This year, the rainy season seems to have started earlier than usual, but even during the rainy season, it will be different from what we've seen in the past, with temperature differences, sunny, cloudy, and rainy weather, and other rapid changes. In terms of June, Father's Day is on Sunday, June 18th. On Wednesday, June 21st, we will reach the summer solstice, the longest time of the year between sunrise and sunset. This time, we will focus on "humidity" when it comes to skin care during this time until the rainy season ends.
June is the rainy season, "Humidity and Skin Care"
Looking back at the amount of precipitation and humidity in Tokyo in June of last year, we can see that precipitation after the rainy season began was extremely light, except for the heavy rain on June 6th, and the conditions could be described as a dry rainy season.
Meanwhile, humidity rose on days when moist air flowed in, regardless of rainfall, and there were 16 days in which humidity exceeded 80%. There is a concept called the discomfort index, which indicates the correlation between temperature and humidity and how it affects human body sensations, and humidity levels of over 80% can be said to be at a level that causes discomfort and the so-called "humid" feeling.
1. What is the optimal humidity for skin?
For skin that needs moisturizing, it is better for the humidity level to be high. On the other hand, many people have been suffering from skin problems such as rough skin due to wearing masks for several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the humidity inside the mask is said to be 80-90%. For example, in Tokyo last year, on days when the humidity exceeded 80%, it could be said that the condition was like covering the entire face with a mask. While high humidity is good for the skin in terms of moisturizing and hydrating, a stuffy state with sweat trapped inside is bad for the skin as it creates an environment where mold and bacteria can easily grow. Compared to the humidity during the rainy season, a humidity level of around 60-70% is probably a humidity environment that is not stressful for the skin.
2. Dryness and coldness caused by air conditioning
In addition to the high humidity outside, the use of air conditioners indoors and in offices has become widespread, making humidity and skin care more complicated. Skin care during this time of year also requires measures against the dryness and cold caused by air conditioning.
Drying due to air conditioning
Adjusting the indoor temperature with an air conditioner, whether for cooling or heating, reduces the humidity inside the room. With the air conditioning season approaching summer, it is said that the humidity environment inside the room and inside the car will drop to about 40%. In other words, the humidity inside the room and inside the car in an air-conditioned environment will be at the same level as in the dry winter season. The temperature and humidity of air have the following basic properties.
●High temperature ⇒ The air can store more moisture.
●Low temperature ⇒ The air can store less moisture.
Air conditioners always have a drain pipe attached to the outdoor unit. When the air conditioner cools the air inside the room, the water flowing from the drain pipe indicates that the moisture in the air that can no longer be stored is being discharged. In other words, using the air conditioner makes the room increasingly dry, which leads to dry skin.
"Coldness caused by air conditioning"
In the hot summer, our bodies naturally change to suppress heat generation and expand capillaries to dissipate heat. We also try to lower our body temperature by sweating. On the other hand, in an air-conditioned room, the capillaries are open, so we dissipate too much heat and become cold. The temperature difference with the outside causes autonomic nerve disorders, making it difficult to regulate body temperature and sweat, leading to a decrease in resistance. As a result, we are attacked by various air-conditioning illnesses such as chills, fatigue, headaches, loss of appetite, and insomnia. Since skin condition and physical condition are inseparably linked, coldness caused by air conditioning can lead to skin problems, rough skin, irregular skin turnover, dullness, and accelerated skin aging.
A beauty lifestyle that focuses on and controls humidity
1. Removes dirt caused by high humidity and sweating
When you get home, cleanse and wash your face. It is important to carefully and gently wash off the makeup and sebum stains on the surface of your skin that are mixed with sweat due to the high humidity and sweating that occurs during the rainy season. This also helps prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.
2. Protects skin from cold and dryness caused by air conditioning
To protect yourself from the cold, carry a cardigan or other clothing that you can easily put on. Also, get used to setting your air conditioner at home to a higher temperature. This will also help you save money on your electricity bill, which has been rising steadily.
"Dryness" As a countermeasure, we recommend carrying a mini bottle that can spray lotion into a mist on your face when you go out as a simple way to replenish moisture. When you get home, be sure to use moisturizing gel or cream to care for the dry conditions indoors.
We have brought you "Skin care in June with an awareness of humidity"! The next topic will be "Skin care to prepare for summer fatigue".
