A measured look at expert advice on haze, skin, scalp and eyes, with evidence limits, official air-quality monitoring and gentle routine care.
On September 25, 2026, Malay Mail reported concerns from Malaysian dermatologists that haze may affect skin, scalp and eyes as well as the respiratory system. The experts discussed possible irritation and inflammation alongside questions about prolonged exposure and visible skin aging. Their advice centred on reducing exposure and maintaining gentle everyday care.
For readers concerned about beauty and healthy aging, the useful question is how to put those warnings into perspective. Younell’s research-led coverage of skin and hair focuses on separating useful evidence from marketing noise. Here, that means understanding the experts’ concerns before deciding what their advice means for an everyday routine.
Malay Mail described PM2.5 as fine particulate matter 2.5 micrometres in diameter. Consultant dermatologist Dr Nik Aimee Azizah Faheem of UM Specialist Centre told the publication that these particles can penetrate tissue, including skin and eyes.
The dermatologists discussed sensitivity, dryness and irritation as possible skin effects. They also raised the possibility of flare-ups involving eczema, psoriasis or acne. Their explanations focused on oxidative stress, inflammation and disruption of the skin barrier.
Dr Kwan Zhenli of Subang Jaya Medical Centre attributed potential skin effects to oxidative stress and inflammation. Dr Kwan also said pollutants may interact with UV radiation in ways that worsen oxidative skin damage. This was part of the experts’ explanation for why their advice included sunscreen even when the sky appears hazy.
The longer-term concern came from Dr Low Dyoi-E of Pantai Hospital Cheras. Dr Low told Malay Mail that prolonged haze exposure may accelerate premature skin aging by promoting free-radical damage to collagen and elastin. The wording matters: the concern relates to prolonged exposure and was expressed as a possibility.
The discussion also extended beyond facial skin. The experts raised possible scalp effects involving blocked follicles, irritation and flaking. For eyes, they described short-term symptoms including dryness and redness. Itchiness and conjunctivitis were also mentioned.
These concerns appeared within a broader public-health conversation. In a September 24 report, The Star quoted the Malaysian Medical Association on respiratory risks from prolonged haze exposure. That report advised limiting outdoor activity when air quality is very unhealthy.
The September 25 Malay Mail article presents expert commentary rather than results from a new clinical study. It provides no measured skin-aging outcomes or effect size. It also gives no exposure duration associated with the proposed aging risk, so it does not establish that a single haze episode will change someone’s appearance.
The report supplies no contemporaneous API reading, PM2.5 concentration or individual exposure data for Kuala Lumpur at publication. It therefore does not quantify the public’s actual exposure or the likelihood of a particular skin or eye outcome. The separate respiratory-health reporting does not independently establish the dermatological mechanisms discussed by the experts.
The API figures quoted in the skin report require particular care. Dr Nik Aimee said readings of 50 or above may trigger flare-ups in people with existing skin, hair or eye conditions. Readings of 100 or above were described as potentially causing dryness and irritation in the general population. These were reported expert observations, not official government skin-health standards supported by measurements in the article.
The report also did not test its suggested skincare ingredients or daily-care measures against haze exposure. Nor did it provide UV measurements or quantify a haze-related UV interaction for that episode. The practical advice should therefore be read as expert guidance, rather than as measured proof that a particular product prevents pollution-related damage.
The experts’ recommendations point toward ordinary care and exposure awareness. Their emphasis was on limiting outdoor exposure, avoiding harsh cleansing and maintaining moisturising and sunscreen use. The following priorities reflect that advice without turning it into a personalised treatment plan.
An October 8 Malay Mail report said Malaysia’s Department of Environment recommends its APIMS portal or MyJAS EQMS application for official hourly air-quality readings. The report explained that Malaysia’s national API incorporates six core pollutants. PM2.5 was described as the dominant driver during haze events.
For day-to-day decisions, the practical priority is to check official local air-quality information and follow public-health guidance as conditions worsen. An hourly reading is more relevant to current outdoor plans than a general news discussion about skin symptoms. The experts also advised limiting outdoor exposure and using air purifiers where available.
After time outdoors, the dermatologists advised washing the face and scalp gently. They specifically cautioned against harsh scrubbing. The emphasis was on gentle cleansing rather than an intensive attempt to remove pollution through friction.
For readers thinking about how scalp care fits into wider concerns, Younell’s discussion of cosmetic routines and medical evaluation offers a related perspective. Persistent irritation or worsening symptoms are reasons to seek individual guidance from a qualified clinician rather than relying on a general routine alone.
Moisturising and continuing daily sunscreen were central recommendations in the Malay Mail report. The sunscreen advice addressed the concern that people may skip sun protection when the sky looks hazy. Haze was not presented as a reason to abandon that part of everyday care.
Dr Low suggested moisturisers containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E were also mentioned. These were ingredient suggestions within the broader advice, rather than a shopping list that every reader needs to follow.
Dr Nik Aimee advised avoiding contact lenses during haze because particles may become trapped against the eye. The advice also included reducing screen time to limit additional eye strain and dryness.
For ongoing eye symptoms or persistent skin irritation, decisions are personal and belong with a qualified healthcare professional. The same applies to worsening eczema or other continuing symptoms. A news report offers general context, not an assessment of an individual’s condition.
The most useful next research question is how measured haze exposure relates to skin and scalp outcomes over time. Research could also examine whether specific routine-care approaches meaningfully change those outcomes, rather than simply recommending ingredients on biological grounds.
For now, the experts’ message supports a measured response: use official air-quality information and follow exposure-reduction advice. Keep cleansing gentle and maintain the basic care they recommended. That is a calmer foundation for looking and feeling well over time than treating a hazy day as a prediction about future appearance.
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