Yes, ozone can be harmful to the skin.
Understanding Ozone's Impact on Skin
Ozone, while beneficial in the upper atmosphere, can react with skin oils, leading to the formation of potentially harmful byproducts. These byproducts can be categorized based on their volatility:
- Volatile Products: These are compounds that easily evaporate and can be inhaled. According to research, some of these, particularly dicarbonyls, may irritate the respiratory system.
- Less Volatile Products: These remain on the skin and may cause skin irritation.
How Ozone Affects Skin
The interaction between ozone and skin oils results in oxidative processes that generate compounds that can be harmful to the skin. Here's a breakdown of these effects:
- Irritation: Less volatile oxidation products can trigger skin irritation, causing discomfort and redness.
- Respiratory Issues: Inhaled volatile products may irritate the respiratory tract.
Key Findings from Research
| Product Type | Volatility | Potential Effect | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volatile Products | High | Respiratory Irritation (e.g., dicarbonyls) | (41–43) |
| Less Volatile Products | Low | Skin Irritation | (14–16, 44, 45) |
What You Can Do
While avoiding ozone entirely is often impractical, here are some measures you can take:
- Minimize Exposure: Limit time spent in highly polluted areas with high ozone levels.
- Use Antioxidants: Topical antioxidants may help neutralize the harmful byproducts of ozone reactions on your skin.
- Cleanse Skin: Regularly cleansing your skin can help remove the accumulated byproducts of ozone exposure.
