Letters from the Press

Singapore Haze & Your Skin: How Air Pollution and PM2.5 Affect Your Skin

October 07, 2026

By Sandhini Jain

Singapore Haze & Your Skin: What PM2.5 and Air Pollution Can Do to Your Skin

When the haze rolls into Singapore, most of us check the PSI, close the windows and reconsider that outdoor run.

But your lungs aren’t the only part of your body exposed to the air around you. Your skin is too.

Singapore has experienced periods of elevated PM2.5 and unhealthy PSI readings during the current haze. On 6 October, for example, the NEA reported 1-hour PM2.5 readings of 73–103 µg/m³ and 24-hour PSI readings of 102–135, within the Unhealthy range. National Environment Agency

So what does that actually mean for your skin?

What is PM2.5?

PM2.5 refers to airborne particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or smaller.

These fine particles are one of the measures used to understand air pollution during Singapore's haze episodes. For immediate activities, the NEA recommends referring to the 1-hour PM2.5 reading, while the 24-hour PSI forecast is used to plan ahead. National Environment Agency

And while we tend to think about pollution primarily in terms of respiratory health, research increasingly looks at the skin as another interface between our bodies and the environment.

How Can Singapore's Haze Affect Your Skin?

Your skin barrier is designed to protect you from the outside world. But exposure to airborne particulate matter has been associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and disruption of skin-barrier function.

A systematic review of research into particulate matter and skin found that exposure can promote the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), contributing to oxidative stress and skin-barrier dysfunction. PubMed Central (PMC)

In everyday terms, that means periods of increased pollution aren't necessarily the time to throw more products at your skin.

Your skin may benefit more from cleansing gently, supporting the barrier and prioritising hydration and antioxidant-rich skincare.

Signs Your Skin May Be Feeling Stressed

Everyone's skin responds differently, but during periods of haze or increased environmental exposure, you may notice your skin feels:

Drier or tighter than usual
Dull or less radiant
More sensitive or reactive
Dehydrated despite Singapore's humidity
Generally more uncomfortable

Pollution isn't necessarily the cause of every sudden skin change, but environmental exposure is one factor worth considering.

Should You Change Your Skincare Routine During the Singapore Haze?

Not dramatically.

In fact, simpler may be better.

Dermatologists speaking about Singapore's current haze have recommended prioritising the skin barrier, including a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen rather than unnecessarily complicating the routine. The Straits Times

Here's how we'd approach it.

1. Cleanse the Day Off

When you get home, gently cleanse your face to remove sunscreen, sweat, sebum and particles accumulated throughout the day.

There's no need to aggressively scrub your skin in an attempt to "detox" it. Over-cleansing can leave an already stressed barrier feeling even more stripped.

2. Give Your Skin Antioxidant Support

Air pollution can contribute to the formation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in the skin. This is why antioxidants are particularly interesting in pollution-focused skincare research. PubMed Central (PMC)

Look for formulas containing antioxidant-rich plant oils or other well-characterised antioxidant ingredients.

3. Support Your Skin Barrier

Your barrier needs lipids to function properly.

Ingredients such as squalane and linoleic-acid-rich plant oils can be useful additions to a routine focused on replenishing lipids and reducing moisture loss.

Think less about attacking your skin and more about supporting it.

4. Don't Forget Sunscreen

Haze isn't sunscreen.

Even when the sky looks grey or hazy, keep your normal daytime sun-protection routine.

Where Prickly Pear Comes In

This is exactly the kind of environmental stress we had in mind when formulating our Prickly Pear Antioxidant Face Serum.

Rather than adding another aggressive active to your routine, we built the formula around oils and antioxidants that complement the skin's barrier.

Prickly Pear Seed Oil is rich in linoleic acid and helps replenish the skin with lipids.

RADICARE®-GOLD is an antioxidant carotenoid complex incorporated into the formula to support protection against environmental oxidative stress.

Olive Squalane replenishes skin-identical lipids and helps reduce moisture loss.

Green Tea Oil provides antioxidant compounds that help defend against free-radical damage.

Together, they're designed to support the skin barrier, replenish lipids and provide antioxidant support without turning haze season into another ten-step skincare routine.