Does smoking cigarettes accelerate skin aging?

Yes. Epidemiologic studies clearly indicate that smoking is an important extrinsic factor in accelerating aging of the skin. This is also support by animal studies and in vitro studies that have demonstrated that smoking increases the production of tropoelastin and matrix metalloproteinases, resulting in increased degradation of matrix proteins (e.g., collagen, elastic fibers) and abnormal production of abnormal elastotic material. Just another reason not to smoke!

Morita A: Tobacco smoke causes premature skin aging, J Dermatol Sci 48:169–175, 2007.