For many, baring skin is the reason for the summer season. Whether you call it dewy, glassy, or glowy, we know you want your skin to be it. But does your skin really put forward its best face in the summer, or is it just a trick of the seasonal light? We’re here to walk you through the research and figure out if summer really is the best season for your skin, and how to take the best care of your body’s largest organ year round.
My skin is an organ?
Yep! And not only is the skin our largest organ, but it's also our heaviest—and is essential to the overall health and wellness of the body.
We have three layers to our skin, which all serve their own functions:
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The epidermis is the “waterproof”, outermost layer that we are usually thinking about when it comes to the appearance of our skin. It creates our skin cells, gives our skin our color, and protects our body from the elements and pathogens.
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The dermis is the middle layer, acting as the connective tissue that protects our body from the physical stress and strain that our skin comes into contact with daily. This section also produces sweat and oil, grows hair, delivers blood through our skin and enables us to feel sensation.
- The hypodermis, also known as subcutaneous tissue, is the deepest layer. Well, technically, the hypodermis not part of our skin, but it does the important job of attaching our skin to our muscles and bones and connects the nerves and blood to the above skin layers.
Seasons of Skin
It can feel like we go from lizard-like, scaly skin in winter to a goddess glow-up in summer. But that seasonal skin transition certainly isn’t magic, or even just because we’re beaming from within after trading in that parka for a polka dot bikini. Our skin is scientifically affected by the season and the various climates we experience within each of them.
Winter Wasteland
In the winter, humidity drops and reduces the moisture in the air, and wind, cranked-up heating and hot showers can strip our skin of its naturally-hydrating oils. The dry skin this leads to is not only often uncomfortable, but as it sheds it can clog our pores and lead to irritation or acne.
It doesn’t help that winter's harsh conditions and dry skin form a troubling alliance: cracked, weakened skin allows harmful microorganisms—like bacteria and viruses—to bypass our first line of defense, leading to infections. In turn, these winter illnesses further weaken our immune system, depleting resources, while abrasive tissues strip away even more moisture from our already delicate facial skin.
But don’t stress, there are several ways to combat dry skin! Experts recommend:
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Staying hydrated. After all, female bodies are roughly 55% water, so it’s extra important to drink up in drier months.
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Using topical moisturizers and lotions. Water isn’t the only way to hydrate your skin, so applying moisturizer after you bathe can keep your skin feeling soft.
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Using a humidifier. If your indoor space stays dry, a humidifier can help your skin retain moisture.
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Turning down the temp when you bathe—hot water can strip away your skin’s natural oils faster than lukewarm water.
- Using SPF in your skincare routine. We recommend habitualizing SPF daily, no matter the season.
Stunner Summer
Ever winter’s opposite, summer often brings increased levels of humidity in the air, so we are less inclined to subject our skin to indoor heating or extra hot showers. During hotter seasons, we tend to take more showers or dips in cool water, which has special benefits for the skin including improved circulation, tightened pores and reduced puffiness.
Additionally, sweating more in the heat can positively reduce redness, puffiness, and swelling. Increased sweat can help to unclog pores and push out the impurities that cause acne. And as if that wasn’t enough, a healthy amount of time spent in the sun can increase your levels of vitamin D, with studies showing that increased vitamin D can lead to decreased acne and boost your mood and immune system.
That said, experts also have recommendations to grab that summer glow and hold on to it:
- Wear sunscreen and strike the right balance of reaping the immediate acne-busting benefits of UV light without taking a long-term gamble with your skin's health.
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Keep your skincare routine simple, don’t over-exfoliate—and if you do happen to get some pesky pimples, don’t pick at them. Too much exfoliation will dry out your skin, and picking pimples can cause infection, inflammation and even scarring.
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Avoid over-washing your face, which can strip the skin of natural oils. Try alternating between washing and gently towel drying to help remove dirt and grime without fully stripping away those moisturizing oils.
- Instead of risking long-term skin damage with long tanning sessions in the sun, try professional spray tanning or at-home tanning products to get bronzed without burning.
- Change out of sweaty clothing ASAP and avoid tight, synthetic clothing. As we’ve discussed before, synthetic fibers “lock” moisture in, and staying in sweaty clothes can trap sweat and bacteria in your pores, clogging them and causing acne on your back, chest, and other areas.
Glow On, Girl
Now that you understand the science behind your skin and how to protect it while enjoying that special seasonal glow, you're ready to shine through summer's end and beyond. Just remember, proper use of SPF is key to keeping that glow going strong.
