The Impact of Environmental Exposures on Cystic Acne: A Narrative Review
5 affiliations
- 1School of Medicine, , True Blue, St. George’s, Grenada; (M.U.); (L.A.); (R.H.)
- 2Sanford School of Medicine, , Vermillion, SD 57069, USA; (C.A.); (L.G.)
- 3College of Osteopathic Medicine, , East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
- 4College of Osteopathic Medicine, , Kansas City, MO 64106, USA;
- 5, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA;
Abstract
Cystic acne is a severe inflammatory dermatological condition traditionally associated with genetic, hormonal, and microbial factors. Although environmental exposures may contribute to acne pathogenesis, the role of airborne agricultural irritants remains underexplored. Agricultural environments contain a complex mixture of organic dusts, pesticides, fertilizers, volatile compounds, and animal-derived particulates that may influence skin barrier integrity and inflammatory responses. This narrative review examines the potential relationship between airborne agricultural exposures and cystic acne by integrating evidence from dermatology, environmental health, and immunology. Particular attention is given to mechanisms through which agricultural irritants may disrupt epidermal barrier proteins, including filaggrin and claudins; promote oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation; alter the cutaneous microbiome; and activate inflammatory signaling pathways, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and the NLRP3 inflammasome. These processes may contribute to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and IL-8, potentially amplifying inflammation within the pilosebaceous unit. The review also explores the possibility that chronic inhalation of agricultural aerosols may contribute to systemic immune activation and influence cutaneous inflammatory responses. While environmental and occupational exposures have been associated with inflammatory skin conditions, direct evidence linking airborne agricultural irritants specifically to cystic acne remains limited. This review highlights potential mechanistic connections, identifies gaps in the current literature, and emphasizes the need for further epidemiological and experimental research to clarify these associations. Understanding the relationship between agricultural airborne exposures and acne may inform future preventive strategies and occupational health considerations.
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BibTeX
@article{vaysman2026impact,
title = {{The Impact of Environmental Exposures on Cystic Acne: A Narrative Review}},
author = {Angela Vaysman and Morgan Ulczak and Carly Achterberg and Lucas Goetz and Luke Atwood and Reed Hildenbrant and Erin Hallman and Caitlyn Shaughnessy and Karen Vo},
journal = {Biomedicines},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/biomedicines14102381},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13702264},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Impact of Environmental Exposures on Cystic Acne: A Narrative Review
AU - Angela Vaysman
AU - Morgan Ulczak
AU - Carly Achterberg
AU - Lucas Goetz
AU - Luke Atwood
AU - Reed Hildenbrant
AU - Erin Hallman
AU - Caitlyn Shaughnessy
AU - Karen Vo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Biomedicines
DO - 10.3390/biomedicines14102381
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13702264
AB - Cystic acne is a severe inflammatory dermatological condition traditionally associated with genetic, hormonal, and microbial factors. Although environmental exposures may contribute to acne pathogenesis, the role of airborne agricultural irritants remains underexplored. Agricultural environments contain a complex mixture of organic dusts, pesticides, fertilizers, volatile compounds, and animal-derived particulates that may influence skin barrier integrity and inflammatory responses. This narrative review examines the potential relationship between airborne agricultural exposures and cystic acne by integrating evidence from dermatology, environmental health, and immunology. Particular attention is given to mechanisms through which agricultural irritants may disrupt epidermal barrier proteins, including filaggrin and claudins; promote oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation; alter the cutaneous microbiome; and activate inflammatory signaling pathways, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and the NLRP3 inflammasome. These processes may contribute to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and IL-8, potentially amplifying inflammation within the pilosebaceous unit. The review also explores the possibility that chronic inhalation of agricultural aerosols may contribute to systemic immune activation and influence cutaneous inflammatory responses. While environmental and occupational exposures have been associated with inflammatory skin conditions, direct evidence linking airborne agricultural irritants specifically to cystic acne remains limited. This review highlights potential mechanistic connections, identifies gaps in the current literature, and emphasizes the need for further epidemiological and experimental research to clarify these associations. Understanding the relationship between agricultural airborne exposures and acne may inform future preventive strategies and occupational health considerations.
SN - 2227-9059
ER -