How to Protect Your Skin Barrier During Singapore's Haze Season

Summary

Introduction

If your skin has felt tighter, duller or more reactive lately, the haze may be playing a part. Singapore has experienced periods of moderate to unhealthy air quality this September, with smoke haze from fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan affecting the island as prevailing winds shift across the region.

Most conversations about haze focus on respiratory health — and rightly so. But air pollution can affect the skin too. Fine particulate matter and other airborne pollutants can settle on exposed skin and contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation and disruption of the skin barrier. For people with acne, eczema or sensitive skin, exposure to air pollution may also aggravate existing symptoms.

This guide explains where Singapore’s haze comes from, how air pollution can affect your skin, the signs of a compromised skin barrier to look out for, and practical steps you can take to protect your skin until the air quality improves.

Where Does Singapore’s Haze Come From?

Singapore’s haze is typically transboundary, meaning that much of the smoke originates outside Singapore and is carried here by prevailing winds. During dry periods, fires in parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan can produce large amounts of smoke and fine particulate matter. Depending on wind direction and weather conditions, this smoke may be transported towards Singapore.

During September 2026, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has reported moderate to dense smoke plumes from fires in southern and central Sumatra and Kalimantan, with smoke haze periodically drifting towards Singapore. Air quality has consequently fluctuated between Moderate and Unhealthy levels. On 15 September, for example, the 24-hour PSI across Singapore ranged from 92 to 131, placing different parts of the island in the Moderate to Unhealthy range.

This variability is characteristic of haze episodes. Conditions can improve after rainfall or a change in wind direction and deteriorate again when winds carry smoke towards Singapore. This is why it is more useful to follow current air-quality readings than to rely on how hazy the sky looks.

Understanding Singapore’s PSI Bands

For day-to-day decisions, NEA recommends looking at the 1-hour PM2.5 reading for immediate activities and the 24-hour PSI forecast when planning activities for the following day. This distinction is useful because air quality can change considerably over the course of a day and can vary between different parts of Singapore.

How Does Haze Affect Us?

Haze is primarily an air quality issue, and its effects go well beyond an occasional smoky smell. The main pollutant of concern during smoke haze in Singapore is PM2.5 — fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter.

Health Effects

Exposure to haze can cause:

• Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat
• Coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath
• Worsening of asthma and other existing respiratory conditions
• Greater health effects in more vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic heart or lung conditions

The health impact varies according to the level of air pollution, how long you are exposed and your underlying health. When air quality deteriorates, reducing prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity can help limit exposure.

Daily Life Effects

Haze can also affect everyday routines through:

• Reduced visibility and poorer outdoor conditions
• Schools, workplaces and sports organisations modifying outdoor activities
• More time spent indoors and changes to exercise routines
• Disruption to outdoor plans and everyday activities such as hanging laundry outside

Less obvious is the effect air pollution can have on the skin — our body’s outermost protective barrier.

How Haze Affects Your Skin

PM2.5 particles are extremely small — around 20 to 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair. Together with other components of air pollution, particulate matter can interact with exposed skin and contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation and disruption of normal skin-barrier function.

For some people, this may simply mean that their skin feels drier, duller or more sensitive than usual. For others — particularly those with eczema, acne or sensitive skin — periods of poorer air quality may aggravate an existing skin condition.

At Stephanie Ho Dermatology, we commonly see more patients presenting with eczema flares when haze conditions worsen in Singapore. Patients may notice increased itching, redness and dryness, or find that previously well-controlled eczema suddenly becomes more difficult to manage. This is particularly relevant in eczema because the skin barrier is already more vulnerable, and exposure to particulate air pollution may further contribute to inflammation and barrier dysfunction.

Air pollution can affect the skin in several ways:

Oxidative Stress

Air pollutants can increase the production of reactive oxygen species, or free radicals. Over time, oxidative stress can contribute to collagen degradation and premature skin ageing.

Barrier Disruption

Particulate pollution can interfere with normal skin-barrier function, reducing the skin’s ability to retain moisture and protect itself from environmental irritants.

Inflammation and Eczema Flares

Pollution can activate inflammatory pathways in the skin. In eczema-prone skin, this may contribute to increased itching, redness, dryness and more frequent or persistent flares.

