Why Are Acne and Rosacea More Common Near Coastal Climates Like San Diego?

Author: Dr. Mahshid Mireskandari, Doctor of Chinese Medicine

Skin conditions such as acne and rosacea are among the most common concerns treated by holistic health practitioners and dermatology professionals in San Diego. While genetics, hormones, and lifestyle factors play a role, geography matters more than most people realize. Coastal climates introduce a unique mix of humidity, salt air, sun exposure, allergens, and environmental stressors that directly affect skin barrier function, inflammation, and microbial balance. From a holistic healthcare perspective, these external factors interact with physical health, nervous system regulation, and immune response, which helps explain why acne and rosacea appear more frequently or more persistently in coastal regions like San Diego.

This article explains the science behind how coastal environments influence skin conditions, why acne and rosacea behave differently near the ocean, and how a holistic approach focused on wellbeing—not just topical treatment—can support long-term skin health.

The Coastal Climate Factor: What Makes San Diego Different

San Diego’s climate is often described as ideal, but for skin health it presents several challenges. Average coastal humidity levels are higher than inland regions, and daily marine layers trap moisture and airborne particles close to the skin. Combined with year-round ultraviolet exposure, salt air, and fluctuating temperatures, these conditions can disrupt the skin’s protective barrier. When the barrier is compromised, the skin becomes more reactive, prone to inflammation, and vulnerable to bacteria and mites associated with acne and rosacea.

From a physical health standpoint, chronic low-grade environmental stress places ongoing demand on the immune system. Over time, this stress can contribute to inflammatory skin conditions that are difficult to manage with conventional approaches alone. Holistic healthcare looks at these environmental inputs as constant signals affecting the whole body, not isolated skin events.

Humidity and Its Role in Acne Development

Humidity is one of the most overlooked contributors to acne in coastal regions. Higher moisture levels increase sweat production and sebum output, particularly in individuals already prone to oily or combination skin. Excess moisture on the skin surface creates an ideal environment for Cutibacterium acnes, the bacteria associated with inflammatory acne.

In humid climates like San Diego, pores are more likely to become congested due to a combination of sweat, oil, sunscreen use, and environmental pollutants. Research shows that acne prevalence is highest among adolescents and adults living in warm, humid regions, with studies estimating that acne affects approximately 85 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 24 ("Acne Vulgaris" – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

From a holistic health perspective, humidity-related acne is not only a surface issue. Increased sweating can alter electrolyte balance and impact the skin’s microbiome. Stress related to heat and discomfort also activates cortisol pathways, which are known to increase oil production and worsen acne severity. Addressing acne in coastal climates requires attention to internal regulation, hydration status, and nervous system balance—not just cleansing routines.

Salt Air, Pollution, and Barrier Disruption

Salt air is often perceived as beneficial for skin, but chronic exposure can be drying and irritating. Salt particles settle on the skin, drawing moisture out of the epidermis and weakening the lipid barrier. Once the barrier is compromised, transepidermal water loss increases, and inflammatory responses become more pronounced.

In San Diego, coastal air also contains a mix of urban pollution, pollen, and marine particulates. These airborne irritants adhere to damp skin, increasing oxidative stress and triggering immune reactions. For individuals with rosacea, this is particularly problematic. Rosacea is characterized by vascular sensitivity and chronic inflammation, and environmental triggers are a primary driver of flare-ups.

According to the National Institutes of Health, rosacea affects an estimated 16 million Americans, with environmental factors such as heat, sun, wind, and humidity consistently identified as major triggers ("Rosacea: Pathophysiology and Treatment" – National Institutes of Health).

Sun Exposure and Vascular Inflammation

Year-round sun exposure is one of the most significant contributors to rosacea severity in coastal climates. Ultraviolet radiation damages blood vessels, increases inflammatory cytokines, and weakens connective tissue in the skin. Unlike seasonal sun exposure in colder climates, San Diego residents experience cumulative UV exposure throughout the year, even on overcast days.

For individuals with rosacea, UV exposure worsens redness, flushing, and visible capillaries. For acne-prone individuals, sun exposure can temporarily dry lesions while increasing long-term inflammation and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This creates a cycle where skin appears improved short term but worsens over time.

From a holistic healthcare standpoint, sun-induced inflammation is a systemic issue. UV radiation activates immune pathways that affect the gut-skin axis and hormonal balance, both of which are critical to long-term skin wellbeing.

