Today, air conditioning is not only a necessity for comfort but a lifeline during the hottest days of the summer months. Spending a considerable amount of time indoors with air conditioning is inevitable whether you are at work or in bed.Although being comfortable is priceless, your skin will be the first one to suffer from this convenience.
Your Dry Skin Is Caused By Air Conditioning
The main mechanism of how air conditioners work is cooling by lowering humidity. While this feature provides a pleasant temperature in your apartment or office, it results in dehydration of your skin.It means that your skin starts losing water much quicker than it would without air conditioning. Thus, it results in dehydration regardless of whether you have normal, oily or combination skin.One thing to note about dehydration is that it does not always appear as dry skin. Instead, dehydration may cause excessive sebum production to compensate for the water deficit. It leads to clogged pores and acne breakouts even if your skin is usually dry or oily.
The silent damage to your skin barrier
The skin barrier acts as your primary protection against external stressors. The barrier retains moisture within the skin while blocking irritants from penetrating. Frequent exposure to dry and air-conditioned environments will disrupt the protective function of this barrier. You will start noticing:● Increased sensitivity to skincare products.● Flakiness or roughness in certain areas.● Become more noticeable fine lines.● Irritation and redness.Long-term barrier dysfunction will increase your susceptibility to not only dryness but also pollution and UV rays exposure once you go outside.
Comfort and skin care balance strategy
It’s about adjusting your skincare regimen in order to fight these adverse effects of air conditioning rather than completely avoiding the latter.
Focus on deep hydration
Switch to lightweight moisturisers based on water that keep your skin hydrated without blocking your pores. For instance, components such as aloe vera and hyaluronic acid could be used for restoring moisture loss.Stack your skin care products.Apply a hydrating serum followed by a moisturiser. Layering ensures creating an extra protective barrier between your skin and drying indoor air.Have a facial mist always ready.Misting your skin helps to refresh it when being exposed to dry air for a long period of time.Skip over-exfoliation.Over-cleansing your face may lead to stripping your skin of its natural moisture. Choose products free of sulfates.Treat yourself with nighttime products.During nighttime, your skin works hard to repair itself. Night creams or oils that help restore the skin barrier and hydration are the best choice.
Simple adjustments that make a difference
Do not forget about internal hydration, meaning drinking enough water. Also, try not to position your desk near air conditioning units as dry air constantly blowing into your face could only make things worse. When you are going to be indoors for a long period of time, you might use a humidifier.While air conditioning may be your best friend during hot summers, it can silently harm your skin’s natural processes. To avoid this effect and still be able to enjoy air conditioning, learn how it affects your skin and adjust your routine.Inputs by Dr. Blossom Kochhar – Pioneer of Aroma Therapy in India and Chairperson of Blossom Kochhar
