contribute, so a gentle routine is the sensible response.
Do I need a special anti-pollution skincare product?
The dermatology sources we reviewed recommend basics: a gentle cleanser, a fragrance-free moisturiser and broad-spectrum sunscreen. We did not find evidence ranking special "anti-pollution" products above that routine.
Should I use sunscreen on hazy days?
Yes. The American Academy of Dermatology advises broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and that advice does not depend on how clear the sky looks.
Can I wear sunscreen and a moisturiser under my hijab?
On exposed areas of the face and neck, yes. Choose fragrance-free products, let moisturiser settle before covering up, and cleanse thoroughly but gently at the end of the day.
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Skin conditions vary from person to person, so please consult a doctor or dermatologist for persistent, painful, spreading or worrying skin changes, and ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medicines.
References
- Pollution and skin: from epidemiological and mechanistic studies to clinical implications — Krutmann et al., Journal of Dermatological Science (2014)
- Recognizing the impact of ambient air pollution on skin health — Mancebo and Wang, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2015)
- Advances in research on the association between global air pollution and atopic dermatitis — Xue et al., Frontiers in Public Health (2026)
- How to select a sunscreen — American Academy of Dermatology
- Dermatologists' tips for dry skin relief — American Academy of Dermatology
- Simple steps to protect your skin from everyday pollution — UCLA Health
