How Does Humidity Affect Your Skin? by NUME-Lab Switzerland
As the weather warms up, many of us are looking forward to enjoying the benefits of summer. However, along with the sunshine and warmer temperatures often come high levels of humidity, which can have a significant impact on our skin.
There’s a bizarre relationship between skincare and weather. But, is humid weather all that bad? Or is it, in fact, good for our skin?
What the science says about it?
Table of Contents
What Exactly Is Humidity?
Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air. It’s a natural part of the Earth’s atmosphere that results from the evaporation of water from oceans, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water.
Humidity is often expressed as a percentage, known as relative humidity, which indicates how much moisture the air contains relative to its maximum capacity at a given temperature. Higher temperatures can hold more water vapor, which means warmer air tends to have higher humidity levels. The perfect examples of high-humidity environments are areas like tropical rainforests.
Fast Fact:
60 percent relative humidity is the ideal humidity to prevent dry skin, but achieving 30-40 percent humidity in the home may be a more practical goal. You can use a humidifier to increase the amount of moisture in the air, which in turn can decrease the feeling of dry skin. cit. Allina Health
How Does HIGH Humidity Affect Your Skin?
Let’s start by looking at all the effects of humid weather on our skin:
Increased Hydration and Moisturization
High humidity levels increase the hydration levels of your skin by slowing down water evaporation from the skin’s surface. This can benefit people with dry skin, as it helps to lock in moisture and improve skin texture.
Better Skin Cell Turnover
Humid weather provides better conditions for your skin to regenerate and shed dead skin cells at a faster rate. The results are smoother, brighter skin with fewer imperfections.
Anti-Aging Benefits
Thanks to your skin being more hydrated and moisturized, your skin will look more supple and plump. Wrinkles and fine lines are more visible on dehydrated skin. Luckily, humidity keeps your skin moisturized, giving you a youthful skin glow.
Skin Irritations
If you suffer from any skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, or bacterial or fungal infections, high humidity can trigger them or make them worse. Unfortunately, it’s not just your skin that loves humidity, but bacteria and microbes also – humid weather gives them the perfect conditions to grow and thrive.
Excess Sebum Production
On the other end of the spectrum, humidity does have downsides, one of them being excess oil production. If you have acne-prone skin or oilier skin in general, humid weather can cause clogged pores or acne breakouts.
How Does LOW Humidity Affect Your Skin?
When we talk about humidity, we cannot fail to mention that also too low levels of humidity aren’t good for your skin either. Here are all the skin effects you might experience in cold and dry weather:
Dry Skin and Flakiness
Low humidity levels can cause water to evaporate from your skin at a faster rate, leading to dryness and flaky skin. This is because the dry air draws moisture from the skin, leaving it dehydrated and rough.
Slower Skin Cell Turnover
Dead cell buildup is a common issue with dry weather conditions, as low humidity makes it more difficult for skin cells to shed properly
Itching and Skin Irritation
Dry weather can also cause itching and irritation, particularly for people with sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema. This is because the lack of moisture in the air can make the skin more susceptible to inflammation.
More Visible Fine Lines and Wrinkles
When your skin is dehydrated due to low humidity, it can lead to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is because the lack of moisture causes the skin to lose its elasticity, making wrinkles more visible on aging skin.
Damaged Skin Barrier
Low humidity can make your skin more sensitive to environmental factors like wind and pollution. This is because the skin’s protective barrier is weakened when it’s dehydrated, making it more vulnerable to damage from external stressors.
Skincare for Humid Weather: Best Practices
Some of the best skincare practices for the perfect humid weather skincare routine:
1
Cleanse Twice a Day
Cleansing your skin regularly is important in humid weather to remove sweat, dirt, and excess oil. Use a gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils, and avoid over-cleansing, which can lead to dryness and irritation.
2
Exfoliate Regularly Using AHAs or BHAs
Regular exfoliation can help to remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores in humid weather. However, be gentle with your skin and avoid harsh scrubs that can cause irritation. Opt for a chemical exfoliant with ingredients like AHAs or BHAs, which can gently exfoliate without causing damage.
The NUME-Lab Switzerland Resurfacing Night Peel Serum could be the perfect product for humid weather exfoliation otherwise check directly with your beautician that knows your skin the best.
3
Use Light and Water-Based Products
In humid weather, it’s important to use lightweight, oil-free products that won’t clog your pores or contribute to excess oil production. Look for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin that can help to hydrate your skin without feeling heavy, such as the Advanced Renewal Face Cream (with hyaluronic acid and snail mucin extract).
4
Avoid Oily Products and Heavy Makeup
In humid weather, heavy makeup can smudge, smear, and clog your pores. Opt for lightweight, oil-free makeup that won’t contribute to excess oil production. If possible, skip the foundation altogether. The same goes for comedogenic products that can also clog pores and cause acne breakouts!
5
Apply SPF Regularly
Even on cloudy days, UV rays can penetrate the skin and cause damage. To protect your skin from sun damage, use a lightweight, oil-free sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Reapply every two hours if you’re sweating.
6
Stay Hydrated and Eat Well
Drinking plenty of water to keep your body and skin hydrated is crucial in humid and hot weather where we sweat more than usual. Additionally, eating a diet rich in anti-aging foods can also help keep your skin looking youthful.
7
Use Clean Beauty Cosmetics with Best Quality Ingredients
Our last piece of advice is perhaps the most important one – always use clean beauty skincare cosmetics that contain quality, non-toxic ingredients. When you read the label, avoid any product that contains parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oils, formaldehyde, DEA, TEA, MEA, methylisothiazolinone, alumina, or derivatives.
Your skin is your biggest organ, and as such, it absorbs each and every ingredient. So, avoid exposing it to such toxins and use sustainable, clean products instead.
Final Verdict: Is Humidity Good for Your Skin?
Yes! Although your skincare regime will need adjusting, the moisture in humid air is healthier for the skin since it keeps it hydrated and prevents it from drying out, as it’s the case with cold and dry weather, for instance. As a result, moisturized skin tends to look more youthful and has fewer signs of aging and wrinkles.
However, if you have naturally oily skin, you should be careful with high humidity levels as they might make your skin even oilier. Even in this case, avoid overdrying your skin. Instead, try using lighter, water-based, non-comedogenic products. Or, increase the times you exfoliate and use AHAs or BHAs.
