Living organisms are continuously exposed to environmental pollutants. Because of its critical location, the skin is a major interface between the body and the environment and provides a biological barrier against an array of chemical and physical environmental pollutants. Due to the constant exposure to oxidants including ultraviolet (UV) radiation and other environmental pollutants such as diesel fuel exhaust, cigarette smoke (CS), halogenated hydrocarbons, heavy metals and O3 the skin can be defined as our first defense against the outdoor environment. The exposure to environmental pro-oxidant agents leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species and the generation of bioactive molecule able to damage skin cells. This review is a brief overview on the actual knowledge on the effect and mechanisms of action of CS, O3 and UV on cutanous tissues.