Increased Skin Sensitivity

A weakened or inflamed skin barrier can make normally well-tolerated skincare products sting or irritate the skin.

Breakouts

Air pollution has been associated with acne and may aggravate breakouts in acne-prone skin, although pollution is only one of many factors involved.

Dryness and Dehydration

When the skin barrier is compromised, water is lost more readily from the skin, contributing to tightness, roughness and flaking.

Signs Your Skin May Be Reacting to Haze

During periods of poorer air quality, you may notice:

These symptoms are not specific to haze and can have many other causes. However, if your skin consistently becomes more reactive when air quality deteriorates, it may be worth simplifying your skincare routine, reducing unnecessary exposure and focusing on restoring and supporting the skin barrier.

Does Haze Cause or Worsen Acne, Eczema, and Other Skin Conditions?

This is one of the most common questions we hear during haze season, and the answer is not quite as simple as saying that haze “causes” a particular skin condition.

Haze does not directly cause acne or eczema in someone who would otherwise never develop them. Both are complex conditions influenced by factors such as genetics, hormones, immune function and the skin barrier. However, exposure to air pollution can aggravate existing skin conditions and make already sensitive or vulnerable skin more difficult to manage.

Acne

Air pollution has been associated with worsening acne, particularly in people who are already acne-prone. Rather than simply “clogging the pores”, particulate pollution may contribute through oxidative stress, inflammation and changes in the skin’s surface environment. During haze periods, some people may notice more comedones and inflammatory breakouts.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

This is one of the conditions we notice most during periods of haze. At Stephanie Ho Dermatology, we commonly see more patients presenting with eczema flares when air quality worsens in Singapore. People with eczema already have a more vulnerable skin barrier, and exposure to particulate air pollution can contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation and further disruption of barrier function. Patients may experience increased itching, redness and dryness, or find that previously controlled eczema suddenly becomes more difficult to manage.

Rosacea and Sensitive Skin

Pollution may contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress, which can make sensitive or reactive skin feel more uncomfortable. People with rosacea may also find their skin more reactive during periods of poor air quality, although established rosacea triggers such as heat, sunlight and temperature changes may be contributing at the same time.

Premature Skin Ageing and Pigmentation

Long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with features of extrinsic skin ageing, including increased pigmentation and wrinkles. Oxidative stress generated by pollutants is thought to be one of the mechanisms involved.

If you notice that your eczema, acne, rosacea or skin sensitivity repeatedly worsens during haze episodes, it may be worth having your skin properly assessed rather than repeatedly changing or adding over-the-counter products. Eczema may become itchier, drier and more inflamed; acne-prone skin may develop more frequent breakouts; while rosacea and sensitive skin may become increasingly red, irritated or reactive.

Children with eczema can also experience troublesome flares during periods of environmental irritation, particularly if their skin barrier is already compromised. Persistent scratching, disturbed sleep, weeping or crusting, or eczema that is becoming increasingly difficult to control are signs that treatment may need to be reviewed.

If your skin is flaring during the haze and is not settling with your usual skincare or treatment, a dermatologist consultation can help identify what is driving the flare and recommend appropriate treatment for eczema, acne, rosacea and sensitive skin. For babies, children and teenagers with persistent skin problems, our paediatric dermatology service provides assessment and treatment tailored to younger skin.

How to Protect Your Skin Barrier During Haze Season

The aim during haze season is simple: remove pollutants gently, minimise irritation, maintain the skin barrier and protect against UV exposure. More products are not necessarily better, particularly if your skin is already sensitive or eczema-prone.

1. Cleanse Gently After Being Outdoors

Airborne particles and other pollutants can settle on exposed skin, so cleansing at the end of the day is important. However, aggressive or repeated cleansing can damage the skin barrier and make dryness, sensitivity and eczema worse.

• Use a gentle, soap-free or low-pH cleanser, particularly if you have eczema or sensitive skin.
• If you have been wearing heavy sunscreen or make-up, you can consider double cleansing in the evening, starting with a micellar cleanser followed by a gentle water-based cleanser.
• Avoid scrubs, cleansing brushes and harsh foaming cleansers when your skin is already irritated.
• After prolonged outdoor exposure during significant haze, washing your face or showering when you return home can help remove particles from the skin.

