Pay attention to humidity! Skin care in June

It's been almost a year and a half since we started our new lifestyle of "with corona". This is the first time in my life that I've had to wear a mask for such a long period of time. I can only hope that the progress of our last hope, "vaccination", will lead to the acquisition of herd immunity. In 2021, the rainy season in western Japan began earlier than usual, and the rainy season will soon be in full swing nationwide. In this article, we will give you some tips on "skin care according to the weather and skin environment in June".

June's unique skin condition

Last year, in June 2020, the rainy season in the Kanto-Koshinetsu region began on June 11th and ended on August 1st. The humidity was noteworthy, with 25 days over 70% and 18 days over 80%. There is an "uncomfortable index" that indicates how uncomfortable humidity is, but it is also affected by temperature and wind levels, and there are individual differences in how it is felt. Many people imagine the rainy season as a "humid season," with more opportunities to sweat and more uncomfortable days. Here, we will understand the skin environment unique to June!

1. Sweat and sebum attack your skin
On hot, humid days when you feel damp, you probably notice that you sweat even when you're just standing still, and that your sweat production increases.
Sweating is necessary for the body to regulate body temperature and eliminate waste products, but as the temperature rises, the amount of sebum secreted also increases, and the mixture of sweat and sebum is a major enemy to the skin.

Benefits of sweating: ● Regulating body temperature ● Eliminating waste products ● Eliminating fatigue substances ● Feeling refreshed and relieving stress

Disadvantages of sweat: Lack of minerals due to excretion. Bad odor and breakouts due to oxidation, putrefaction, and bacterial growth of sweat. Skin problems due to excreted sodium (salt).

In addition, as temperatures rise, the amount of sebum secreted also increases, so when you sweat, dirt will mix with the sebum. Be sure to wipe it off frequently and wash it off with face wash to prevent skin problems caused by sweat and sebum.

2. Skin problems caused by air conditioning
Air conditioning and dehumidification reduce indoor humidity by around 20%. The optimal humidity for skin is said to be 50-60%, so the drop in humidity caused by air conditioning causes skin to dry out all at once. Even though the air outside is humid, the air conditioning in the car or indoors can make your skin as dry as in winter, and the fluctuating humidity levels throughout the day can be stressful for your skin. Be mindful of moisturizing care as a countermeasure.
Temperature changes caused by air conditioners can also be a cause of skin problems. Be sure to adjust the temperature setting of your air conditioner frequently so that you don't feel cold.

3. Sunlight irradiation on a sunny day is at its maximum value
This year's summer solstice is on June 21st. This is the month when the daylight hours are the longest of the year and the amount of sunlight reaches its peak. Because it is during the rainy season, there are many cloudy and rainy days, and the average amount of sunlight seems to be short in this month, but the amount of sunlight on sunny days is the highest throughout the year, so thorough measures to protect yourself from sunlight are essential.

With rising temperatures, high humidity, sweating, and increased sebum secretion, this is a time when skin care needs to be improved as the environment changes daily.

We've brought you skin care tips for June's weather and skin conditions!
In the next issue, I would like to give you some tips on skin care for the height of summer.