Haze and Your Skin: Can the Smoke Make Dark Spots Worse?

The Klang Valley sky has looked grey and smoky for weeks, and you smell it the moment you step out to wait for your Grab. If you have started wondering about haze and skin, especially the dark spots on your cheeks, you are not alone.

When we talk about haze and skin, we mean what smoke-filled air (tiny particles and gases from burning forests and peat) may do to your face on top of our usual sun. The short answer: haze does not switch off UV, and both pollution and UV are linked to pigment spots. So everyday habits matter more now.

What the latest haze news says

On 21 October, Malay Mail reported that 22 of the country's 68 monitoring stations were still in the Unhealthy band (API 101 to 200) that morning, based on Department of Environment data. Bukit Rambai in Melaka topped the list at 174. Most stations in Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, KL and Johor sat above 150.

This is not a short spell. Smoke from forest fires in Indonesia has drifted over Malaysia since early August, and by late August 19 stations had already hit Unhealthy levels while the Ministry of Health urged people to cut back on outdoor activities.

Haze and skin: why dark spots come into the picture

Haze is largely fine particulate matter, a pollutant dermatologists have studied closely. A review by dermatologists in India describes how these particles can reach skin cells, create oxidative stress and nudge pigment cells to make more melanin. UV on top appears to make the effect stronger.

For many of us, UV is already the main driver of uneven tone. DermNet explains that sunlight, both UV and visible light, prompts skin to make more pigment, and that melasma is most common in people with naturally brown skin that tans easily, which describes many Malaysian women. Put haze and skin that already sees strong sun all year together, and your cheeks deserve extra care this season.

Does haze block the sun? Not the UV

A hazy day feels dimmer, so skipping sunscreen is tempting, but haze is not a sunshade. MetMalaysia notes that light, thin cloud does little to cut UV and can even raise it through scattering, and that places near the equator, like ours, get higher UV levels.

So the haze and skin rule is simple: the school run, a kopitiam lunch outdoors or a motorbike ride to work still calls for sun protection.

What to do about haze and skin this week

1. Keep daily sunscreen non-negotiable

Apply SPF50 every morning, smoky sky or clear, as the final step of your routine. Cover face, neck and ears, and top up around midday if you will be outside. Treat it as a daily haze and skin habit, not something saved for Langkawi beach weekends.

2. Wash the day off gently

Once home, cleanse with a mild face wash and lukewarm water to lift the grime, sweat and sunscreen from hours in smoky air. Skip harsh scrubs and very hot water. Rubbing an irritated face leaves it red and blotchy, not cleaner, so keep your haze and skin routine gentle.

3. Moisturise morning and night

Windows shut and aircond running all day can leave skin tight, even in our humidity. A simple moisturiser keeps your skin barrier comfortable while it deals with smoke and sun. Pat it on while your face is still slightly damp after washing.

4. Cut outdoor time when the API is high

Check the DOE's hourly API readings before heading out, and move jogs or pasar malam trips to better-air days. Fewer hours outside means less smoke and UV on your face, a quick win for haze and skin alike. High-risk groups should follow official advice on masks and staying indoors.

5. Add shade with a hat, umbrella or sleeves

A wide-brimmed hat or umbrella reduces the sun reaching your cheeks while you wait at the LRT station. Light long sleeves help on motorbike rides. These layers work together with sunscreen and are the easiest haze and skin habit to start today.

When a dark spot needs a doctor

Haze or no haze, please see a doctor or dermatologist if a spot grows, changes colour or shape, bleeds or itches. A dermatologist can also suggest stronger options if pigmentation bothers you. For a full routine, see our guide to skin care during haze with 6 simple habits.

Want your sunscreen to do more for dark spots?

Daily SPF is the habit dermatologists keep coming back to for dark spots — but it only works if you actually wear it every day.

Hishin Colostrum Whitening Sunscreen is an SPF50 PA++++ sunscreen made for Malaysian weather, notified with NPRA (NOT230303172K). It combines:

• New Zealand colostrum yeast extract — rich in amino acids, helping keep skin moisturised and the look of dark spots fading over time
• Japanese black tea (Wakoucha) extract — with vitamin B3 to support a smoother, more even-looking tone
• Citrus extract with vitamin C — an antioxidant that supports skin's collagen

The white cream spreads clear without a white cast, sets in about 30 seconds and holds up to sweat. Twist off the gold cap, squeeze some onto your palm and spread it evenly over your face, neck and arms as the last step of your morning routine.

It works alongside the habits above — shade, hats and reapplying — not instead of them.

The bottom line

Haze and skin is a two-part story: the smoke itself, and the UV that still gets through on grey days. You cannot control the API, but you can control your habits, from daily sunscreen and gentle cleansing to moisturiser and shade. Start with one or two this week, and keep them after the haze clears.

Try Hishin Colostrum Whitening Sunscreen →

Individual results vary. Hishin Colostrum Whitening Sunscreen is a cosmetic product and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any skin condition. If you have a persistent or changing skin spot, please see a doctor or dermatologist.