The Skin Microbiome in Coastal Environments

Healthy skin depends on a balanced microbiome. Coastal climates can disrupt this balance through constant moisture, salt exposure, and environmental microbes. When the microbiome shifts, pathogenic bacteria and mites gain dominance, increasing the risk of acne and rosacea flares.

Studies show that rosacea is associated with increased density of Demodex mites, which thrive in humid, oily environments. Acne, similarly, is linked to bacterial overgrowth in clogged follicles. These microbial changes are not isolated skin events; they reflect immune system activity and inflammatory load throughout the body.

Holistic health practitioners focus on supporting the microbiome both topically and internally. Nutrition, gut health, stress management, and appropriate skincare all influence microbial balance and overall wellbeing.

Stress, Cortisol, and Coastal Lifestyles

While San Diego promotes an active outdoor lifestyle, constant sun exposure, social demands, and high-performance expectations can contribute to chronic stress. Stress directly affects skin conditions through cortisol release, which increases oil production, slows wound healing, and amplifies inflammatory responses.

Research consistently shows that stress exacerbates both acne and rosacea by altering immune function and increasing neurogenic inflammation. The skin is closely connected to the nervous system, and chronic stress signals are often expressed through flare-ups, redness, and breakouts.

Holistic healthcare addresses this connection through therapies that regulate the nervous system and support emotional wellbeing alongside physical health. Without addressing stress physiology, topical treatments alone often fail to produce lasting results.

Why Acne and Rosacea Often Coexist in Coastal Regions

It is increasingly common for individuals in San Diego to experience both acne and rosacea simultaneously. This overlap reflects shared inflammatory pathways, barrier dysfunction, and vascular sensitivity. Humidity, sun exposure, and stress act as common triggers, while conventional treatments may worsen one condition while attempting to treat the other.

A holistic approach recognizes that skin conditions are expressions of systemic imbalance. Treating acne and rosacea together requires personalized care that considers environmental exposure, immune response, hormone regulation, and lifestyle factors.

According to a comprehensive review on skin barrier dysfunction and inflammation, impaired barrier integrity significantly increases susceptibility to chronic inflammatory skin conditions ("Skin Barrier Function and Environmental Stressors" – Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology).

Holistic Healthcare Approaches for Coastal Skin Conditions

Holistic healthcare focuses on restoring balance rather than suppressing symptoms. In coastal climates, this approach is especially relevant. Key strategies include supporting barrier repair, reducing systemic inflammation, regulating stress responses, and addressing underlying triggers.

Holistic health practitioners often integrate nutrition support, targeted supplementation, mind-body therapy, and non-invasive skin treatments. This whole-person approach improves physical health while enhancing long-term wellbeing. Instead of cycling through aggressive treatments, patients experience more stable skin and fewer flare-ups over time.

Why Location-Specific Care Matters in San Diego

Skin conditions do not exist in a vacuum. San Diego’s coastal environment requires a different approach than inland or colder climates. Effective care must account for humidity, UV exposure, salt air, and lifestyle patterns unique to coastal living.

Holistic healthcare clinics that understand these regional factors are better equipped to provide personalized care. By addressing environmental exposure alongside internal health, individuals experience more sustainable outcomes and improved skin resilience.

Understanding Coastal Skin Health Through a Holistic Lens

Acne and rosacea are more common and more persistent in coastal climates like San Diego because environmental stressors continuously challenge the skin’s barrier, immune function, and inflammatory balance. Humidity, sun exposure, salt air, and stress interact with physical health and nervous system regulation, creating conditions where flare-ups become chronic rather than occasional.

A holistic health approach recognizes that skin conditions reflect whole-body wellbeing. By addressing both external and internal contributors, individuals can achieve healthier, more stable skin while supporting long-term physical health.

Explore Holistic Skin Support at Saffron & Sage

At Saffron & Sage, we take a holistic healthcare approach to skin conditions rooted in science, environment, and whole-person wellbeing. Our team of experienced holistic health practitioners understands how San Diego’s coastal climate impacts acne, rosacea, and long-term skin health.

If you are experiencing persistent skin conditions and want care that goes beyond surface-level treatment, we invite you to learn more or schedule a consultation.

Contact Saffron & Sage at 619-933-2340 to explore personalized, integrative support designed for coastal living and lasting wellbeing.