Our skin acts as a two-way barrier, protecting the internal body from external elements and preventing the excessive outward passage of water and electrolytes. Moving from an air-conditioned indoors to a warm and humid outdoors, from a cool morning to a hot afternoon sun—changes in air and temperature, even subtle ones, can affect your skin’s barrier function. While it’s well known that cold weather conditions can dry out skin, and long-term exposure to UV rays can damage skin, people are generally not aware of the effects hot weather and humidity can have on skin.

As a permeable barrier, skin needs to have the right level of moisture and the right pH balance on the topmost layers to stay balanced and healthy. A hydrolipid film composed of moisture and natural oils (fatty acids and lipids), with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5, protects and covers the skin’s surface, helping keep the right amount of moisture in and damaging bacteria out. The right balance of moisture is preserved by water supplied from skin’s deeper layers and by keeping the right level of moisture on the skin’s surface.

In high humidity, the skin’s production of natural moisturizing oils is reduced. This can lead to dryness, inflammation and skin flaking. When the air is humid and the temperature is also high, our skin becomes more permeable, allowing more moisture to escape.

CARE & TREATMENT

It helps to have a good daily skincare regimen that keeps skin clean while maintaining the right moisture and skin pH balance. Most soap has a higher pH level than skin’s surface pH, which can lead to dryness, itchiness and flaking over time. Opt for face and body washes that are non-irritating and that have lipid-replenishing ingredients, like vegetable and fruit oils. Keep your bath water lukewarm, since hot water can dry out skin. After your bath or shower, while skin is still damp, apply a gentle, effective daily moisturizer to keep moisture in and irritants out.

The information provided herein is not intended to be medical advice. Nor is it intended to treat the underlying skin disease or condition. The information is provided solely to:

1. Improve the appearance of the skin or 
2. Achieve healthier looking skin