Happy Home, Happy Skin

Understanding the Link Between Your Home and Skin Health

Your home environment plays a bigger role in skin health than you might think. Factors like air quality, humidity levels, cleaning products, and even the materials in your furniture can influence your skin barrier and overall complexion. Creating a skin-friendly home helps minimise irritants, reduce inflammation, and maintain a healthy glow.

How This Can Present on Skin

Household Chemicals: Harsh cleaning products with synthetic fragrances or alcohols can irritate the skin, leading to dryness, itching, or flare-ups.

Dry Air: Central heating and air conditioning can deplete moisture, contributing to dry, flaky, or tight-feeling skin.

Hard Water: Mineral-rich water may leave residues on the skin that disrupt the barrier and increase sensitivity.

Allergens: Dust mites, mould, and pet dander in soft furnishings can trigger flare-ups, especially in sensitive or eczema-prone skin.

Fabric Irritants: Synthetic, non-breathable materials in clothing or bedding can trap heat and irritate the skin.

Synthetic Fragrances: VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from candles, diffusers, sprays, and other fragranced products can contribute to oxidative stress and skin reactivity.

Damp and Mould: Poor ventilation and hidden damp patches can harbour mould spores, which may aggravate both skin and respiratory health.

Tips for Creating a Skin-Friendly Home

Choose Gentle Products
Opt for fragrance-free and skin-safe skincare, cleaning, and laundry products.
✅ Backed by: Allergy UK – recommends avoiding irritants and synthetic fragrances to help protect sensitive or allergy-prone skin.

Support Air Moisture Levels
In colder months, central heating can dry out the air, which may lead to dry, irritated skin. Open windows briefly, dry laundry indoors, or place a bowl of water near radiators to help.
✅ Backed by: NHS – Dry Skin – acknowledges dry indoor air can worsen dry skin.
⚠ Note: Humidifiers may help, but guidance varies, especially for those with eczema or asthma.

Filter Your Water
Consider a shower or tap filter to reduce the effects of hard water, which may disrupt the skin barrier.
🔍 Some support from: dermatologists and eczema support charities like Eczema Outreach Support.

Wash Soft Furnishings
Regularly clean bedding, pillows, and curtains to reduce allergens like dust mites.
✅ Backed by: Allergy UK – highlights dust mites as common skin irritants and eczema triggers.

Switch to Natural Materials
Choose natural breathable fabrics like cotton or linen for clothing and bedding to reduce irritation.
✅ Backed by: National Eczema Society – recommends natural fibres for sensitive or eczema-prone skin.

Limit Synthetic Scents
Avoid candles, sprays, and diffusers with artificial fragrance; choose natural or fragrance-free alternatives.
✅ Backed by: Allergy UK – synthetic scents are common indoor allergens and can aggravate sensitive skin.

Address Damp and Mould
Keep your home well-ventilated and address signs of damp promptly, as mould can release irritants that affect both skin and respiratory health.
✅ Backed by: UK Government - highlights the health risks of damp indoor environments and offers practical steps for prevention.

Need Extra Support?

Improving your home environment doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Start small by researching eco-friendly products, or allergy-proofing guides for practical advice. Even small changes at home can make a big difference to your skin. Take it one step at a time. A qualified skin therapist, such as a corneotherapist - trained in skin barrier care, can provide tailored skincare advice to support your skin barrier and promote long term resilience.

Disclaimer

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the information in this leaflet is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional advice.

Version: [March / 2025]

© 2025 Jacqui de Jager | The Skin Well™ & The Happy Skin Clinic®
All rights reserved. This leaflet is for personal use and education only. It may not be reproduced, distributed, or adapted without written permission.