2. Consider Antioxidant Skincare

Air pollution can increase oxidative stress in the skin. Topical antioxidants may help support the skin’s natural antioxidant defences, although they should complement — rather than replace — good barrier care and sun protection.

• Vitamin C is a well-studied topical antioxidant and can be used in the morning before sunscreen.
• Vitamin E, niacinamide and green tea-derived ingredients also have antioxidant or anti-inflammatory properties.
• Niacinamide has the additional benefit of supporting skin-barrier function and may be particularly useful for dry or sensitive skin.
• If your skin is actively inflamed or your eczema is flaring, keep your routine simple rather than introducing multiple new serums.

3. Don’t Skip Sunscreen

Hazy or overcast skies do not mean that your skin is protected from ultraviolet radiation. Both UVA and UVB can still reach the skin on cloudy or hazy days, so daily sun protection remains important.

• Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin.
• Reapply if you are spending prolonged periods outdoors, particularly after sweating or wiping the face.
• Choose a sunscreen that you tolerate well. For people with very sensitive or reactive skin, mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide may be better tolerated, although this varies between individuals.
• Hats, umbrellas and seeking shade provide useful additional protection.

4. Support and Repair the Skin Barrier

If your skin becomes dry, itchy or sensitive during the haze, prioritise barrier repair rather than adding more active ingredients.

• Look for moisturisers containing ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids, which help support the lipid components of the skin barrier.
• Humectants such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid and panthenol can help increase skin hydration.
• Apply moisturiser after cleansing and whenever the skin feels dry or tight.
• If your skin is irritated, temporarily reduce potentially irritating ingredients such as retinoids, exfoliating acids and scrubs.
• For eczema-prone skin, regular moisturising is particularly important. If eczema is actively flaring, moisturiser alone may not be enough and your usual prescribed treatment may need to be restarted or reviewed.

5. Key Ingredients to Focus On

If you are unsure which ingredients are appropriate for your skin — particularly if you have eczema, acne, rosacea or sensitive skin — a dermatologist consultation can help distinguish between simple barrier irritation and an underlying skin condition that requires treatment.

Lifestyle Habits That Can Reduce Haze Exposure

Skincare can help support your skin, but reducing your overall exposure to haze is equally important.

• Follow the NEA’s air-quality readings and health advisories. For activities over the next few hours, the 1-hour PM2.5 reading is particularly useful, while the 24-hour PSI forecast can help with planning for the following day.
• Reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity when air quality is poor, in accordance with NEA health guidance.
• Keep windows and doors closed when outdoor PM2.5 levels are high and consider using an appropriately sized air purifier with a HEPA filter to reduce indoor particulate levels.
• Avoid hanging freshly washed clothes outdoors during significant haze, as airborne particles can settle on fabrics.
• After spending prolonged periods outdoors in poor air quality, change out of exposed clothing and wash or shower gently to remove particles from the skin and hair.
• Continue your usual fluid intake and stay adequately hydrated, particularly if exercising or spending time outdoors, but remember that drinking extra water does not directly repair a damaged skin barrier.

The most important principle is not to over-treat your skin. If haze is making your skin dry or reactive, gentle cleansing, regular moisturising, sun protection and reducing exposure are usually more helpful than adding multiple new skincare products.

Conclusion

Singapore’s haze is a recurring environmental concern, and periods of poorer air quality can affect more than just our respiratory health. Exposure to particulate air pollution can also contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation and disruption of the skin barrier, particularly in people who already have eczema, acne, rosacea or sensitive skin.

The good news is that protecting your skin during haze season does not require a complicated routine. Focus on the fundamentals: cleanse gently, consider antioxidant skincare, use broad-spectrum sunscreen, moisturise regularly to support the skin barrier, and reduce unnecessary exposure when air quality is poor. If your skin is already irritated or eczema is flaring, simplifying your routine is often more helpful than adding multiple new products.

If you notice persistent eczema flares, worsening acne, increased rosacea or skin that has become unusually dry, red or sensitive during periods of haze, it may be worth having your skin properly assessed rather than repeatedly changing your skincare routine.

Book a consultation with Stephanie Ho Dermatology for a dermatologist assessment and personalised advice on managing your skin during the haze season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Air quality can change rapidly during haze episodes. Check official NEA updates for the latest PSI and PM2.5 readings and health advisories before planning outdoor activities.