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March marks the beginning of "spring" on the calendar. For the general public, it is the month when the fiscal year ends, and companies announce personnel transfers in preparation for April. For students, it is graduation season, and people move before entering or joining a company. It is a month that brings to mind images of "farewells" before new encounters. The second state of emergency declaration in major metropolitan areas is being gradually lifted, and it would be nice to be able to say goodbye to the coronavirus, but life "with the coronavirus" with various restrictions and conditions will continue.
This time, we will give you some tips on skin care to keep in mind as your skin awakens from hibernation in spring.
Skin stress in March attacks hibernating skin
Skin that has been through the winter can be described as in a state of hibernation, prone to dryness, and a reduced metabolic function due to reduced blood flow caused by the cold, resulting in a weakened resistance to various skin stresses. Here we will understand the skin stresses that occur in March.
Pollen, yellow dust, PM2.5
March is when pollen season really begins. Yellow sand and the pollutant PM2.5, which reach Japan on the westerly winds from mainland China, also tend to occur more frequently between March and May. PM2.5 in particular is an extremely small polluting particle that is about 1/10 the size of cedar pollen. These particles are the cause of rough skin. It would be great if wearing a mask could help alleviate some of this stress...
As a countermeasure, use gentle and thorough cleansing and washing to carefully wash away pollen and other polluting particles that attack the skin. Also, use products that contain ceramides or other barrier functions.
Temperature difference & dryness
Looking back at the weather data for Tokyo last year (March 2020), the maximum temperature was 24.6°C, the minimum temperature was 0.7°C, and the minimum humidity was 18% .
March is a month where the temperature changes continuously, but it is getting steadily warmer. However, the temperature difference is the largest in the year, and the dryness continues. Skin that has been hibernating due to the temperature difference and dryness reacts sensitively to this, causing various skin problems.
Be mindful to thoroughly moisturize your skin, and aim to prevent dry skin and restore the natural strength of your skin to withstand the stress of temperature changes.
Ultraviolet and near infrared
From March, the amount of UV rays (both UVA and UVB) starts to increase, and cosmetics manufacturers start to take measures to whiten skin and strengthen UV protection. Although the amount of UV rays itself is moderate, skin that has spent the winter has a weakened barrier function and is therefore sensitive to UV rays. Also, since the warmth of sunlight is caused by infrared rays, it is also necessary to be aware of near-infrared rays. UVB causes blemishes on the epidermis, UVA causes wrinkles in the dermis, and near-infrared causes sagging of the subcutaneous tissue. It is necessary to take measures against so-called photoaging.
Regardless of the weather, be sure to use a sunscreen product every day that protects against not only ultraviolet rays but also near-infrared rays.
We have introduced skin care tips to keep in mind as your skin awakens from hibernation in spring.
Next time, I would like to give you some tips on skin care for the spring.
